Page 90 of Hostile Rival
She’s already scouting the area, checking for escape routes and possible threats. However, I know this place is on lockdown. No one gets in or out unless I say so.
She pulls her balaclava out of her backpack and slips it on, covering her face to become Buffy. I don’t even take mine out or give it a second thought.
I’m at the steel door when she charges up behind me and grabs my arm. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m going inside.”
“Your mask, Crow,” she whispers. “Someone will recognize you.”
I swallow and stare at her silver eyes, the only part of her that I can see. Joining The Covenant had meant I could pretend to be someone else for a while. I got a kick out of it, given how people always want something from me.
Christ, even my own mother had expected me to marry a stranger.
Perhaps I was hunting another high or taking a calculated risk. Or maybe I was trying to fit into the world my father had pushed me out of. Who the fuck knows?
Regardless, I’m still a Souza. Born and raised by a mafia princess instead of a drug lord. I have an appetite for justice in the form of a bullet. It’s that simple.
I protect what’s mine.
“Look, when I told you this mission was different, it's because I’m walking in here as a Souza, not Crow. The kill order came from me. I don’t need to hide my face. The men behind this door work for my family––they listen to my command.”
She takes a step back, eying me warily. “What the hell? You tricked me?”
I reach for her hand, and she snatches it away. My jaw clenches.
“I didn’t trick you at all. The Covenant orders go through Tommy. This is no different.” I tell her. “So, you need to walk through this door and carry out the order.”
“Are you ordering me to do it? Are you fucking kidding me, Mat?” Her head shakes as she glances over her shoulder.
That one move makes my blood boil. “I know this is a lot to take in. I get it. But I’ve told you from the beginning that you have to trust me.” I open the door and step inside. “Come on. This mission is important.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
“Look.” I sigh, not wanting to spoil the surprise by providing too many details. “It’s a straightforward hit. No risk.” I explain. “Execute the restrained target and that’s it.” Her body goes rigid. “I’m the same guy I was on the plane. Nothing has changed. So, either you learn to trust me, or this ends here.”
“What ends here? Me?” she grits out.
“Us,” I reply simply, backing up into the darkness. “If you want me, little firecracker, you have to trust me. If you can’t do that, then turn around and start walking.”
I hold my breath and wait. After a few seconds, she appears before me, still wearing her balaclava and her firearm pointed to the floor.
“I promise you won’t regret your decision.” I lean in and slide my arm around her shoulders, hugging her close.
Her body remains tense. She doesn’t melt into me, and it pisses me off.
I grab Dani’s hand and pull her along the cold corridor toward the door at the far end. Its dark red walls are barely visible under the soft glow of an illuminated fire exit sign.
This place used to be a lucrative Souza owned night club, a den where all sorts of illegal shit happened. Eventually it was shut down by the Feds and we moved those businesses elsewhere. It’s meant to be vacant. I’ve since learned, a group of Souza leaders still conduct business under our roof, rent free and low key.
“Who’s the target?” she whispers.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“Okay. Noted. No surprise engagement parties in the future.”
“Engagement party?” Her voice raises. “There won’t be an engagement to celebrate. I’m never getting married.”
