Shadow Flight (Shadow Riders 5)

Ricco glanced at Mariko. She didn’t change expression, but she was very focused on the gang member. He wore a blue plaid shirt. She didn’t look away from him, not even when the one who seemed to be in charge leaned down and slit the construction worker’s throat just as he reached the door.

The Demons laughed, as if seeing the blood running under the door was great fun. The one in charge wiped the blade of his knife on the man’s shirt and turned back. “That’s thirsty work. We’ve got to eat fast and get the hell on the road.”

The one in the plaid shirt grinned evilly at the waitress. “You’ve got five minutes to take these orders, and then you meet me and some of the boys in the alley.” He raised his voice. “I’m going out for a smoke. I want a Philly sandwich. Hot.” He gave her breast another twist and then sauntered out, stepping over the dead man.

Three others gave their orders and hastily followed him out. The man in charge shook his head and laughed. “He’s always after pussy. Can’t help himself. You’d better hurry, honey. He can get mean if he has to wait too long.”

Ricco and Mariko took the shadow leading them to the narrow alley behind the café. It wasn’t large enough to fit most vehicles. The garbage cans were in the back, but other than that, the asphalt was strewn with condoms, needles and cigarette butts. A few empty beer cans lay on the ground as well, and weeds pushed up along the broken seams, but for the most part, it was simply a narrow strip between a long fence and the building.

The four gang members smoked, one a cigarette, the other three passing around a joint, all laughing. The shortest member walked a distance away, unzipped and relieved himself on the fence.

Ricco slipped up behind him. A shadow in the dim light thrown by the hulk of the café. He caught the Demon member’s head between his hands and twisted, delivering the signature kill. “Justice is served,” he whispered as he lowered the body to the ground and disappeared back into the one shadow thrown by the bizarre flashing neon light from the massive overhead café sign.

Laughter continued. One member turned his head toward their fallen companion. He sobered and walked a couple of steps toward him. “Alejo?” He hurried his steps. The others hadn’t turned around, still laughing as the side door opened and the waitress appeared framed there.

Ricco waited until the man concerned about Alejo knelt beside him. Once again, he slipped behind him and repeated the exact same thing, catching his head and delivering the signature kill as he murmured the satisfying reality, “Justice is served.”

“Come here, bitch,” the Demon member in the plaid shirt ordered, pointing to his feet. “Get on your hands and knees. We don’t have a lot of time. Don’t want my Philly to get cold.” He laughed and glanced around. He could barely make out his two friends lying on the ground.

“What the fuck, Blas? What are they doing?”

“Don’t know, Cleto, but Alejo’s got his dick out.” Blas giggled as he pointed. “I don’t know what Don’s doing, but he’s looking interested.” Don had fallen with his head very close to Alejo’s exposed groin. Alejo looked as if he had his fist around his penis and was offering it to Don.

“What are you two doing? I bring you a present and you’re sucking each other’s dicks.” Cleto grinned and turned back to the waitress. “Guess you only have the two of us, but we’ll make it worth your while. I get your ass and Blas can have your mouth or pussy. It’s his choice.”

Blas giggled again, the sound high pitched. “Give me a second, Cleto, be right there.” He rushed toward a bush, ripping down his jeans, eager to relieve himself, digging in his pocket for a condom at the same time. He heard Cleto slapping the waitress, heard her cry out and he winced. Cleto had slapped him a time or two, and he hadn’t liked it. He was always low man and he didn’t often get the opportunity to choose how he wanted a woman. Most of the time she was gangbanged and he got leftovers.

He never heard a sound as Mariko slipped up behind him. He didn’t feel it as her hands caught his head in both hands and she delivered the sudden signature move of all riders, wrenching the neck for a quick kill. He didn’t hear the softly whispered, “Justice is served.”

Mariko lowered Blas’s body to the ground. Cleto faced away from her. He had already forced the waitress to the ground, dragging her plain black skirt up to her waist and ripping her white panties off her.