Lucia nods and smiles before leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“I’ve got to head over to the office,” she tells me. “Keep him safe, okay?”
“Always.”
“Maybe we can catch up later, hmm? Get a drink somewhere?”
“Yeah, okay.” I’m not sure what to think of her offer. Lucia and I have never really hung out socially unless it was with a group of Rinaldo’s people. Her eyes are indicating something more intimate.
She’s the boss’s daughter. Off limits.
Rinaldo had suggested in the past that he might be inclined to see me with his only recognized offspring but ultimately decided against it. He knows me too well to want me that close to his daughter.
Lucia walks away, and I grab my equipment and head up the side of the building. It’s too damn cold to be out on a rooftop, and the wind is up. My aim is going to suck if I actually have to shoot someone. The howling of the wind is also making it difficult to hear the conversation on the radio.
At least it’s not snowing.
I’m on high alert, but I feel good. My head is clear due to Alina’s presence in my bed last night, and I’m in my element, confident in my own abilities. The cool metal of the Barrett feels so right in my hands, I’m not even wearing gloves. It’s cold, but I prefer having skin on the trigger.
I survey the area through the scope and check the flag I’ve posted for the wind speed. It keeps changing in intensity and direction, and if I need to make a clear shot, I’m going to be screwed.
I relay this into the radio at my neck.
“Not expecting problems,” Beni informs me.
“I’m not relying on your expectations.” I take a long breath and huff it out. “Paulie, keep your eyes open.”
“That is my job.” His voice crackles with static.
I focus the scope on Beni. He has that smug look on his face again, and it makes me want to put a fist through his teeth. He’s standing tall and alert next to Rinaldo, so at least he’s listening. I swerve around to view Paulie a few feet away. He’s staring at the ground.
“Paulie! Pay attention!”
He jerks slightly and glances up at me. I can see his eyes clearly in my crosshairs. He nods once and then starts looking around at his surroundings. He takes a step closer to Rinaldo and places his hand on the butt of his gun.
“Asshole,” I mumble.
The wind picks up. It’s time for the shipment to arrive, but there’s no sign of the truck. Becca’s got her phone up to her ear, but she doesn’t respond when I call to her on the radio. I hear a lot of crackling, but the words are garbled.
“Come again!” There’s no response—just static. “Rinaldo, do you copy?”
“I…screech…you now. Screech...In position!”
There’s a lot more crackling, and I ask for a repeat.
“Stay!” It’s the only word I can actually understand.
“Got it.” I’m going to have to rely on my eyes more than my ears. I’d rather be down on the ground at this point. My assault rifle is in the car and would be more effective overall. The wind refuses to hold steady enough for me to shoot straight from a distance.
Four forty-five. The truck is definitely late. I try to get some answers over the radio, but nothing is coming through clearly. I move away from the edge of the building to try to receive a better signal, but nothing helps.
Concerned about being away from position, I get back behind my Barrett and scan the whole area. There are only Rinaldo’s people and no trucks approaching. I take another look around.
“Somebody tell me if I need to start scouting for people!” I yell into the radio.
There’s some garbled talk, but I can only make out the word “truck” and a bunch of cursing, likely from Rinaldo. He’s not a tech guy and never knows when his radio is on.
Whatever is going on, I’m not going to get any information from the radio. I pack up the Barrett and head down the side of the building. When I reach the rest of the group, Jonathan approaches me.