Perceive

The Hunt Is On

When I woke up, there was something different. And I don't mean the giant bear sleeping on top of me. No. I meant it was cold. Uncharacteristically very cold. Inspite of me setting the thermostat correctly for once and closing all the windows while the sun was still out.
Well the cold did explain why he was trying to squeeze me tighter towards him.
What happened next was very fast.
I could suddenly see two red dots and I tossed him on to the floor.
"Come on I'm cold...-"
"Adri, get down!!!!"...
"Cass, dammit, Cass..."
It stopped just as soon as it started. This was the last time. Assholes. Now I would take the fight to them.
The next time I woke, everything was fine. I guess the adrenaline was too much. It had hardly been a month, felt like years. Just like the good ol' days.
It was cute how we'd curled up under my bed instead of on it. Like a dog pile except you'd have to call it a cat pile because of Garfield of course.
Where was I, yes, I woke up to a relatively normal house, barring the damage caused by the shooting.
I always knew my house was temporary, but since I'd lived here for almost 5 years without incident, I was a little attached. Along with everything going on, I knew it was time for me to go back to one of the safe houses and regroup. While they still didn't know who they were hunting down. Once they'd figure that out, nowhere on Earth would be safe for me.
Keeping that in mind, I began to pack everything. Now the things in my house were all movable except the old couch and my bed. I would have to learn to live without it.
From behind me, came a very sleepy voice,"Running much.."
"Nope, it's called tactical retreat. It's the smart thing to do before they put two and two together. There's only one person they know who's capable of sending their ace level assassins to hell".
"And that's making you turn tail. What about your practice?"
"Dammit Adri, I'll see to that when I can, don't make me choose right now. They'll figure out who I am moreover, where I am soon enough. Then it'll be war, them or me. Because both won't survive, I cannot let that happen again. I want to have kids you know, not doing that, till they're all dead or so scattered they're not a threat anymore. Do you see that happening?"
"Cass, don't you think I can run with you, what makes you think I have anything keeping me here? Moreover, what makes you think I even came here. Could've been assigned to any state. I had a source who had a source who gave me a hint to where you were".
" You mean baby brother Sam, don't you?"
"The very same.."
"Ass"
"Okay then, I'll pack too".
"Don't you get it, they're not your garden variety mob house, they're big. They have blood ties to the worst people on this planet. I have to do this without risking anyone else. I can't lose you, you're too important to me".
" I have military training and clearance, or do you still think we're in middle school. You may be badass, but you're never going anywhere alone again. Forget it. Would you rather have me tail you, quietly and put myself in more danger, or keep me with you and safely in front of your eyes?"
"You can't be a cop anymore, you'll have to bend your rules, can you stomach that? Can you stomach me killing people in cold blood, because that's what I'm looking forward to".
"Whatever's necessary. I have seen worse while serving in the military, even if you don't believe me. I have killed my share of people, and wasn't allowed to ask, whether or not they were innocent. I was just made to shoot. I was a sniper, you know".
Well, this was new. I'd interrogate him later. Right now, I had to catch that donkey fucking bastard who ruined my house.
I'd decided to bait them, it might as well lead right to me, but it was high freaking time.
I happened to know where the Cianti stronghold was in Seattle. It's the reason why I went looking for a house in their damn backyard. It's the only place I was hoping they'd completely overlook. They considered themselves above the hipster scum that lived in that and I quote gutterly neighborhood.
It was barely a few blocks away from home. I dropped their calling card their doorstep quite literally, and drove on with Adri hiding in the backseat all the way to San Jose.
On reaching the safe house there, I realised it would always be an either or situation. Either I'd bring them down completely, or I would die in the process. The third option was to go on the run, permanently. If you asked me, I'd honestly say, I'd rather run. But it was time to face my past, my fear and hopefully with Adri on my side I'd be halfway successful.
The plan would be carried out in two phases. Phase one would be baiting them into believing, that I was ready to surrender or to join them. Once I'd breached the perimeter of their Seattle stronghold, I'd fix up the place with as many as bugs as possible. Of course that wouldn't be easy. But all we needed was a footage of anything going wrong. And all the wrongdoing was usually kept to the basement or to the topmost floor. Never in the middle. Once the bugs were in place, Adri's back up team would just break in and catch them in the act. Everything including the task force was fully prepped and ready to go.
Phase one of my plan had worked out perfectly. They'd understood. They'd put all the pieces together. But instead of sending someone to kill me, they sent me direct missive to come back. That they'd accept me inspite of my transgressions, if I just agreed to the previous terms.
Thankfully, I was far away from the safe house. I knew someone was watching, so I made the regular gesture for compliance. Exposing my neck to the sky with my hands crossed  on my chest.
Soon this would reach Alex's ears, and that's when the real game would begin.