Page 59 of Devil's Marker

Win took that as code for ‘going outside to make a call where it’s quieter and where there’s no chance of anybody hearing anything that isn’t their business’. He watched as two girls practically fell over themselves trying to get Catcher’s attention on his way out. So much for laying low and blending in. The kid was a walking sensation.

R.C had moved to one of the standing rounds and was talking to a different guy. Win felt a sliver of relief. She’d moved on.

So had Dredge. He was ‘dancing’ which, in this case, was a euphemism for dry humping. The girl was into it, but looked underage. Blonde. Long hair. Sexy red dress. The kind that attracts vampires and guys like Dredge.

Win turned toward the front just in time to see Catcher coming back through the entrance. His eyes found Win and his gaze locked, burning with purpose.

“I gave them a reasonably complete description of our three targets and what they look like. At least tonight,” he said, shouting to be heard over the music.

Win started to nod, but grabbed the front of Catcher’s jacket instead. He motioned toward the other side of the room with his head. One of the guys was smiling and talking with a woman as he guided her toward the front door.

“We’re on,” Win said. “Give Roar a heads up. Fast.”

Catcher pulled out his phone and texted Roar who was coming out the front.

Roar dialed Boss. “You want us to nab or follow?”

“Grab him,” Boss said without hesitation. “Following is too risky. Too many variables. Go with the bird in hand. Sending backup and the cargo van to the back of the club.”

Roar watched the target emerge and walk the length of the carpet under a red canopy to the valet podium. When the valet trotted off to retrieve the car, Roar followed on his bike. He pulled up next to the car the valet had remote unlocked, and put his booted foot against the door.

“It’s your lucky night,” Roar said.

“It is?” The valet parker didn’t look happy to hear that news.

“Yeah,” Roar said, pulling out his wallet. “You’re gonna take this five hundred,” he held out five one hundred dollar bills, “and take a fifteen minute break. You’re also gonna give me the keys to this car. I’ll go pick up the owner myself. He and I have something important to discuss.”

The kid reached for the money, but said, “There’s a camera. Somebody’ll know if I don’t bring the car back.”

Roar shook his head. “Won’t happen. Got a guy disablin’ the feed right now.”

“Really?”

“No shit. Now hand over the keys and make yourself gone for a bit.”

The kid handed over the keys to the white Audi and trotted away. Roar left his bike and texted Win as he climbed in the car.

ROAR: Get rid of the girl. Coming around in his white Audi.

By the time Roar drove the car around, Win and Catcher were behind the couple waiting for their ride. Before the target knew anything was up, Catcher had gently pulled the girl away. “Go on home, darlin’,” he said gently. “We need this boy more than you do tonight.”

She looked unsettled, but obeyed and went back into the club.

Meanwhile, Win had gotten close enough to the target’s back to put a gun at the man’s waist. “Unless you want to be a permanent stain on the sidewalk, you’re gonna behave yourself and do what I say.”

The guy tensed from head to toe. When Win heard the door locks open, he gave the guy a push. “Open the back door.”

Catcher came up behind just in time to frisk the S&B. He took the man’s gun and his phone, turned that gun against him, and followed the target into the Audi backseat.

Roar drove around the block to the alley and flashed lights at the two Marauders waiting near the back exit.

He got out of the car and said, “You think you two can contain this garbage while I go back out front?”

He texted Boss that there was one guy in an Audi waiting for pickup, then walked around to the front again, texting Catcher as he went.

ROAR:Take out the camera feed on the front door, last few minutes.

CATCHER: K.

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