The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 87 Crossfire Cristos , , ...

After what happened last night, | thought this was going to be a quiet Monday. Boy, was | wrong.

| was clicking away on my laptop like my life depended on it, trying to get CCTV footage from Sebastian's current location. Not one single camera was online. It was either Pete McDowell owned Aspire Tower and had his security turn all CCTV cameras off or he had a hacker blocking me. | initiated a search for a code Pete's hacker might have embedded in the encryption.

“I'm going up to check. Delgado’s car is parked but his engine is still running,” Sebastian said. through speakerphone.

“Wait for backup, Dom,” | warned Sebastian. “Big Man Lou and my men are about a couple of minutes away.

Don’t go at this alone. It might be a trap.

An unfamiliar voice suddenly filled Joy's shop.

“SD... What does SD mean?” “Who in the f uck-" | gestured to Xavier to keep quiet and listen. Joy inched closer to Xavier's phone, curious as to who was speaking.

“Sefior De Vega? Is this you? | can hear you breathing. The owner of the unfamiliar voice laughed, snorting at the end. Joy covered her mouth and gasped in surprise while Xavier glanced atanxiously. We knew that laugh. It was Pete McDowell.

We waited for Sebastian to say something, but he kept quiet.

“Your man in the Honda Accord is dead. Did you actually think we wouldn't notice him. following my men?” He snickered, snorting when he was done. “You killed my mother and you are so desperately trying to kill me. News flash... | have nine lives, baby. You better watch your back, De Vega, because I'm coming for you,” he hissed.

We waited for more, but all we got was silence.

1/ H CHAPTER 87 Crossfire his body.” “No. Get out of there, Dom, | said, looking at my laptop which was still searching for codes. “I told you it might be a trap. | will instruct Big Man Lou and my men to retrieve Delgado’s body. Did you drive your Mercedes-Benz there or did you use another car?” “I switched cars before coming here. The Mercedes-Benz is at the gas station,” Sebastian answered. “Pete has Marla. This is all my fault.” “We're going to fix this. For now, get the hell out of there,” Xavier said. “Sam is on his way to Bismarck to look for Pete. | promise you, Dom. We'll find her.” We heard him sigh regretfully.

“Sure. If Sam finds anything, inform me. I'll help rescue her,” Sebastian said. “Wait.” He paused. “Do you guys hear that?” “What? What is it?” Xavier asked, not hiding the panic in his voice.

It's gunfire,” Sebastian answered. We heard him mutter a curse beneath his breath before hearing the familiar sound of tires against the smooth pavement of a carpark. ‘I'll call your guys later.” He hung up.

| glanced at my laptop and noticed it had found the embedded code. Ah, there's a hacker in this town. | smirked.

It was tto see who's better.

| removed it and the footage from the CCTV cameras emerged on the screen of my laptop. Af the carpark, Big Man Lou and a team of my men were engaged in a gun fight. A dark colored. sedan suddenly cinto view, opening its doors for the others to enter. Sof the men. scurried inside while the others ran into Big Man Lou’s white van. The dark sedan quickly. drove off towards the exit of the carpark with Lou's van following closely behind.

| watched several men enter a car, chasing after the fleeing vehicles. However, as they tu into ongoing traffic, the car suddenly swerved, stalling in the middle of the busy street, causing a pile up.

| zoomed in on the car and saw a circular cr ack in the windshield. It was a bullet hole.

Xavier's phone began vibrating. He answered, a smug smile on his face. “Good work, Sam Now grab one and torture him ‘til he talks. Cut off a finger when he lies.” My phone pinged. | placed my Bluetooth device in my ear before answering, so | could ke my hands free. | was going through all the footage, hoping | would find Marla in any of it.

CHAPTER 87 Crossfire “Yes?” It was Big Man Lou.

“I have a location on Marla, Primo. Coffee Haven Diner. According to Domenico, the diner and the pharmacy beside it are owned by the McDowells. We are on our way there.” That was strange. | never placed a tracker on Marla and if Sebastian had one on her, why would he need to look for her in the first place? “How do you know she’s at the diner, Lou?” “From Domenico. He has just instructedto drive to Coffee Haven Diner.” Marla must have texted him. Pete overlooked the possibility that Sebastian might have bought Marla a phone. | guess she kept it on silent this whole time, biding her time. Smart girl.

“I'm hacking into the CCTV areas around Coffee Haven Diner,” | said, clicking furiously on my laptop.

“Sam, did you hear that?” Xavier said on his phone. “Get there and give our men scover.

Pete’s men are armed, give them a chance to use their weapons.” Xavier hung up, then pointed at Virtue. “I have a car out back. | need you to cwith me.” Virtue stood up eagerly. She was finally going to be of use in all this chaos.

“What do you needto do, Bo?” Virtue purred, following Xavier to the secret wall panel.

“We're going to rescue Marla’s mother. | bet Pete is using her as leverage to get to Marla. If Pete’s men aren't in the house, they are definitely outside watching the house. We need booze, cigarettes and weapons... and shoes in your case,” Xavier said, pointing at her bunny slippers. “Con, J. Let’s put your training to use.” While they set off to save Marla’s mother, | finally got into the feed at the diner. | zoomed i and saw Marla standing in the crossfire between two groups.

“Lou, you still there?” “Aye, what do you see?” Lou asked.

“We g got bikers in the area. Marla is between them and Pete’s men. The bikers look like they're trying to save her.” CHAPTER 87 Crossfire “Copy that. | have a plan.” Marla | stood in the middle of two groups. One group knew was armed but few, the other group | knew was brave. Unfortunately, bravery couldn't stop a bullet.

| gasped for air while | trembled in fear.

| felt sick to my stomach realizing | would be the first to die.

“Riley, what the f uck are you doing with Marla?” Big Mike said, getting off his motorcycle. | kept my hands raised above my head and turned towards the bikers.

“Please help me,” | cried out, not sure if they even heard me. My heart was racing, my to ask for help again, louder this time, so | was sure they’d hear me. | swallowed the lump in my throat and licked my dry lips before | spoke. “Please, please help me.” breathing shallow, and my whole body was shaking. | decided “Mike, | suggest you and your crew turn around and leave,” Riley said. “You don’t want to get on the boss’ bad side.” Big Mike ignored the warning. He took a couple of steps towards me, then stopped. | looked around and saw all of Pete’s men aiming their guns at him, including Riley.

“Riley, she’s one of us. I... we... can’t allow this. You tell your boss if he wants a girl to csee me, Big Mike negotiated. “The police are just around the corner, Riley. You guys better put your guns down.” “Sorry, Mike, no can do,” Riley said, sneering at him. “If | don’t bring Marla to him, I'm as dead. Now, Marla, be a sweetheart and GET IN THE F UCKING VAN!” | winced as Ril yelled in my ear. | nodded my head acknowledging what he wantedto do, but | did move.

| couldn’t move even if | tried. | was so terrified. | just stood there shaking uncontrollab “Marla, one call fromand the men surrounding your house will kill your mother. Do want to be the reason why your mother ends up dead? Do you want that on your conscience?” Riley asked, his voice furious.

11:42 Thu, Mar CHAPTER 87 Crossfire My heart sank. They had my mother. The odds weren't in my favor.

“Don’t hurt my mother, please. She's all I've got, | begged.

“Then get your as s in the-" Riley wasn’t able to finish his sentence. A white van cspeeding into the parking lot, hitting him. He flew into the air like one of my old rag dolls and landed near Big Mike's feet.

| heard gunfire as | stood there frozen, not knowing what to do. | felt an arm circle my waist, pullinginto the white van. | screamed and kicked, not knowing who had grabbed me. Before the van’s door closed, | saw Big Mike wave to whoever was in the van before he jumped on his big bike.

“Marla, you're safe.” | heard Dom's voice. | looked around, but I couldn’t find him. None of the men inside the van were him.

“Dom?” | asked confused, still shaking from my ordeal.

“Here on the phone,” Dom said. “These are my friends. They'll be driving you to Mandan. I'll meet you there.

Lou, keep her safe and thank you.” “Will do, Dom,” the driver said. “Marla, I'm Lou. Please take a seat and put your seatbelt on.

We'll be safe once we are out of Bismarck.” | heaved a huge sigh of relief. One of Dom's friends pulledup and gestured forto sit in one of the empty chairs. | followed Lou’s instructions and put my seatbelt on.

As | sat there quietly thanking G od for a second chance, it dawned on me...

I was in love with Dom.

Chapter Comments Luna-Mom oh Marla VIEW 1 COMMENT 07 POST COMMENT 8 5/5 11:42 Thu, Mar 25 Ky of t