Page 8 of The Mafia's Vendetta

His first look at the inside of her place made him angry.It was one room.Although he could see and smell that the place was clean, the walls were dingy-white, and the wood floor was marked up with several years’ wear.There was a small bathroom, but it was so tiny he could stand in the room and spread his arms out, touching opposite walls.He grimaced when he looked into the corner shower.He wouldn’t even try to fit in it.

The main room had a small kitchen, if you could call it that.There was a sink with a foot of counter and then the smallest fridge he’d ever seen.It looked like what someone would put as a toy in a child’s room.He opened the door to find fruit and vegetables.There were also a few condiments, but that was it.The more he saw, the angrier he got.For some reason, the thought of that woman living there made him sick.

He snooped in every drawer, smelled her shampoo, and trifled through the small amount of clothing she had.Every piece was faded and large.There was nothing she had that was attractive.He knew she was hiding herself to the best of her ability, but he could see through her facade.Someone else could, too.

“Hey, Drew, look at her door,” John called out.

His brows snapped together.There were four locks on it.He could tell two were old and the others brand new.Most people would consider that overkill, but he saw it as her trying to protect herself to the best of her ability.For a person to go to this level of hiding, whoever she was running from terrified her, and he would find out who it was.

“We’re done,” John said.“Check your phone.”

Drew pulled it from his pocket and looked at the screen.There were seven different cameras in the place, and he could see every corner.John was very thorough.

“This is great.Are you ready?”he asked.

They both nodded.

They closed the door behind them.

“How many locks were fastened?”

“All but one,” John said.

“It was that easy to get in?”Drew asked.

“For a normal person, no, but I’m good with locks.”

Drew grinned.They walked down the rickety stairs and parted.He returned to his car, and John and the other man took off in theirs.

“What do you think?’Vance asked.

“I can tell by the look on your face that it wasn’t good,” Tory said.

“The place was a dive.I wouldn’t let my dog live in it.”

“What are you going to do?”Manny asked.

“I’m not sure yet.When we get to the club, stay outside.I’m going to try to be incognito.”

The three men laughed.

“Good luck with that,” Manny said.

Drew rolled his eyes.“Sit tight.”

Drew walked into the club and stepped to the side to let his eyes adjust.He scanned the room and saw Scarlet right away.Even though she tried to fade into the background as much as possible, something caught his attention from the second he saw her the first time.

He reached the end of the bar closest to the door.He knew she would get her orders from the middle section so he would be able to hide.He hadn’t seen Newman yet, and that was good.He got the feeling the man was very protective of her.For some odd reason, he felt the same way.

“What can I get you, Mr.Maclean?”the bartender asked.

“My scotch, Brian.”

“You got it.”

Within two minutes, a glass sat in front of him.

He spent the next hour studying her.He had yet to see a smile, and there were a few times he caught a look of fear in her eyes before she blanked it.He swallowed the last of his drink.He’d seen enough.He had a man on her all the time, and now he had cameras in her place.

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