BLOOD TIES (Decklan Jennings Thriller Book 1) by Philip Duncan (book recommendations for young adults txt) 📕

“I’m telling you, I really think I can get him to stop sending guys after us. Think about it: The more guys he sends that we send back bleeding or in body bags, the more attention that is getting drawn. I don’t care how crazy he is, he’s not stupid and he knows that is bad for business,” Decklan replied. “If I can get him to realize that it’s a waste of his time and resources to try and hunt down two unknown widowers, we might actually have a chance of taking him out.”

“Well shit, when you put it like that, I guess it’s not the worst idea,” Langley replied. “But you have to at least let me come with you. Going in alone is too dangerous.”

“No way, Langley. You two have a past and having you there would only make things worse than they already are. Plus, there is no guarantee you wouldn’t snap once you got close enough to him, which would result in both of our untimely and certain deaths.”

“Fine, but there is no way in hell I’m just going to sit around here and wait for you to come back, or not come back. I’ll drive separately and post up from a safe distance, just in case you need back up,” Langley said.

“Okay, good idea,” Decklan replied.

“One question: How are you going to arrange a meeting with him when we can’t get within a hundred yards of him without his men?” Langley asked. “We can’t exactly go knock on his front door.”

“That’s easy. The strip club. Just like last time. Only now, I have a good reason to talk to him.” Decklan said. “Plus, it’s a public place so that should decrease the chance of something happening, hopefully.”

“And when do you plan on trying this insane Hail Mary?” Langley asked.

Decklan looked directly at Langley. “Tomorrow.”

With the new plan in place, both had a restless night. The anxiety was at an all-time high and they both knew that this plan could go south in a split second and there would be virtually nothing they could do about it. This was a complete leap of faith, but they were desperate and had no choice. They couldn’t keep dodging bullets, literally. Sooner or later, their luck would run out.

***

The plan was to arrive at the club around ten and try to see Vladimir as quickly as possible. The less time Decklan spent inside, out of Langley's sight, the better chance he had of getting out safely. Decklan was almost certain he could get a meeting with Vladimir, so that wasn’t what was keeping him on edge. It was the unknown. He was going into enemy territory to play a game of Russian roulette with an actual Russian. One wrong move and it was over.

“All right man, it’s time,” Decklan said.

Langley instantly felt his hands become damp and his heart rate increase. Even though he agreed to this, he was still unsure it was a good idea. But he knew that their time was running out and it would only be a matter of time before it was an all-out war. Something needed to be done, and it needed to be done now.

“Let’s roll,” Langley replied, trying to mask his uncertainty.

As planned, Decklan took his truck and Langley followed behind in his Charger. The drive was less than an hour, but the anticipation made it feel like five. There it was, the same neon sign, The Mouse’s Ear.

Shit, this had better work, Langley thought.

Decklan pulled into an open spot about twenty yards from the door, and Langley found a spot in the back so he was far enough away that one of Vladimir’s guys couldn’t spot him. He could see Decklan getting out of his truck and making for the entrance. His heart leapt from his chest. The only time he had felt this anxious was in war, and rightfully so. War was life or death with every step, and this seemed to carry the same weight.

Decklan was finally inside and he immediately looked in the direction of Vladimir’s private table, but it was empty.

He must be in the back with Candy, he thought.

Decklan had no choice but to sit and wait. Once again, he made for the bar to order a drink. He remembered what Langley had said last time about fitting in. Although he wasn’t quite sure it mattered at this point, seeing that he had a singular goal of talking to the most dangerous person in the club. Nonetheless, he didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks, so he got a whisky. Typically, he would just hold it to give the appearance of drinking, but in this situation, he could use the calming effect that alcohol provided. He drank his whisky neat and his nerves started to feel like the calm before a storm, which was fitting. Finally, he saw Vladimir appear from the back hallway, almost exactly like last time. Only this time, he looked over and spotted Decklan immediately. Decklan was caught off guard, but kept his eyes locked with Vladimir’s so he didn’t appear weak or scared. He could feel the tension, and was sure Vladimir was feeling the same. After all, he had just sent two guys to kill him and Langley less than forty-eight hours earlier. There was no way he wasn’t pissed as hell that it had failed.

Keeping stride toward his table, Vladimir waved Decklan over to join him.

That was easier than expected, Decklan thought.

Decklan was good at keeping cool under pressure, and he handled adversity and hostility better than most, but this was much different than anything he had been a part of before. Above all else, with Vladimir, it was always the unknown that made him most dangerous.

“Please, join me my friend,” Vladimir said to Decklan. “We have reason to celebrate tonight.”

Decklan was confused and hadn’t the first clue what Vladimir was referring too, but he figured it couldn’t