When she reached the end of the road, she turned and leaned against the brick wall, casually bending one leg up. She didn’t utter a word, didn’t move, barely breathed.
They smirked, spreading out as they moved in close.
“Hey, baby.”
“How about a kiss?” said another.
When they were an arm’s length away, she reached out and lightly shoved one in the chest. He laughed out loud at her pitiful attempt to protect herself. What she needed to know was who had the weapons.
“I’ll scream,” she said.
The guy with the beard chuckled, opening his jacket to reveal a handgun in his waistband. “I’d keep quiet if I were you.”
/> She should try harder when acting, but right now, she couldn’t help but smile. Graciella leapt into action, darting forward and snatching the gun before using the heel of her hand against his throat. He staggered back, grasping his neck and wheezing. She shot the first guy in the head and motioned for the third to get to his knees.
“I want every gun, blade, and any ammo you have on the ground,” she said. When neither of them made a move to comply, she pistol-whipped the bearded one “Right now!”
Graciella examined her cache of weapons. Now she just needed a ride.
“How far’s your car from here?” she asked the man with the facial tattoos.
“Around the block.”
“Good. You’re my driver now. Get up.”
After knocking out the bearded guy, she followed behind her new driver, keeping a gun trained on him. It was a pleasant surprise to find he drove an old El Camino.
They drove to the heart of the city. She did her research on Manuel Viola and continually checked in on Viko with her new cell phone. She was so close to finding the cure and ending this nightmare she could taste it.
“Who runs this town?” she asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
“If you want to be a smart ass, I won’t think twice about cutting off your dick. I do it all the fucking time. It’s kind of my thing.”
He believed her. Of course, it wasn’t entirely a lie.
“Are you talking about the motorcycle club or the cartel?”
“Cartel.”
“Renzo Bianchi controls everything around here from real estate to people. You cross him, you disappear.”
“And you work for him?”
“Everyone works for him in one way or another.”
She told him the name of the restaurant she wanted, and when he pulled up out front, she stepped out and waved him off. This was Manuel’s favorite restaurant, and she knew there was a high likelihood he was inside. She’d seen pics of him online, so now it was time for her to play her role.
Viko and Boss were still a good half-hour away. She couldn’t wait. It was time to grasp the opportunity.
Graciella pulled her hair to one side. Normally, when she seduced a man, her makeup was on point and her outfit would make him drool. Today, she’d improvise and use what she had.
Once inside the lavish lobby of the restaurant, she scanned the interior for Manuel. She ignored the hostess, hoping she was right about coming here. When she saw tattoo face and the bearded guy walking up the steps of the restaurant, she cursed under her breath and walked into the heart of the restaurant. The hostess called out to her, but she walked faster, weaving between tables and looking for her mark.
When she caught sight of Manuel, she fought the onslaught of emotions that rushed to the surface from the relief of finding him. This guy had paid the scientist to create more tainted drugs. He had the cure, the only way to end all this death.
He was at a large round table with a bunch of upscale guests. She was only after him, but then she recognized someone else at the table—Renzo Bianchi. Why was Manuel having a meal with the leader of the local cartel if he supposedly wanted to take over? He’d already gone against Viko. Leaders in the underground were never on friendly terms. Trust and comradery weren’t the norm, and she doubted it was any different here.