High Stakes Gamble

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kai had warned Sonny that he needed to be ready to roll at precisely midnight. That the trucks would be arriving at the warehouse with their goods and his Mexican counterpart, Señor Andres, would be expecting payment and a personal meeting.

After the death of Dominic, Andres wished to ascertain whether they would continue to do business. Not aware that Sonny had actually killed his stepfather in cold blood (at least Kai didn’t believe Andres knew) the fact that the connection would now be with Sonny, an enigma, posed a problem.

Unknown to both those parties, Kai had arranged for another contingent to show up that would thwart both men and put an end to their underground activities. Cold heartedly and with total righteousness, Kai had made the arrangements for a raid by a task force that would take them all down. Now he just had to make sure it went according to plan.

Both parties had to be there at midnight and the human cargo had to be safe. Then he’d give the signal.

Finally he heard Sonny arrive. Shit! What the hell was that blonde whore doing here? Maylene preened, her blouse cut low, highlighting over-large tits obtained surgically no doubt. Her hard, heavily made-up eyes dared Kai to oppose.

The men, gathered around the clubhouse waiting impatiently, glanced from Sonny and then back to him. For some reason, their allegiance had switched over to him in the last few days and they now waited to follow his cue. F*ck!

“Right! You all know what to do. Maylene. You sure you want in on this?”

“I go where Sonny goes. He’s the boss.” Kai picked up on her bold hint to remind him who mattered. Wasn’t the way she’d acted the day before when she’d grabbed at him in the hallway at the back of the clubhouse. He’d had to physically shove her aside to get past, her imprint burning his crotch and sick bile crowding his throat.

“Fine. We’re cutting it short so let’s move.”

Within a few minutes, they pulled up to their large warehouse and entered through a side door. Activity all around showed the men preparing for the incoming haul of cocaine. Cells in the back where they kept the girls were empty and waiting and the trucks ready to transport the drugs to different centers were also on the premises.

A short blast of a horn followed by two others indicated the arrival of their guests and Kai gave the go-ahead for the guys to open the large industrial overhead doors.

Sure enough, four transport trucks pulled inside followed by one stunning black Hummer van.

Sonny, standing next to Kai, moved restlessly, whereas Maylene stood full of attitude. Attitude that could get her killed. Kai noticed the gun stuck in the back of her skin-tight pants and wished he’d seen it earlier. Shit! The bitch could be trouble.

A large Mexican stepped out of the open door of the Hummer and three men surrounded him, AK47s carried by each of them. Andres moved like a man who knew his worth. Haughty from being spoiled with millions, nonetheless his eyes were all-seeing and Kai knew instantly he wasn’t a man to trust… or to deceive.

Kai waited for Sonny to speak, but he seemed tongue-tied. Not wanting things to go bad, he took the lead. “Señor Andres? Good to meet you. I’d like to present my boss, Sonny Angeli.”

Taking his cue, Sonny stepped forward along with Maylene. “Hey there. Glad to meetcha.” After her elbow jabbed his side, he added. “This is my girl, Maylene. We have your funds waiting in the office. And we’ll do business once Kai here inspects the merchandise. If you come with me, I also have some drinks we can share while we wait.”

Perfect! Kai had gone over this part with Sonny and was glad he’d thought to do so. Now to get the girls safely installed in the back and then he’d give the signal.

Like ants moving in a rhythm they’d learned by rote from working together so many times, the action moved smoothly. As each truck was loaded and left, Kai knew they’d be pulled over as soon as they cleared the vicinity. But not until the raid had happened here in the warehouse.

Okay, the girls were off loaded and safe, time to push the button on the cell in his pocket. Within a few heartbeats, men in uniform swarmed the place entering through back and side doors conveniently left open. They moved in every direction, calling out that they were LAPD.

The men who’d entered the office came out with guns blazing only to be taken down by the armed SWAT team.

One of the officers who knew Kai well recognized him and threw him a salute. Unfortunately Maylene, who’d run from the office, caught the motion and understood. She pulled her gun and shot him in the arm before getting shot herself. Sonny, scuttling toward the side door to escape caught a bullet and screamed for Kai.

He never knew what possessed him to run through the barrage of bullets to get to the man. Once he started, it was like he was possessed. Skidding finally to where he could lean over Sonny, he heard him sobbing first for his momma and then for Kai.

“I’m here, Sonny.” Kai saw the large hole in his stomach, blood gushing as fast as the heart pumped.

Pitiful to the end, Sonny whispered. “D-Don’t leave me Kai. I’m s-scared. Am I gonna die?”

Kai just couldn’t lie to Sonny anymore. “Fraid so, my man. Anything you want me to tell your mom?”

“I love her. Tell her that. And Kai, I love you too. You treated me r-ri-ght.” Sonny didn’t leave the world gracefully. But all too soon, he gave up the fight and let go.

Oh Christ! Kai’s heart slipped for a moment in sympathy for the little kid who’d never had a real friend. Too bad that loss had affected him adversely once he grew up.

A movement to his right showed that Andres, barricaded up till now in the windowless office, had decided to make a run for it. Instantly, Kai made up his mind. Not on my watch. He pulled his weapon and fired. The man grabbed his thigh and went down, falling against the office door.

That’s when he saw Maylene. She must have crawled there to hide after she’d taken the bullet. The bitch still had her gun. This time, she aimed for Kai’s heart.