Adrian stepped out of the warehouse, hands shaking. Not from fear. From adrenaline. He didn't have a car. Didn't know how to drive. Stupid. He should've thought of that.
He pulled out his phone. Scrolled to a contact. Tony. Tony was twenty years old. Drove a cab like he was in a race. Adrian had met him through the Voss house. Used him twice before. Fast. Reliable. Didn't ask questions.
Adrian called. Tony picked up on the second ring. "Yo."
"I need a pickup. Tonight. 10:30."
"Where?"
Adrian gave him the address. The 10:30. A road near the cliffs. "Wait there," Adrian said. "Engine running. Be ready to drive fast."
Tony laughed. "Fast is my only speed."
"Just be there."
"Ten thirty. Got it."
Adrian hung up.
Next stop. Leo. Leo was a guy Adrian met on the streets. Knew where to get things. Things that weren't legal.
Adrian found him in his usual spot. Alley behind a laundromat.
"I need a piece," Adrian said.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What kind?"
"Small. Pocketable."
Leo nodded. Disappeared into the back. Came out with a Glock 19. Black. Compact.
"Nine mil. Fifteen rounds."
Leo handed it over. "You know how to use it?"
Adrian took it. Felt the weight. "Point and pull."
Leo smirked. "More to it than that. But you'll learn."
Adrian tucked it into his hoodie. Front pocket. Pulled the fabric down to hide the shape.
"Anything else?" Leo asked.
"No."
"Then get out of here."
Adrian left.
He got to the location at 10:15. Fifteen minutes early. Old habit. He found a spot. Dark. Covered. Far enough to see the building without being seen.
Two guards outside. Both armed. Rifles slung over their shoulders. They talked. Smoked. Looked bored.
Adrian watched. Waited. No sign of his guy. He pulled out the burner. Called Victor.
Victor answered. "You there?"
"Yeah. I don't see anyone matching the description."
"You will. Once you see a van pull up, wait."
Adrian said nothing.
"Young guy. Twenty-something. Brown hair. Sleazy looking. That's your man. He'll be carrying something. Probably a bag."
"What's in the bag?"
"Not your problem. Pick him up. Get out."
Victor hung up.
Adrian tucked the phone away. Went back to watching.
10:35. His phone buzzed. Leo. "In position"
Adrian didn't reply. Just watched.
10:40. A van pulled up. Dark. No windows. Adrian's heart rate ticked up.
The van stopped. Engine still running. Then a window on the side burst open. A guy climbed out. Fast. Messy brown hair. Sleazy looking. Two bags strapped to his waist. One on each side.
He hit the ground running.
The front door of the building flew open. Another man stepped out. Shouting. "Stop him! Guards! Stop him!"
The two guards snapped to attention. Dropped their cigarettes. Unslung their rifles.
Adrian didn't think. He ran.
He cut through the shadows. Feet silent. Hood up. The guy with the bags had ducked behind a broken down wall. Brick. Crumbling. Hiding.
Adrian circled around. Came up behind him. The guy didn't hear him coming.
Adrian grabbed his shoulder. The guy spun. Fist raised. Ready to swing.
Adrian stepped back. Pulled the Glock from his hoodie. Pointed it at the guy's
chest.
"Don't."
The guy froze. Eyes wide. Hands up.
"Who are you?" Adrian asked. Voice low.
"Andrew," the guy breathed.
"Victor sent me."
Andrew nodded. "Yeah, man. Yeah. Now can we go?"
Gunfire ripped through the air. Bullets hit the wall. Brick dust exploded.
Adrian ducked. Pulled Andrew down with him.
The two guards were advancing. Rifles up. Shooting.
Adrian peeked over the wall. Two of them. Heavy guns. Coming fast.
"We need to move," Adrian said.
"No shit," Andrew hissed.
Andrew reached into his jacket. Pulled out a small metal cylinder. A pin. Smoke grenade.
"Cover your eyes," Andrew said.
Adrian didn't ask questions. Just turned his head.
Andrew pulled the pin. Tossed it toward the guards.
"Grenade!" one of them shouted.
They dove. Hit the ground. Kept shooting but blind now. Smoke filled the space. Thick. White.
Andrew grabbed Adrian's sleeve. "What's your plan?"
Adrian didn't answer. He pulled out his phone. Started texting.
Andrew's face twisted. "Bro. We don't have time."
Adrian kept typing.
"Bro!" Andrew shouted.
Adrian looked up. "Count to ten. When I tell you."
"What?"
"Just do it."
Andrew took a breath. Nodded.
Adrian raised the Glock. Peeked through the smoke. Saw shadows moving. The guards were regrouping.
He fired. First shot. The recoil kicked hard. His wrist twisted. The bullet went wide.
He'd never shot anyone before. Never fired a gun at a person.
His arm shook. He fired again. Closer this time. The guards took cover.
Adrian's hand was numb. The Glock felt heavier than before.
"Now!" Adrian shouted.
Andrew started counting. "One... two... three... four... five... six..."
Adrian grabbed Andrew's jacket. "Run!"
They ran.
Feet pounding. Hearts racing. The guards chased. Bullets flew past.
Adrian fired back over his shoulder. Missed. Kept running.
They reached a row of torn down buildings. Crumbled concrete. Twisted rebar.
Adrian pulled Andrew behind a pillar. Both breathing hard.
"What's the plan now?" Andrew gasped.
Adrian didn't answer. Just listened.
The guards were closing in.
He looked ahead. Saw it. A cliff.
"Bro," Andrew said. "That's a cliff."
Adrian ignored him. Raised the Glock. Fired twice. The guards ducked.
"keep counting," Adrian said.
"What?"
"Count!"
Andrew started. "One... two... three... four... five... six... seven..."
Adrian grabbed Andrew. Pulled him forward.
"Eight... nine..."
Andrew's voice cracked. "Bro! The cliff!"
"JUMP!"
They jumped.
Air. Nothing but air. For a second, Adrian felt weightless.
Then a car screamed around the corner. Tony. Cab flying. Tires smoking.
He drifted sideways. Perfect angle.
Adrian and Andrew landed inside. Back seat. Tumbled into each other.
Tony didn't stop. Just floored the gas.
Bullets hit the back of the cab. Pinged off the metal.
Tony swerved. Kept driving.
Andrew was laughing. Shaking. "Holy shit. Holy shit."
Adrian just sat there. Breathing hard. The Glock was still in his hand.
He put the safety on. Tucked it away.
Tony looked in the rearview. Grinning. "Fast enough for you?"
.
Adrian didn't answer. Just watched the road.
"Mehn, that was crazy" Andrew shouted
They reached the mansion twenty minutes later. Tony pulled up to the gate. Cut the engine.
Adrian stepped out. Legs steady now.
Andrew followed. Still catching his breath.
"Inside," Adrian said.
Andrew nodded. Walked toward the door.
Adrian looked back at Tony. "Wait here."
Tony gave a thumbs up.
Adrian turned. Walked into the mansion.
The night wasn't over...…..