Falling for the Killer

But as I turned away from Monk’s and started back toward Gian’s, a van suddenly came screeching around the corner and slammed to a stop next to me.

I stared in surprise. There was nobody else around—the sidewalk was empty. Monk’s was located on a little side street, surrounded by quiet row homes. The back door slid open and some dumb part of me thought maybe I was being filmed in a movie or something, because three guys came out wearing black clothes and black masks.

“Ashleigh Adamson,” one said, coming toward me, big and muscular, and I took a step back and turned, ready to run screaming—

When hands grabbed me by the wrist, then the waist, I thrashed and my elbow caught someone in the mouth. “Fucking bitch,” he growled, and someone punched me in the gut.

I gasped, doubled over, as they dragged me into the van, shoved a bag over my head, and slammed the door shut.

18

Gian

Something was wrong with Ash.

It was obvious the second we got home from that hit. I thought the bath might help calm her down and draw her out, but she only went into her room and never came out again.

I knew better than to push. I’d seen this happen before with other guys in the family. Even the toughest, baddest motherfuckers sometimes broke down at their first kill. Watching someone die wasn’t easy—and watching someone kill was even harder. Ash got thrown into shark-infested waters, and now it was up to her to decide if she wanted to swim or get out.

I wanted her to stay. So I pretended to go about my day like normal, but left Brett to watch my place, just in case.

“You sure you’re up for this?” I asked the young soldier. We stood across the street and down the block, hidden away by a group of trees.

“I’m sure, boss,” he said. “I’m not much use on the street right now.” He patted his wounds. He was still healing from getting put in the hospital. “But at least I can watch someone, right?”

“I appreciate that.” I touched his shoulder than left him there to keep an eye out in case Ash decided to make a move.

She was going through something and wouldn’t be thinking straight. If she decided to run back to her family, I’d leave her alone—I wasn’t about to kidnap the girl. I knew where she lived and I’d watch her in case she tried to cut me out of the baby’s life. As much as I wanted her, I needed that baby even more—it was my chance to prove that I wasn’t just some street thug killer.

It was my chance to do something halfway decent with this pathetic life.

I went through my usual routine, visited with my guys, checked on my corners, and it was all quiet. The Healys hadn’t tried to hit back yet, but they would eventually, I had no doubt about that. Colm Healy ran the second most powerful crew in Philadelphia, and he got to his position through violence and coercion. That wasn’t about to stop now, just because I put some bullets in a couple of his boys.

If anything, it would only spark more retaliation, and I had to be ready.

After a few hours, toward the end of the night, I got a text from Brett. Ash left the house. Following.

I felt a little stutter in my chest and started driving back in that direction. I got another text a few minutes later. Went to Monk’s. What should I do?

I typed back, Stay where you are and keep an eye on it. On my way.

I found Brett sitting on a stoop across the street from Monk’s. He wasn’t even trying to hide and grinned sheepishly as I rolled down the block.

“Hey, boss,” he said. “She’s been in there for ten minutes now.”

“You see her with anyone?” I asked.

He shook his head. “She went in alone. People have been coming in and out since then though.”

“Anyone that might be her dad?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know what a rich old white guy looks like.”

“Tall, gray buzzed hair, wears a suit. Looks like he wants to kick you in the throat for fun.”

“Nah, nobody like that.” He laughed a little and ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, boss. I thought about going in after her, but I don’t know. She doesn’t know what I look like, right?”

“I hope not,” I said. “Since you’re sitting right there.”

He rubbed his face. “Ah, shit. I didn’t think about it.”

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m parking nearby. You stay.”

“Roger that, boss.” He leaned back on his elbow and stretched out his legs with a sigh.

I found a spot a block up and pulled it. I could just see the front of Monk’s. I texted Brett, Message me as soon as she’s out.