Hellcat

Chapter 40

To forget about his pain, Matt threw himself into explaining everything that he learned about the Yakuza's activities in Hell's Kitchen. How they attacked Elektra in her penthouse condo. The whole story of what happened at the gala they went to. Even the secret ledger they stole at the gala. And, there was one weak link in the Yakuza's chain. Matt wanted to exploit it. Get that link alone. That link's name was Stan Gibson.

We snuck into the parking garage of the Yakuza-run company, Roxxon, that Stan worked for, waiting on the pipes below the ceiling for our target. I spotted three men heading towards a parked, black SUV. Two were definitely Yakuza. One trailed a few yards behind as the other led a man in his late fifties to the vehicle. I glanced up, knowing Matt sensed the movement. He tilted his head towards me, listening for a moment before nodding.

Just as Stan was ushered into the car, Matt dropped down onto the trailing Yakuza guard, knocking him out with a swift punch. The guard left beside the SUV made to draw his gun when I dropped down onto his shoulders. He didn't have time to react before I tightened my legs around his neck and swung myself back. My weight pulling him back flung his body into the pillar behind me while I landed in a simple crouch.

I heard the panicking in the car as Matt came and offered his hand. He knew I didn't need it but a part of me thought he wanted that contact just to assure himself I was still here. I heard the car door close on the other side of the vehicle before glancing over. Matt released my hand as I saw Stan dive for the guard Matt took care of. "Come on. Shit, shit, shit," Stan chanted as he fumbled for the guard's gun, managing to pull it from the holster.

"You don't want to do that, Stan," Matt called out as we approached slowly. Stan whipped around with a gasp; gun shakily aimed at us. "Don't... don't move," Stan sniffled, attempting to sound strong. "You're an accountant. A greedy one, yes... but something tells me, even if you take that shot, you're gonna miss. And trust me... you don't wanna miss," Matt told the man, his voice simultaneously sinister and calming.

"I'm not like them," Stan spoke up, fear making his voice quiver. "Who?" I asked, careful to keep my voice soft. "I don't do what they do," Stan continued as if that was an answer. "Are you talking about the Hand?" Matt asked him. "Yes," Stan confirmed, his hands continuing to shake. "Put the gun down," Matt muttered to him, hoping to keep him calm. "How do I know you're not working with them –"

Stan started to ask when I reached forward. Grabbing the barrel of the gun, I twisted my body so I wasn't in the line of fire while also twisting the gun from his grip. Then I grabbed Stan's tie with my free hand and shoved him to the ground, never letting go of that tie. "I didn't say anything. Please, I didn't say anything," Stan begged me.

"That's the problem, Stan. What do you know about the Hand?" Matt asked, leaning over me. "I don't. Please, I'd rather die," Stan continued to plead, hands up by his head. "Well, that's not gonna help anyone," I growled down at him. "They destroy everything that gets in their way," Stan continued to plead. "The Roxxon Corporation... the secret room... the ledger, the dirt, the hole. We know about it all, Stan. We need to know what they're planning," Matt ordered. "Planning? It's already been done," Stan said with fear in his eyes. "What's been done?" I pushed, tightening my grip on his tie. "Nothing!" Stan continued to shake as he denied everything.

"We'll protect you," Matt offered, his voice softening once more. "They have my son. They took Daniel!" Stan started to sob. No wonder he wasn't saying anything. "I don't know what they're doing to him. These bodyguards weren't protecting me. They were holding me hostage. If I tell you anything... they will kill my son," Stan whimpered, closing his eyes against the tears.

The gentle brush against my shoulder was enough to let me know it was time to let him go. So I slowly released my grip on Stan's tie, standing to my full height. Stan let out a small whimper, eyes flashing open. "Where are they holding him?" Matt asked. "Some kind of drug operation. I don't know what they're doing there. They call it the Farm," Stan started explaining. "Take us there," I responded firmly. "I've thought about it... but it's a fortress. It's impossible to get inside," Stan argued. This time, it was Matt's turn to lean over him menacingly. "Take us there." And he did.