Page 16 of Wick
One single shot.
I feel Benito's hand go lax, and his body slumps to the ground.
Dazed by the ringing in my ears from the proximity of the gunshot, and all the blood and oxygen rushing back into my head, I don't see who killed the man at my feet before passing out.
When I wake, I'm lying on my back, staring up at a revolving ceiling fan. I blink a few times. Thirst hits me along with a wave of nausea, which has me rolling onto my side to vomit. A cold rag presses against the back of my neck after emptying the contents of my stomach. Lifting my head, my eyes make contact with a beautiful young woman, sitting in a chair next to the bed that I find myself on. "Where am I?"
The young woman dabs the cold rag across my forehead. "In the home of Arturo Cortez—my husband."
Her admission throws me off, and I stumble back on the bed, but immediately become nauseous and dizzy. Then I think of my team—my friends. How long have I been out of it, and are they still alive? "I need to…" I feel bile rise in my throat again and urge myself to fight the lingering effects of the sedative given to me. "How long have I been unconscious?"
"Hours." The young woman informs me. "He's taken a liking to you," she continues.
Confused, I look at her. "Who?" I scrunch my forehead.
"My husband. And this is not a good thing." Her features harden with the words she speaks as she straightens her back and continues. "I'm willing to help you escape."
"I'm listening," I tell her, still trying to stay focused.
"With one condition." She wrings her hands nervously in her lap. "You take my son and me with you."
Chapter Seven
Wick
I'm acting as a bouncer at Twisted Throttle tonight since Sean called in earlier, saying he wasn't going to be able to make it in. He said something about his daughter's mother and that he needed to deal with her shit. Sean is a good guy. He never calls in, so I told him to handle his business, and I'd take his shift. I like being a hands-on bar owner. I don't do well sitting behind a desk. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and mingling with the regulars. Riggs is behind the bar tonight, and the other men rode in about an hour ago. Kiwi and Fender are playing a game of pool, whereas Nova and his flavor of the night are occupying the table in the back corner. The woman is climbing all over Nova with absolutely no shame. In fact, her ass is on display, and one of her tits is hanging out of the scrap of material she calls a shirt. When my brother catches my stare, I jerk my head in the direction of the hall that leads to the restrooms. Nova gives me a nod as he stands, takes his date by the hand, and guides her toward the back where I know he's about to engage in a quick fuck. My brother gets no judgment from me as long as he takes that shit in private and not out here on the floor for all to see.
"Want a beer?" Riggs asks when I sidle up to the bar.
"Yeah. A shot of whiskey too."
Riggs sets a shot and a cold beer down on the bar in front of me. I place the shot glass to my lips and down the whiskey. Just as I am about to take a swallow of my beer a commotion to my left catches my attention. A young woman who looks to be in her mid-twenties has some asshole crowding her and the fucker has a vise grip on her arm. She and her friend have been here for a couple of hours, having a good time and pretty much keeping to themselves. I hang back a second and watch as she politely tries to let the guy down easy; only he doesn't listen. The moment I see her face grimace in pain from the fucker's grip, I come off my stool. Striding up behind the guy, I bring my hand down over his wrist in a chopping motion. My move has him immediately releasing his hold on the woman. The lady gives me a relieved look in the process as her friend who is standing next to her, offers a comforting hug.
"The lady doesn't want to be bothered," I grind out.
The douchebag preppy turns around, his face red and he sneers. "Why don't you mind your own business, asshole." I don't miss the tremble in his voice as he attempts to be badass. It's all a front. I know I can have pretty boy here pissing in his pants within seconds.
"This is my bar, dickhead. That means when an arrogant, little fucker such as yourself walks into my establishment and tries to strong-arm a beautiful woman into paying you some attention, only to get physical when she turns you down, I make it my business. I also have it in mind to show you some goddamn manners when it comes to females."
"You don't know what you're talking about, man. We were only having a conversation."
I look to the woman he's referring to. "Ma'am. Do you want to talk to this prick?"
She shakes her head. "No. My friend and I came here to celebrate my promotion at work. Alone. I told him that."
"Good for you, darlin'. How about you and your girl head on over to the bar. Tell the bartender Wick said your drinks are on the house tonight." I wink at the two women for good measure just to piss pretty boy off. Both ladies smile at me.
"Thank you."
I watch them walk up to the bar, say something to Riggs then point in my direction. Riggs gives me a nod before he goes about serving the two women. I then turn back to the little shit behind me, who looks like he's ready to spit nails. "Time for you to go."
"Are fucking serious, bro? First, you cockblock me, and now you're kicking me out?"
"First, I'm not your bro. Second, let this be a lesson that no means no, dickhead." I get in the guy's face. When I think the man has had enough and is going to admit defeat by walking away, I catch the slight tick in his jaw as he balls his right fist up at his side. I know what move he's about to make next, and I'm ready for it. I also see this takedown is going to be too easy. Rearing back, the guy brings his fist up and goes to clock me in the face. Dodging his blow, I bring my left arm up to block him at the same time, my right fist lands a solid punch to his gut, making him double over and gasp for air. Next, I fist his hair and bring my knee up, connecting with his face. Blood spurts from the guy's nose, and he yelps in pain as he falls to the floor.
"You broke my nose," he sputters.
The guy flinches when I lean over his battered body and fist the collar of his shirt, bringing him back to his feet. "Let this be a lesson learned you little shit." I drag him toward the door. "I don't want to see you back here." I shove him outside, where he falls to his ass on the ground. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the bar happens to be Chief Richards. Chief looks at the guy I just tossed out, then back at me with a lifted brow.
