Page 77 of Ciaran
Mia, Mia, Mia.
I’m desperate to call her, to hear her voice. I almost had earlier tonight when I knew Tanner was otherwise engaged, but I wouldn’t put it past that bastard to have someone sitting with her, monitoring her comings and goings, and reporting back to him. Even a text is too risky. A few more hours. That’s all I have to survive—all she has to survive—before we’re back together.
I lie awake half the night, going over every detail of our plan. We can’t afford for anything to go wrong. If Tanner gets an inkling something is off, he’ll be out of there like a shot, and we’ll have wasted our one chance.
By the time Draven knocks for me in the morning, my eyes are stinging from lack of sleep, but I’m fully prepared, with all the finer points locked down.
Thirty minutes later, Luke stops the car a few blocks from the same warehouse where he and Michael had met Tanner last night. This time, it’s just the three of us. Michael has done his bit. There’s no need for him to be here for this part.
Draven and I make our way to the agreed location. Once we’re safely hidden in the shadows, I text Luke.
Ready.
I make sure my earphones are securely fitted. We’ll have to rely on audio only this time, although Luke is still recording pictures. We decided using a cell phone in the dark where it might be spotted is too risky.
Luke’s car draws up, and I hold my breath.
“Here we go,” Draven murmurs as Luke locks the car.
The doors to the warehouse creak. The two men share a greeting, then Luke says, “We all set?”
“We are. Do you have the rest of the cash?”
There’s a rustling, and a few seconds of silence.
“This should last him a month,” Tanner says. “Instructions are on the bottle. Call me a few days before he runs out so I can ensure a consistent supply. You don’t want to go cold turkey on this stuff.”
“Is there anything I should look out for?” Luke asks. “Health wise, I mean. Side effects and the like?”
“Nah,” Tanner responds. “Don’t believe all that bullshit in the papers. These are as safe as popping headache pills.”
Lying. Fucking. Bastard.
“Okay. Good doing business with you,” Luke says. “I’ll be in touch.”
“That’s our cue.” I sprint from the tree line with Draven at my shoulder. Luke made sure to leave the door to the warehouse ajar, allowing Draven and me to slip inside.
“Well, fuck me,” I holler.
Tanner’s eyes go wide, and his jaw drops as Draven and I walk toward him, dressed in full NYPD uniform. There’s a good chance he won’t know we don’t have jurisdiction here.
“Dealing in controlled substances.” I tut. “That carries a substantial prison sentence in Chicago.”
“The fuck?” Tanner says, his eyes darting between us and the exit.
“Try it, asshole,” I hiss. “Go on. Run. Make my fucking year.”
Tanner recovers his composure and flashes a toothy grin. “You got nothing on me. It’s your word against mine.”
I look over at Luke. “It’s almost sweet, right? The innocence, or is it the stupidity?”
“Definitely stupidity,” Luke agrees, arms folded, stance wide.
Only then does Tanner realize Luke is in on the operation, and he shuffles back a step or two.
“Shall I tell him, or will you?” Luke continues.
I shrug. “Be my guest.”