THE VICKERS

Chapter 27

After the text, our determination shot through the roof. There was a stream of hope that cut through the tense air in the warehouse. I was ready for this nightmare to be over. We were going to get our sister back and we were doing it tonight. Devin had left to go negotiate with Juno and get him to possibly work with us to get our sister back.

It was an awful plan admittedly, but what other choice did we have at this point? Tino? I didn't trust that guy. I'd trust an enemy more than I trust someone who pretends to be your friend. I wanted to go with Devin, but of course, he wouldn't let me. Claiming he needed me to watch the diamonds. I think he just didn't want to have to worry about me. I suppose it made sense. 

An hour passed as I paced from wall to wall. I would check the phone then look outside then go back inside and pace again. I texted him to find out what was happening. Not hearing from him driving was me crazy.

I couldn't take it anymore. I knew where he was, so I'd just go. Only problem was he took the most recent car we stole. I was stranded.

I debated whether to walk into town. If I left now, it would have been too late to catch him at Juno's bar. I grunted in frustration.

"Why won't he respond?" I grumbled to myself squeezing, checking the phone for the millionth time. I was about to give in when I heard the sound of glass cracking under footsteps behind me.

He's back.

~~~~

Devin pulled up outside Juno's bar not long after leaving the warehouse. His heart raced. This was a stupid idea and he knew it. He could walk in and be shot point-blank. But maybe, just maybe he'd get a chance to talk to Juno. He was hoping for the latter.

He'd made a few enemies in this bar over the weekend. He secretly prayed none of them were there. Patrons walked in and out of the bar. None of them looked like the ones he'd fought over the last couple of days. His hand rested on the car door handle for a few seconds as he contemplated his options. Juno might not even be here, he thought. But there weren't many other options at this point. If he was unlucky enough, Juno would be there. 

Before stepping out, he felt the gun at his waist. He pulled it out and looked at it, checking the bullets left inside the chamber. He contemplated whether or not to bring it in. He placed it below the driver's seat. Devin pulled the shiv from his ankle and dropped it on the floor of the car too. 

He exhaled heavily. Maybe I should have taken Tino's offer, he thought briefly. Then he shook the thoughts away. His phone buzzed with another text from Marcus to meet him at his house.

Devin didn't think that was smart. So he suggested another place, a little back alley by the fire station. It wasn't too far from Juno's bar. If he needed backup Marcus could easily make it there. He quickly updated Marcus on where he was. The memory of Dahlia being tied up washed over him, and he found a new level of courage. 

Stepping into the bar, nothing much had changed. Everyone was still happily drinking and smoking on a Sunday afternoon. He didn't make it five steps in when someone called out in his direction. 

"You got some nerves you little fucker."

He stopped and looked to his left to see one of the men he'd cornered and fought in the bathroom not too long ago. Before he could respond, he was surrounded by five of Juno's men. Two of them grabbed his arm aggressively. His instinct would have been to fight back. But he didn't, fighting wasn't the goal, not yet.

The one standing before him, he remembered from in the bathroom of the bar. His nose was bandaged. Probably broken from when Devin rammed it into the sink. "He's here boss" the man reported on a phone.