He had tracked Rabbit the day before, knowing the sneaky shit would lead him to the buy. Cash had texted him, telling him Evie wasn’t answering her messages. It didn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to figure out why Rabbit was acting cocky. He had insurance—Evie.
He had followed Rabbit, realizing it was his only hope of finding Evie. When Rabbit had arrived at the warehouse and Shade had seen the Predators in hiding, watching the same building, he had known his theory was right.
He had quickly surveyed the surrounding area, finding the best spot. He believed in planning every detail, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t get the job done on the fly.
He shifted the rifle slightly, adjusting his trajectory for the hellacious wind.
After Evie and King, Rabbit and then the Predators came out of the building, Shade saw Max, another Predator, come out holding several bags.
Shade moved the rifle a fraction of a centimeter. His target stopped, saying something, but he would never hear what Evie replied because Shade pulled the trigger and Rabbit fell to the ground.
Shade sighed; the wind was a motherfucker. He had aimed for the back of his head, but the bullet had hit the side. He would compensate more on his next target.
The Predators were running like ants. Most were running for their lives, but Shade easily saw a couple of them heading his way, trying to discover where he was shooting from.
Shade moved the rifle to his next target—King.
Frowning, he saw Evie had thrown herself in front of King, plastering herself against him. Then she yelled out, telling them not to move. Shade’s brow arched over his scope.
King pulled away from her as his car stopped by them and then opened the door. Evie shook her head, refusing to get in. King didn’t budge.
Evie turned her head, staring in his vicinity.
“Please,” she mouthed. “Please, don’t.”
“Fuck,” Shade hissed.
Taking out his pin light, he gave her a quick flash, acknowledging he wouldn’t kill the son of a bitch.
Evie reluctantly climbed into the car while King paused, staring in the same direction Evie had before getting inside.
“Don’t tempt me,” Shade muttered, moving backward.
Dismantling his rifle, he placed it back in the canvas bag. He saw the Predator who had kidnapped Penni and Ice drawing nearer. He silently dropped between the railcars, crawling on his stomach underneath, stealthily moving forward under them until he reached the end.
Shade heard running footsteps pass by, freezing in place. He pulled his .50 caliber Desert Eagle he had tucked into his pants. The first one who looked under the rail car was going to get his face shot off. The second would get one in the artery of a leg. Shade saw the two pairs of feet moving closer to his position.
“Hold up, Jackal.”
“Max, keep your voice down,” Jackal hissed.
“Ice texted. He said King told us to haul ass out of here.”
Shade shook his head. The Predator had barely lowered his voice.
“I saw,” Jackal said, “but I want to find the shooter.”
“Doesn’t matter what you want. Ice ordered us back to the clubhouse. We’re lucky the cops aren’t here yet.”
Shade saw one pair of booted feet moving away.
“Coming?”
“Fuck, I’m coming.” The second pair of boots moved away.
Shade remained still for the remainder of the night, slipping out before dawn to run toward his hidden rental car. Changing in the car and placing his canvas bag in a specially made suitcase, he then pulled out, driving to the airport.
Returning the rental car, he wheeled his suitcase to the front of the airport. He stared at several employees behind his sunglasses, standing out front. He wheeled it toward the one standing by the closest door.
“Bruno?”
“Yes, sir?”
“How’s the food here?”
“A little salty for my taste.”
“I like mine salty.”
“Can I check your bag for you?”
“Thanks.” Shade let him take the handle of the suitcase. An envelope of cash was placed in his pocket as he brushed against his side.
“Elmo will meet you at your destination,” Bruno said, holding the door open.
Shade nodded, going inside the airport to check in.
The plane was on time and Shade boarded, handing the stewardess his coat as he went to first class while ignoring her flirting smile.
After the plane took off, she leaned over provocatively, showing her full breasts.
“Did you enjoy your business trip, Mr. Burns?”
“It could have gone better,” Shade said, looking out the window.
She lowered her voice seductively. “Would you like something?”
Shade turned back to face her, his eyes dropping to her tits before rising to her eyes. “Just a whiskey,” he said coldly.
*
Shade sat on his haunches on the roof of the supermarket, watching the man Digger hired to kill Lily place his groceries in the car. He had taken the money to kill Lily, and he had a reputation of always finishing the job. He was good, just not good enough. One simple mistake had led to his downfall. Knox had tracked him down, giving Shade the information he needed.