Page 65 of Poisoned Pawn

I take a moment to think over everything I heard. “Is that how you were hired to kill me?”

His eyes flick over to me. “No.” He raises a hand and rubs it down his face. “I haven’t worked for the Shadow Guard for several years. But the man I killed in your house was a Shadow, and I’m certain that the man who tried to shoot you outside Neon Flux was also a Shadow.”

I frown. “How do you know they were Shadows?

“It’s not hard for one Shadow to recognise another Shadow. We are all trained the same way.”

“And the men at Gambino’s?”

“No, those were not Shadows. The bounty on you was posted while you were sitting at the table.”

Carter’s phone pings with a message, which flashes up on the screen.

Koda:

I have an address.

Carter reads the message as I do, then puts his foot down.

“He was in the restaurant?” I ask, keeping my eyes on Carter as he changes lanes. He nods.

My mind goes back to that day. It was busy in there. It could have been anyone. Gambino’s is run by Aldo Gambino, and anyone that is anyone knows Aldo is the cousin of Angelo Gambino, the head of the Gambino family. It’s why Aidan chose it. He’s been making connections with the Gambino family over the past year after they offered their support following the collapse of the Mancini and Ricci families. Of course, it’s a foot in the door on their way to the five families. But any connection is a good one when it comes to business.

Another message pops up on the screen from an unknown number.

Unknown:

The church is all yours.

Whatever that message means, it pleases Carter, and instead of heading into the city, Carter skirts the outside before heading towards the north.

I check behind us to see that Roxy is still following just as Carter’s phone rings. He lets it ring off. And again when it rings a second time. On the third ring he finally answers.

“Where the fuck are you going, Carter?” comes Roxy’s irritated voice.

“Somewhere safe.” That’s all the answer he gives before ending the call, then taking the next left. After another five minutes, Carter takes a small dirt track. At the other end, we are met by large metal gates. Looking around, I see a small cemetery sitting to the right of the gates, and beyond the gate is a church that looks like it hasn’t seen a living person in years.

There is a keypad and Carter rolls down the window and punches in a code. A loud whirring noise starts up, then the gates creak open.

“What is this place,” I ask as he drives through the now open gates toward the church.

“It belongs to a friend. It’s a safe house of sorts.”

“If you say so.” My scepticism couldn’t be more obvious, and I guarantee it will be one shared by Roxy after her last visit to a church.

Carter follows the dirt track straight past the church to the back where I’m surprised to see the church looks well kept. There is a second building and an open-fronted garage, and Carter pulls in next to the black SUV already parked there.

Roxy and the guys park beside us as Carter and I climb from the car, rounding the back just as someone steps out from inside the church.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Carter fucking Beckett,” the man drawls casually, his deep voice is husky and full of familiarity, but there’s also a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

He steps out of the shadow of the church, and I get my first look at the man. He’s as tall as Carter, but older, with short dark hair and tanned skin like he’s been on a beach somewhere. Black jeans cover his legs and thick muscular arms covered in tattoos poke out from beneath his plain white t-shirt.

“It’s been a long time, Frankie,” Carter says as they embrace, doing the half hug half back slap.

“And whose fucking fault is that?” Frankie says, stepping back and folding his arms. “Guess I’m only good when you’re in the shit, huh?”

“Screw you. You’re the one who went on a jolly around the fucking world. Look at you.” Carter waves a hand at Frankie’s tanned arms.

---