Adrenaline lends me some grace. I won't rush the job, but I definitely don't want to waste any time. Twenty minutes, tops, and that gives me time to get the fuck out of here before anyone else shows up for the major deal that's about to go down.
The setup isn't heavy, it's just awkwardly sized in the cramped space beneath the vehicle. Still, a couple screws and a lot of sweat later, the package has been delivered. My clothes are sticking to me. The stagnant air and smell of grease are just a little too much when stuck beneath a couple tons of machine.
I drag myself to freedom like it's the last thing I'll ever do, sit up, and realize someone is standing in front of me. I see the long, thin grin of the devil just before something heavy connects with my temple, and everything fades to black.
Chapter 30 Dearest Dragon
Maria
I kill the headlights when I turn the car into the alley. At least this piece of shit runs quiet. The windows are down and I'm sweating against the night. The air is so heavy tonight. I'm wearing black pants and a black tank, my hair braided down one shoulder. My shirt is already soaked and I'm nervous as hell.
That night I drove like a hell bird to Biloxi, when I lit the fuse on that Molotov cocktail, I couldn't feel anything. I didn't give a good goddamn about anything other than being heard. I didn't think twice and I wouldn't change it. I also wasn't alone with a huge window of time before I played my part.
As much as all that was fueled by rage, this plan is so much more delicate and deliberate. I drove the exact route Frederick told me to, and haven't seen another car for some time. I stop the car by a set of metal double doors, shut it off, and slip the key into my pocket. Across the backseat, the Dragunov rests in its case.
I slip out of the car, quietly close the door, and check both ways down the alley. It's deserted. My fingers close around the set of lock picks in my pocket and, for a moment, I just stare at the darkened metal. Charlie gave me these, said he paid the extra for the good ones. They haven't let me down yet. Soon, Charlie. I'm gonna make those fuckers pay.
According to Frederick, this place is so empty there's not even an alarm. I hope he's right. I shake myself. Standing out here is stupid. I need to get to cover now.
The lock doesn't put up much of a fight. The metallic pop makes me smile. I grab the gun case and enter the warehouse without a sound. I stand still inside to let my eyes adjust to the weak light that makes it through the grime on the windows.
There's a set of stairs leading up to a second level. The downstairs is just empty, dusty floor. I make for the stairs quickly. It's so quiet that my breath sounds loud. The gun feels heavy, though in the way of sniper-grade rifles, it's not heavy at all. There are more banks of windows upstairs, rows of small square panes. I scan them with faith in delinquency until – there, a broken one.
Gram's warehouse is catty-corner to this one on the other side of the street. I peer out the window. I have a perfect line-of-sight to the front gate and big bay door of his warehouse. Perfect. I couldn't have dreamed of better positioning. The hardest part of this will be the waiting.
I pull my phone from my pocket to check the time. The truck should have left fifteen minutes ago. There's still an hour before drop time. Still no word from Frederick. Not good.
The nerves flutter around in my stomach, and Izzy's words come back to haunt the silence around me. You know this is some bad juju. I swallow thickly and sit down on the dirty floor. I run a reverent hand along the hard case. Dearest Dragon, don't do me wrong. I click open the clasps.
She's waiting there for me, silently, elegantly. I don't pick her up, not yet, I just stare. This is one of Frederick's favorite guns. I can feel his admiration for it in every detail. The smell of gun oil is a comforting one, one that reminds me of him. I wish he could be here to watch the fireworks. Doesn't seem right for him to miss it. And why the fuck hasn't he texted me?
Anxiety rises, makes me feel like puking. I didn't eat, so there's nothing to throw up. Here in the darkness and hugeness of this place, all the ways this could go wrong begin to assault me – all the thoughts I've ignored until this point. Tears want to come, but I choke them back. I will not break down now. I will see this through.
I take a long breath, it's shaky, but there's no one around to witness my moment of weakness. Charlie, if you're still looking out for me, lend me your courage. I will end this, I will avenge you. I love you.
Chapter 31 Bloody Mary
Frederick
I startle awake. When I try to open my eyes, the light makes a searing web of pain spider through my skull. I growl in response, and that's when I realize there's tape covering my mouth. The agony seems concentrated on the left side of my face. I can feel the sticky, wet blood from the impact of whatever hit me. There's something solid wrapped around my chest, pinning
