Page 45 of An Eye For Illusion

Once I have jeans, a belt and a t-shirt on, I pull on my boots and put my holstered handgun on my belt. I pull a bulky jacket from the closet to conceal the gun. I take another look in the mirror to make sure I can pass for a common criminal. It’s as good as it’s going to fucking get.

I check the time on my phone. I’ve burned up twenty minutes trying to reach Donovan and getting dressed. It’s a thirty-minute drive to the warehouse.

I try to call Donovan one more time, but again, he doesn’t answer. I’d go over there and pound on his door till he answers but there’s no time for that now. Frankie is already on his way. I decide to send him a text. I type it out and hover my finger over the send arrow, unsure if this is the best thing to send in a text message.

Me: F called. Needed your help, but I couldn’t reach you. I’ll call when I get back.

Fuck it. It’s vague, and I didn’t use any actual names, but I also didn’t give him much info to go on if something happens. I run my hand over my face, trying to shake the nerves. They won’t do me any fucking good, and I decide it’s safer for the text to be vague. Donovan will be able to figure out enough from what I sent.

I put my phone in my pocket and grab my keys and pocketknife from the dresser as I head out. When I get to the car, I grab a few pairs of nitrile gloves from the first aid kit in my car and shove them in my coat pocket. My prints are on record thanks to being a PI. I’m not getting busted for this shit. My heart rate is up. The unknown has me on edge. I fucking hate the unknown.

The drive takes almost no time at all. That’s a good thing since I blew so much time trying to contact Donovan and getting dressed. Also, I didn’t have time to stew on all the shitty scenarios I’m about to walk into. It’s also a bad thing since I didn’t have time to really plan anything out.

Frankie is outside propped against his truck like he doesn’t have a care in the world when I pull up to the warehouse. What interests me most, however, is he isn’t alone. Dino and Carlo walk out of the warehouse as my car pulls to a stop.

I take a deep, steadying breath as I put the car in park. Get in and get out, Colin. Whatever they want so I can get this the fuck over with.

My expression is one of indifference as I exit my car, taking my time as I walk up to them. I discreetly take in my surroundings, noting there are few streetlights and we’re the only ones around at this time of night.

“What’s with the late-night impromptu call?” I ask, letting my annoyance show. These guys are hard asses. They don’t beat around the bush, and they don’t play nice. If I acted calm and patient about being pulled out of bed at two a.m. like I would with a client, it would be a red flag.

“You say you’re the car guy; it’s time to show us,” Frankie says as he straightens from his position leaning against the truck.

Carlo comes closer and pulls his phone from his pocket. “Vinny wants this car delivered to him here. Before daybreak.” He shows me a picture of a 1970 Chavelle SS. Shiny red with a rag top. It’s a nice car, and one that would take me time to get a hold of.

This is obviously a test. If I fail, at best, I’m out of the group. At worst, I’m dead.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask because I’m pretty sure they don’t mean for me to go find this car in a car lot and buy it outright. Especially at what recently ticked over into three a.m.

While I studied old cars, I watched a few videos on how to hotwire a classic car since Donovan gave me a heads up it may go that way. I sure as fuck hope I remember the steps correctly.

Frankie doesn’t elaborate outside of, “We’re gonna take you to it.”

Doing my best to hide my nervousness, I shrug with a curt nod. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

Frankie laughs first, followed by Dino, but Carlo’s eyes study me. They narrow before scanning my body language. They linger briefly on my belt. The gun is still tucked safely under the back of my jacket. My fingers itch to reach for it, and I almost tense when Carol takes a step forward.

Don’t give them a reason to pat you down. If you play this right, you’ll be back in your bed before the sun rises.

Frankie slaps Carlo on the shoulder. “See, Carlo? I told you this guy’s alright.”

Carlo glances at Frankie, then back at me. “We’re about to find out.” There’s no confidence in his tone or expression, but the slap from Frankie seems to snap him out of whatever he was about to do.

Everything about this situation goes against all my training. I’m outnumbered and getting into a vehicle with criminals I don’t know without knowing the destination. My ace in the hole is having my gun. I have nine rounds, there are three of them, and I’m a damn good shot.

We load up with me in the front passenger seat. Dino is in the back seat behind Frankie, and Carlo is behind me. Yay. I feel the tension radiating from Carlo. I’d be impressed by his ability to sniff out bullshit if it weren’t for the fact that the bullshit in this case is me.

Frankie doesn’t waste any time getting on the road. The ride is mostly quiet except for two voices in my head. The first is me reciting step by step how to hotwire a car from memories of the videos I watched. The second is my rational side screaming, “What the fuck are you doing?”

I try to quiet the second voice even though I know he’s right.

I think I have the steps down for hotwiring the car. I focus on the turns we take as well as the landmarks so I’m able to get back with the stolen car or run if I need to.

“Psyching yourself up?” Dino asks with a chuckle as he leans forward a bit.

Fuck yes. I’m a PI, not a damn car thief. I can’t actually say that, though. And why the fuck hasn’t Donovan called me back? Not that it matters since I can’t exactly answer it right now. My mind is reeling, but on the outside, I’m calm.

I smirk. “Fuck yes I am,” I say nonchalantly, giving myself an excuse for my jitteriness while sounding like I know what the hell I’m talking about. “If you don’t go in with your mind focused and your adrenaline high enough to keep you alert, you run the risk of fucking up and getting yourself killed. I plan to do neither tonight.”

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