Four hours later, we grabbed food from the food court and headed out. Emeril and Hector had taken multiple trips to the SUV until Sal had deemed my purchases enough to last for three months and then some.
When we got out to the parking lot, I frowned at the small cargo trailer that was now hooked to the SUV. And I frowned at the sight of the sun setting. We'd really wasted all day here?
"Between the moonshine, your bags, and the suitcases, the SUV got pretty full." Emeril started, unlocking the trailer. "This way, we have plenty of room for other pitstops." I nodded in understanding. So we were going to hit a few targets on the way to Louisiana. The drive from here to there without stops would take about ten hours. Seeing as we had to be there Sunday for brunch and it was only Wednesday night, we had plenty of time.
"I also rented a car for me and the pup." Hector started, unlocking the sedan parked beside the SUV. "Figured if I show up earlier than you guys, they won't suspect that we suspect anything."
"Smart move." Sal agreed, Emeril nodding in agreement. While Hector tossed his bags and suitcase into the trunk, Emeril and Sal worked on packing the trailer so the moonshine wouldn't move during the drive.
I hugged Hector one last time before he took off for Louisiana – planning on driving straight through until he got there.
We checked into a hotel and left Sal to watch over the trailer while Emeril and I drove over to the first target's house forty minutes from our hotel. On the way, I cleaned my gun and filled a few clips.
"This one won't be as clean cut." Emeril started when we were about five minutes away. "This time, we're hitting a compound."
"A compound? Just the two of us?" He chuckled and glanced at me. "I have faith in you, Emeril. But myself? Not so much."
"We've got backup meeting us there." I nodded once. "This one will be quick – once we fire the first bullet, they'll be on us."
As we pulled into a dirt driveway a minute down the road from the compound, I tucked the clips into the pockets of my cargo pants and pulled on the double shoulder holster Emeril had gotten me. When we finally made it to the small clearing hidden deep in the woods, Emeril cut the engine and we got out. Seven guys were waiting for us, three of them flicking out cigarettes at the sight of us.
"Extra guns and bullets?" The man I assumed was the leader announced, watching me tuck my gun into my holster. "Extra weapons?"
"Just make sure your men are ready." Emeril ordered, pulling out an extra gun to hand me. I tucked it into my holster before accepting the large hunting knife he offered, strapping it to my thigh. The guys started double checking their guns and bullets, making sure they'd strapped themselves down with everything they'd need. "Listen, Sierra." Emeril started when the guys started heading towards the woods, leading the way.
"Who is that guy?" I asked, glaring at the leader's back as I tugged on my gloves.
"Gonzalo's associate, Diego." We fell silent as they slowed to allow us to catch up. Once we did, Diego started talking as we walked.
"Headcount is forty, give or take. Three buildings – we'll split into groups of three to take them on." He pulled out a map that someone had drawn in glow in the dark paint. Smart. "I'll go with Emeril and Sierra, the rest of you divide up and pick a building. We've got dibs on the main one."
When we finally reached the outskirts of the compound, I realized why we'd parked and walked in. The fence was tall, and live. One of the guys – never did manage to catch their names – disabled the fence. Then five guys made quick work with the bolt cutters they'd brought before dropping them to the ground.
"See you guys on the other side." Diego announced then, a dismissal if I ever heard one. They filled through the fence opening they'd created, leaving Emeril, Diego and I to go last. First wound of the night was a scratch across my cheek as I slipped through the opening of the fence.
We made it to the main building and inside, picking off guards with a silencer, before a warning sound began blaring from somewhere within a building to our right. From there, guys started running out of random doors throughout the warehouse, taking a bullet to the chest or head before they could even lift their guns.
Emeril and Diego took point as we marched through the halls, shielding me and taking either side while I took the middle, pushing through the warehouse quickly and efficiently.
By the time we made it through the building and back outside, the other six guys were waiting for us. One was bleeding from a gash on his cheek, and one had a bullet in his arm, but other than my minor black eye from taking a headbutt to the face when a guy had jumped out of a darkened doorway while Diego was occupied, we were good.
The moment we got back to the hotel, I took a shower and fell into bed, moaning while Emeril rubbed some tincture into my skin to lessen the bruising.
YOU ARE READING
Falling for an Italian Mobster
RomanceAfter everything I'd been through, I was supposed to have a free pass from the family businesses. I'd made a whole life for myself far from the illegal temptations that either side of my family had to offer. Until my grandfather decided he was tired...
