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Still grappling about what to do with Gabriel, I focus on Jade.
Outside of the line of duty, I’ve never taken a life before, and never ever premeditated. But this woman had something to do with Taney’s death. She might have even held the gun herself. Either way, I need to take her out of the picture, and right now, with my emotions running high, I want one thing.
I want to kill the bitch.
I want her to suffer for every punch I received today.
For every tear for Taney.
And with Gabriel down, I’ll have one shot at this before he comes for me.
Wincing, I limp my way over several blocks as quickly as possible, with my eyes and ears tuned to any irregularities; there are none. No one follows me when I finally make my way to the front door of the club. There are people on the street enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and going about their day. Not as many in front of the club; this area is reserved for nighttime activity. But she’ll be in there.
I’m not in any condition to charge in and take someone down. Especially someone who has clearly been around as long as Jade.
It doesn’t matter.
Once I do this there will be no going back, though.
I have half a thought to text Devan and get him and the full might of the force down here but…it’s a big but.
The only thing that matters to me right now is stopping Jade. I don’t need to actually make it out. The killing calm, that same headspace I’ve learned to cultivate out of trauma and necessity, slips over me and all outside thought evaporates.
I only need to buy Devan time to come himself. With backup. Whether I’m alive or not when he shows up.
“Hey.” I snap my fingers at the chick walking past me on towering heels. She stops, glaring at me, one eyebrow arched. “Can I borrow your phone? I just need to send a quick text.”
“Honey. You need more help than that.”
“Please?”
I’m not usually the one begging. After some internal debate, the woman reaches into the tiny sparkling purse at her side and holds out her cell. “One text.”
It takes no time at all to draft a text to Devan to get search warrants for the club.
The precinct will need them in order to gather intel.
I tell Devan that Clint was the mole.
All out in one shot and I press send. I have no control over what he does with the information.
“Thanks.” I toss the phone back to the woman who stares me up and down like I need therapy. Well, been there, done that.
“Honey, get yourself to a doctor,” my savior in pleather says before she clicks off down the sidewalk.
I’ve still got the gun. Hopefully I won’t need to use it but I don’t trust myself not to. Once I’m inside, how will I react? What will I do?
The back entrance to the Velvet Underground isn’t one the regular customers know about. I wouldn’t have known either if not for Taney. She had me use it a few times with her, when neither of us wanted to be seen but we both needed some fresh air. Or those times when she tried to quit smoking and couldn’t suppress the urge. My heart clenches agonizingly behind my aching ribs.
The door will put me right at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to Jade’s office. What then? The part of my brain trained to be a member of a team screams at me to reconsider and wait for Devan. To tell him the truth about Gabriel’s hit on me, and what I learned about Jade, and let the 9th precinct handle this.
I grab the gun, my hands much steadier now than before.
Even if there is nothen, I know what has to be done.
I check the chamber, making sure I’ve got enough bullets, then take a deep breath and choke on the cough it gives up.Fuck. My ribs are in bad shape. Much worse than I thought.
I should wait for Devan. There are a lot of things I should do that press against my mind with phantom fists. I’m too wrapped up in anger and pain to give way to the voice in my head urging me to wait for him. I’ve got no time. If Jade hears any sirens, she’ll bolt.
