KILLER INSTINCT (A Mafia Bad Boy Romance Novel) (17 page)

I checked all angles of entry into the building. It didn’t look like the Black Fang would have a counter-sniper or any other countermeasures against a sharpshooter. As well-equipped as they were, they preferred to fight with a sledgehammer when a scalpel would’ve sufficed.

No wonder my grandfather had chosen this area. I could easily provide covering fire from this elevated position. Even though the Black Fang had a manpower advantage against us, we had the element of surprise.

Speaking of them, our enemy arrived in style. I spotted a dozen limousines driving straight. It would’ve seemed like some dictator from a third world country was coming to town.

Then again, this was Gregori we were talking about. Several armed soldiers stepped out of the cars and began scouting the area. I took off the scope of my sniper rifle in case the lens glare prematurely alerted the Black Fangs to my presence. At this range, I was still a damn good shot without it.

The big man himself stepped out after one of his soldiers gave the clear. He was dressed in gaudy clothes and expensive jewelry. Gregori looked smug as though he was on his victory lap. My grandfather had fed the man’s ego with this arrangement. It would be easier to take him down if he thought the Pastore family was on the ropes and asking for peace.

Then, another man emerged from Gregori’s right. He wore a tactical combat vest that was typically seen on Russian soldiers. He had an assault rifle slung over his shoulder. This man had no intention of seeking peace. He was here for a fight.

It was Sergei Petrov.

I had always been a well-disciplined sniper. I waited until the perfect shot. I never let my anger cloud my judgment. Now, I had to use every fiber of my willpower to resist putting him down. Only the concern I felt for Kelly kept me from losing it.

A fresh bandage lined Petrov’s cheek. He received it when I returned fire during our shootout in the penthouse. It explained the blood I had seen earlier. He had escaped death once again.

Today, I’d finish the job.

Gregori and his men entered the warehouse to meet with my grandfather. It was almost like a standoff from the Old West. I still couldn’t risk using a lens to zoom in on the situation just yet. Thankfully, Kelly’s wire let me listen in on the conversation.

“Hello, Mr. Gregori,” my grandfather said with a false smile. “I see that you’re fashionably late as expected. Shall we get down to business?”

Gregori laughed. “The only business is why I shouldn’t execute your entire family?”

“Your grandson was seen with that bitch,” Petrov growled touching his bandage. “He almost killed me! I want his head!”

“I’m well aware of that,” the great Don Pastore said coolly. “I’ve given him a time out so we can discuss terms. I’ve brought you the girl in hopes of resolving this peacefully. Shall we discuss terms?”

“My terms are that you surrender that boy as well,” Gregori snarled, staring at Kelly. “That bitch will do for now. Her father cost me my wealth. She’s been a thorn in my side for the last two weeks!”

Kelly began to sob quietly. The woman was a born actress. “Please, don’t hurt me-”

“Quiet,” my grandfather said, lacing his fingers under his chin. “What do intend to do with the girl? You’ve already blown up a penthouse chasing after you money and tying loose ends.”

Petrov eyed the young woman before licking his lips. “Maybe I’ll cut her into a thousand pieces. Maybe I’ll fuck her before killing her. It depends on what mood I’m in.”

Kelly continued to sell the part of a terrified college student. My grandfather didn’t break his composure. “Are you in the mood for a deal then?”

Petrov scoffed at the idea. A man like hated to negotiate when he could take what he wanted. Gregori, however, seemed amused at the proposal. “You give us your grandson and maybe we might come to an understanding. He’s cost me very much by harboring this woman. He was last seen with her.”

“My deal is that you turn around and leave,” my grandfather replied, starring daggers into the two men. “You might have lost your fortune but it’s not too late to keep your life. You leave with what little dignity you have and disappear into Siberia or God knows where. As for Petrov, he stays behind. The man killed my daughter and he’ll be put to trial for his crimes. Blood can only be paid with blood. That’s my best offer.”

“That is your deal?” Gregori said, breaking out into a fit of giggles. Petrov chuckled at the idea as well. “You want me to leave empty handed? You want to have Petrov on trial in some court with you acting as judge, jury, and executioner? In case you haven’t noticed, I have more men than you.”

“Get the fuck out of this city,” my grandfather growled. I hadn’t seen him this angry in years. “Get out of this country and don’t ever come back. Leave the girl and Petrov behind. Leave my grandson alone. Don’t come back or else I’ll make you wish you’ve never been born.”

“I have more men,” Gregori said, reaching into his pocket. I tightened the grip I had on my sniper rifle in case he tried anything. “I have more guns.”

Gregori drew a small handgun and pointed it at my grandfather. The Pastore men drew their guns as well. The Black Fang army responded by drawing their firearms as well.

Ignoring the gun in his face, my grandfather raised a hand. “Easy everyone. No need for violence if we can avoid it.”

However, Gregori didn’t share the sentiment. “No, I think violence is exactly what I want.”

He reached out to grab Kelly. My heart raced as I heard her scream for help. The acting was over and she knew she was in danger.

The whole warehouse went into Defcon One. I could almost hear the men cock their guns and point it at each other. The situation was balanced at a knife point.

Gregori used Kelly as a human shield in case my grandfather’s men tried to fire at him. I felt my heart skip a beat as he held the woman I loved. She cried out. “Let go of me!”

The drug kingpin merely laughed. “And why should I let you go?”

My grandfather answered for me. “Because my grandson is about to end your miserable life. Now, Jackie!”

One shot.

One Kill

I fired a round.

Kelly broke off her handcuffs.

And all hell broke loose.

One moment, Seymon Gregori was holding me from behind.

The next moment I felt a spray of blood from the same direction.

I did what Jackie has instructed. I hit the floor and crawled towards some cover behind a stack of crates. It was just in time to avoid an exchange of gunfire.

The fight had begun. I knew I had signed up for this but I was terrified. Only the thought of Jackie watching me like guardian angel gave me the courage I needed.

I heard the sound of bullets whizzing by. Soon, they were followed by small explosions. They were no doubt grenades hurled by Petrov.

I peeked over the side of the crate to see a dead body. The man’s expensive clothes were now stained with blood. His head had been blasted into a thousand pieces. It was Gregori’s body.

The man who led to my father’s death was dead.

I kept me head down and curled into a ball as Jackie had taught me. It was difficult to say who was winning. Friend and foe were dying alike. I saw a dozen dead bodies and it had barely been a minute.

I lost track of everything. I didn’t know where Don Pastore was. His wheelchair was empty except for a large bloodstain. Jackie’s sniper rifle had gone silent. I didn’t know whether he had run out of ammunition or someone had got to him. I prayed that he was alright.

However, a crazed Black Fang soldier ran across the warehouse. Avoiding a hail of gunfire, he turned a corner and came charging at me. The main raised his handgun at me.

I couldn’t dodge in time.

He fired his gun.

BANG!

I felt like I had been hit with a softball to the chest. The wind had been knocked out of me. Yet, I didn’t feel any major pain.

Looking down, I saw that my vest had stopped the small handgun round. The man was just as surprised. He began to aim higher at my exposed flesh.

Suddenly, the man yelled in pain before falling down.

I saw Don Pastore on his back with a knife. I looked away as he slit the man’s throat. “Not her you son of a bitch.”

I crawled towards Jackie’s grandfather before moving his body to a safe location. His clothing was dark with blood. When we were safe, I examined the source of the blood. “Oh no…”

It wasn’t just the blood of his enemies. A stray bullet must have hit him in the abdomen. “You’re bleeding.”

“More pleasant than a round of chemotherapy,” he laughed, blood falling from his lips. I didn’t need to know where the bullet had hit. The man had months to live. Now, it would be a miracle if he lasted a minute. “Don’t worry about me. Keep your head down until this is all over.”

The damage was too great for even an emergency room to do anything, “Thank you for everything, Mr. Pastore. I wish I could help you…”

“Name your son after me,” he said, looking half serious. The light was leaving his eyes. “Just take care of Jackie for me.”

I took his hand in mine. “I will.”

The man’s body slumped and he breathed his last.

Don Pastore was dead.

Before I could mourn, I felt a hand grab me. He turned my body and revealed himself to be one of Gregori’s men. His hands began choking me.

The next instance, I felt his grip become loose. The man grunted in pain before following to his knees. It looked him the very life had been beaten out of him.

Another man moved like greased lightning as he hit my attacker with a flurry of punches. Then, he used a handgun to finish him off. I flinched at the sound of the gun firing at point blank range. After the deed was done, I looked up at the man.

It was Jackie.