Page 9

I’m no genius with crime stuff, but I can tell ‘dealt with’ means sleeping with the fishes.

“I know you love shortcuts. But if you think they have any place in this business, you’re catastrophically mistaken.” His voice grows louder, a rumbling volcano. “If I let a stupid, greedy fuck monkey like you cut corners, that’s how we blow up a billion-dollar business. That’s how you piss off people who won’t hesitate to take more than a few nimble fingers and make your next jackoff session real interesting. So, how about you try a little humility for once? Trust me, it’s easier than throwing around your chips in Vegas next time with half a hand and no job.”

He sighs through his anger like he’s done this a thousand times.

Shadow Man meticulously examines his switchblade, turning it over.

It’s clear he’s about to put it to use.

My breath stalls in my lungs.

“Frankly, I think I should make it an even four for our trouble and call it a day. It’s been a long night. What do you say, boys?”

The vampires next to him nod, grinning and muttering their agreement.

No! No, I can’t let this happen.

Doctor Grubert might be asshole supreme.

He might be wrapped up in illegal and immoral side gigs, but he’s also done a lot of good, too.

I’ve been there when he saved lives, giving people on dialysis for years a new lease on life.

If he loses his fingers, he’s done as a surgeon. For his patients, that’s a bigger tragedy than for him personally.

So I do the only thing I can.

“Don’t do it! You can’t!” My own voice surprises me as I scream past the goon who’s holding me. My words slip through his hand.

I’m more shocked than anyone when I try to kick and struggle against him.

My shoe hits his shin and I get a hand free.

I pump it in the air before my brain catches up.

Shadow Man is not amused.

He stares at me with frostbite until he finally blinks, and then there’s something else in his eyes.

Uncertainty.

I don’t have the time or energy to ponder what it means as he motions to the big goon to let me speak freely.

That big hand falls away and I utter the only thought in my head that might stop a complete massacre.

“Cameras!” I strain out, pointing up with my free hand. “You can’t do that. Not here, not with security watching.”

They really are everywhere.

But why isn’t security here already?

I mean, I was just reassuring myself that they were so good. The omnipresent surveillance and guards in black uniforms crisscrossing the bleak netherworld of the parking garage should’ve done something by now.

“What?” the bossman clips.

“C-cameras,” I sputter again, jerking my head in the direction of the nearest black orb hanging from the ceiling. “Security will be here any second.”

They stare at me vacantly.