The Silver Serpent - A Heist Novel

Best Buds

The truck pulls to a stop in front of a large hangar with the door just open enough to let us know that that's the one Tellio's in. Kiwi heads to the jet to start loading the art with the help of Mr. Payne's crew. Mr. Payne and I nod at each other and step in front of the dark hangar, taking a brief moment to steel ourselves before facing my father. It'll be the first time Mr. Payne has actually seen him since he, well, shot him.

"Are you ready?" I ask, drawing Payne's attention. He nods slowly, looking back at the door and taking a deep breath.

"If you need a moment, you can help Kiwi. I have to meet with Tellio first anyway," I offer, noticing his shaking hands.

"It would probably be suspicious if I went in too. I'll just wait until he leaves and then come in," He takes my offer and turns to leave, then looks back. "If you need me, just scream or something."

"Haha," I say, "I'll be fine." I'm really trying to reassure myself. He leaves and looks over his shoulder once but keeps on to the jet. I turn back around to the hangar's massive steel doors and take a shaky breath. I knock on the door and peer around the room, illuminated only by two shop lights in the front. The place seems empty, but I know better than that. Chances are, Tony's behind the door waiting to put me in another chokehold. I open the door, and when I hear a rustling from behind me, I drop to my knees and grab the person's shins, pulling their legs out from under them. They come crashing to the ground, and before they have a second to get up, I've scrambled over to put them in a chokehold with my leg around their throat. Only then do I get a clear picture of who it is I was fighting.

"Dad?" My eyebrows furrow in confusion. Did Tellio just leave him here for me to take care of?

"Hola, mijo," He croaks with a sick grin.

"Where's Tellio? What have you done with him?" I assume the worst and tighten my grip accordingly.

"Not even a 'hello, dad, it's nice to see you'?" He asks, ignoring my questions.

"When have I ever lied to you?" I shoot back with fake genuineness. "Now, where's Tellio?"

Instead of answering my question, he rolls over to look me in the eyes and winds back his arm throwing a solid punch to my sternum. All the air goes out of my lungs, and I foolishly let my grip slip. He takes the advantage to turn the situation around and pull me up to my feet, placing me in a regular chokehold.

"Nice," I cough. I pull on his arm, attempting to throw him over my shoulder, but he stands firm. On one pull, I bend far enough forward to launch myself backward over his shoulder, forcing him to release me in order to not fall to the ground. Hunched over, he rubs his throat. I get my fists at the ready in my boxing stance, and he does too.

"I don't want to hurt you, Pa." I start to put my fists down.

"Oh well, that's too bad." He rushes toward me, swinging his fist at my head. I stick my arm up and block it, then force both of our arms down.

"You don't have to do this," I try to reason with him.

"Don't I?" He attempts another swing-this time, I grab his arm and spin around him, holding his arms behind his back.

"You could beat me if you wanted to. Why are you holding back?" I hiss, hating to admit that he's stronger than me.

"Enough!" Tellio's voice booms from the shadows. He steps into the light, and I drop my father's arms, standing at attention.

"Signore, I'm so glad you're okay! I thought he killed you!" I exclaim. All he has to do is shoot me a look, and I shut my mouth, retreating to where I was previously standing.