Kicking the man’s weapon that he’d dropped over to the kitchen nook, Chandler pointed the pistol he’d acquired from this creep hours ago and said, “Now, tell us how you found us again.”
The man gasped for air, holding his abdomen with his left hand, and wheezed out, “You … I think I have internal injuries, and you …” Another gasp for air. “… broke my wrist.” He held his right hand up and his wrist did indeed look broken.
“That’s the risk associated with being a criminal,” Chandler told him, twirling the fire poker with his left hand. “I thought all you losers signed a disclosure.”
“A disclosure?” the guy rasped out. He focused on the iron stick, genuine fear in his once chilly pale blue eyes.
“Yeah. When you committed to be a scumbag and attack innocent women, you signed a disclosure that your idiocy could result in death or dismemberment.” Chandler was rewarded with a surprised laugh from Kylee and a recoiling from Creepy Eyes. The man tried to press himself against the wall, but he had nowhere to go.
“Now.” Chandler leveled the pistol at him. “How did you find us?”
The guy rubbed at his abdomen, then cradled his broken wrist against it. His face was contorted in pain. Chandler should’ve felt worse about causing another human being agony, but this guy deserved it. This was the third time he’d come after them. Chandler knew this man was a professional or he couldn’t have so easily tried to kill them. The clincher was him pointing his gun at the innocent Kylee while she slept. Any compassion Chandler might’ve felt had been wiped out by that coldness and threat to Kylee. It was pathetic that when the hitman got hurt, he reacted like a scared wuss.
“She has a … tracker in her purse.”
“Nope. We found that one back at the stadium. Try again.”
His pale blue eyes narrowed, and he looked away. Tense seconds clicked by. Kylee’s breath was coming too fast. Chandler wanted to comfort her and get her far from this loser and their compromised location, but that wouldn’t help them until he knew how he’d followed them. Whoever had sent this guy could just send someone else. Hopefully there weren’t other mercenaries on their way as Chandler wasted time with this loser.
Chandler took aim and swung the poker over the intruder’s head, barely missing his bald pate and thumping into the wall, spraying plaster on the guy. The man cursed and ducked, curling into a ball. Chandler pushed the sharp metal tip into his chest, forcing him to straighten.
“Please don’t hurt me again,” the guy cried out.
“Tell me how you found us,” Chandler snarled, wanting to make fun of this murderer for being such a wimp. It was always interesting how bullies couldn’t take the tables being turned.
“Her necklace.”
“Nein!” Kylee gasped and put a hand to her neck. She drew out a beautiful and probably expensive jade and diamond pendant. She must’ve always kept it hidden to protect the valuable jewelry. “Grandpa gave me this when my parents died.” Her voice was quiet and sad.
Chandler’s heart sunk on her behalf. She’d clung to the hope her grandpa was innocent. He knew she had. And to give her a meaningful gift when her parents died that had a tracking device in it? That was pretty sleazy.
She yanked it over her head and dropped it on a side table as if it were burning her.
He pushed the poker into the man’s chest. “Is anyone else assigned to kill us?”
The man didn’t hesitate. He shook his head. “Not yet. She had faith I could finish the job. I’ve never failed her before.”
“She?” Chandler raised his eyebrows.
The man’s lips thinned, but he obviously didn’t want any more injuries. Chandler didn’t enjoy hurting others, but he would do more damage if the guy didn’t cooperate. He’d just admitted he’d planned to not just incapacitate them or slow them down. He’d been paid to kill them both, and he’d killed often enough his boss had complete faith in him.
“Olivet Seamons,” he ground out.
Chandler looked at Kylee. She didn’t look surprised, but she did look hurt. Maybe because her grandfather had given her the necklace that tracked her.
“You’ve been following Kylee since Chicago?”
The man nodded.
“Why didn’t you kill her then?”
“She told me not to kill her unless she collaborated with someone. She didn’t think she had anyone to turn to. When I saw her with you at the stadium, I knew it was time to finish the job.”
“I hope you rot in Hades just like you deserve,” Chandler said.
The guy simply raised his eyebrows. Obviously killing an innocent woman was nothing to him.
“Kylee,” Chandler said softly. “Can you bring me my phone, and then if you’re comfortable, would you pick up his gun and point it at him? If he moves, shoot him through his black heart.”