“I’m not sure if he remembers me. When I got out the car the other day he still bolted on us. I haven’t seen him since he was thirteen years old, Duke, except that once when I returned stateside, but he didn’t know it was me. My own brother barely recognized me. Then consider that I’m the only person that truly knows what happened to his father, our reunion needs to be finessed.”
“Well your finesse is getting ready to become all-out frankness. Reintroduce yourself… tonight.” Duke stood and braced both hands on his desk. His dress shirt looked trendy, not snooty and he had the cuffs unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“He’s no doubt wondering how I was able to contact him on his cell. If we charge in and corner him. He’s gonna react,” Brian warned.
I hope they’re not trying to pair me with a whacko who also sounds like a bit of a coward. Why would he be running? Most importantly why the hell is the most intense man I’ve ever seen, chasing him? There must be a million other guys who want this job. Kell settled into the chair more comfortably, carefully observing their dynamic. He’d be a part of all this soon, he prayed. My new partner must really be the stuff if they’re going after him and not the other way around.
“What the hell you mean, ‘react’?”
Ford—Kell now realized was Brian’s brother—didn’t appear to like the sound of that.
“Should we all be wearing bulletproof vest when you bring him back? He’s not gonna storm in and open fire is he?” Duke chuckled darkly when Brian gave him a ‘fuck off’ gesture. “For shit’s sake, Brian. Then take Ford and Dana with you. Quick you stay here and get your protégé into the system. He’s already set to go on qualifiers,” Duke spoke and all of them listened, then followed his orders. He turned and pointed at Kell. “You, go out and get some firewood from the shed around back and get the fire going in the lobby. Make yourself useful. It’s gonna be a long night.”
It was still chilly outside, the temperature dropping with each hour. Kell put his dark beanie over his head and pulled his hood up and lowered it below his brow. Then he pulled his scarf up around his mouth and followed the orders he’d been given. He may not excel in every aspect of his new position, but one thing he will succeed in was obeying and following commands. He’d make his sensei proud.
Ty
Ty’s mind spun faster than a CD inside a player as he stood at his window watching his block. He’d read that text ten times, trying to decode the message, but it wasn’t necessary, the man had made himself clear. He was coming whether Ty was ready or not.
Don’t worry. I’m ready.
Ty checked his watch, it was almost eight and he was getting hungry. He’d only had breakfast and it was too late for him to order. There were no deliveries in his neighborhood after dark. Since he’d been home, he’d wiped down his place and packed anything of importance in his large duffle. If he had to make a run for it, he was ready for that, too. He wouldn’t gamble with his life. His mother needed him. She was precious to him and he was the only man she had left to care for her. He wouldn’t desert her because of a problem a man thought he had with him.
People moved back and forth along the sidewalk, heads turning and eyes looking for any suspicious movement. Here, a man had to move differently. Cautiously. There was always someone who was hungrier, greedier and had no qualms taking from an easy mark. Ty was about to go back into his kitchen when he felt the rumble from the V8 in his chest. He closed his eyes and went over his plan one more time. The man in black had come for him. Ty was going to make sure to give him a proper greeting, deserving of a stalker.
Ty placed his bag in his bedroom next to the window. He pulled on a black bomber jacket over his dark hoodie then checked the laces in his black, high-top Converse. He tucked his Glock in the small of his back—it was the only weapon he was able to legally conceal. He’d waited until it was dark enough on the streets that he could creep. He wasn’t gonna let this man wait until midnight to come for him in his own home. Ty’s plan was to catch this guy slipping and turn the game on him. Make him the prey.
Ty ignored the curious stares he got as he made his way down Crumley toward Formwalt Street. Usually, no one saw him out past nine. There was nothing on the block at that time except for men wanting trouble. Ty didn’t hear the rumble of the Mustang any longer, but all that told him was that the man in black had abandoned his intimidating vehicle and was lurking. Ty casually cut through side streets, back alleys and even climbed onto the rooftop of the apartment building on Pryor. A prime look-out point. Nothing. No one. The lighting was shit on this street, but that didn’t matter, he was used to the darkness, he’d recognize anyone who didn’t belong. He waited up there for forty-five minutes. If anyone was searching for him, they’d surely have run out of patience by now. Ty pulled his hood lower and started the trek back to his place. He was hungry, tired, and sleep-deprived but his mind was still sharp. He took the long way around to his apartment and entered through the back stairwell. His steps were quiet down the short hallway until he got to his door. He slid his key inside and unlocked the knob, then the two bolt locks above it, entering then closing himself in.