Page 103 of Power & Punishment

“Police are on their way,” Michael confirms in the earpiece he made me wear like we’re special agents or something.

I nod, knowing he can see me from the roof of the building he’s currently perched on with his scope watching and reporting back.

I bury my hands deeper in my coat, walking casually up the street as the convoy rolls by. There are two trucks and four escorts just like we expected.

Except when the vehicles come to a halt under the overpass a few blocks down, my skin crawls.

Something is off.

“Dante,” I say under my breath, inching my coat collar higher, “give me some good news.”

“Everything looks good on my end. As long as the police show up within the next five minutes, we’re golden.”

Sirens cut through the distance, quelling my anxiety. But that’s short-lived when I notice the men get out of their vehicles looking calm and relaxed.

I exhale softly when I spot the first cruiser turn the corner—and then proceed to choke on that breath when it keeps going.

The second and third cars follow.

“What the actual fuck,” I mutter.

“Everything okay?” Dante asks.

“They’re not stopping,” I observe, watching the convoy carry out their business without hurrying or looking over their shoulder.

“I did my job, DeLuca,” Dante cuts in. “You’re the one that⁠—”

“I swear to God if you finish that sentence, Russo,” I snarl, stomping toward my getaway car parked at the corner. “Someone must’ve intercepted our tip.”

“Let’s call it,” Michael says. “We lost our advantage tonight.”

Right as I’m about to respond, something catches my eye.

A sleek black Escalade across the street roars to life. I quickly duck into my own vehicle to observe without getting caught.

“Are you still there, Leo?” Michael asks, waiting for a response.

“Do you have a twenty on a black Escalade parked near me, Michael?”

It takes him a second to respond, but then he says, “Yeah. Has it been there the whole time?”

“I think so,” I say, watching as it disappears down the street. “I’m following it.”

“Leo—” Michael starts, but before he can finish, I rip the earpiece off and toss it in the passenger seat. And then I turn the ignition, and I’m off.

I keep two car lengths between us. It’s an easy task considering the car doesn’t speed up or slow down. It keeps a normal pace, completely oblivious.

Maybe I’m being paranoid, but something in my gut tells me to keep pressing on the gas.

Minutes fly by, but I keep following closely behind. I shift lanes casually and blend in with the sparse traffic where I can.

At some point, the car finally turns right, pulling off the freeway.

And that’s when things become tedious.

There’s a left turn, a right turn, and another right. The more turns we take, the narrower the streets become.

And then we pass a sign that says, “No Outlet.”