Page 102 of The Woman with the Target on her Back (Grassi Family)

“Nothing would keep you in the car if it was your father and friend in there,” I reminded him.

“It looks kind of dead,” Aurelio said.

“It’s pretty prime-time for the dealers to be out,” I said, knowing their schedule better than these guys did.

“Still, we’re likely to be outnumbered,” August said. “Gotta stay sharp.”

We moved as silently as possible through an alley between buildings, coming up to the aforementioned broken fence.

It didn’t escape me that everyone tensed by the moment.

August gave Milo and Aurelio a nod, and each took off in different directions. He reached for me, placing me behind him.

Then we moved forward.

To the back door.

We couldn’t speak, but I swore I could feel the mix of confusion and unease when the handle just… pushed inward without resistance.

Maybe they didn’t have to worry about security. And I imagined the dealers had to come and go often to get more supply and drop off money.

Still, my stomach twisted itself in a million little knots as August took a deep breath, then opened the door.

“Well well well… look who finally figured it out,” a voice called as soon as we moved into the big, open space.

One where my father was strung up with chains from his wrists, his toes barely touching the ground.

Beaten.

Bloodied.

With Uncle Stan at one side.

And Sheryl at the other.

Not chained.

Not harmed.

And wearing the most hollow-eyed, evil smile I’d ever seen…

CHAPTER NINETEEN

August

I was glad the second we were inside that I hadn’t decided that we all go in at once.

Sure, maybe they had cameras and would see Milo and Aurelio coming too, but if they didn’t, at least we had an element of surprise.

They were smart.

They would wait for the right opportunity to move in and help.

The space was long and mostly empty, save for some folding tables lined against the walls, piled high with cash and drugs.

But there was no one else around.

They were either out dealing like Traveler thought. Or Stan and Sheryl didn’t want witnesses to their torture and possible murder of the chief of police.

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