Danger Close by James Sumner (classic novels for teens txt) 📕

Collins instinctively moved his hands together across his lap. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Let’s all try and be civilized, eh?”

She nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page. Now tell me, why is GlobaTech in Brooklyn?”

The question caught him off-guard, and he stumbled to find a response.

“Uh, w-what do ya mean? Who said I’m—”

She held her hand up. “Ray, please. Don’t insult my intelligence. I really, really want to shoot you, and I’m finding it difficult to stop myself long enough to ask you what I need to ask you. So, please… tell me.”

Collins looked at her. At the intensity in her eyes. He hadn’t noticed it before, but the dark orbs burned with violent intent. He believed she would kill him. He didn’t have a lot of time to process that, but he knew he had to do whatever he could to stall her, or at least minimize his suffering.

He sighed with resignation. “I came here looking for Mama.”

“Why?”

“I needed her help.”

“How do you know her?”

“I genuinely knew her from back in the day. Before I was one of the good guys. All that ‘looking for work’ bollocks last night was just for show. I knew she was dead because I found the body. She was slumped at her desk in a room above the bakery with a—”

“Hole in her head. Yes, yes, I know that part. I’m the one who put it there.”

“Are ya shittin’ me?” He felt genuinely saddened and uncontrollably enraged at the same time. “Why?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I knew she had information that would help someone like you. It was only a matter of time before someone came around asking questions. I guess I underestimated just how resourceful you bastards are. Still… this works out quite well. I’ve tied up the last loose end, and now I’ll be able to deliver my boss the head of a bonafide GlobaTech heavyweight. He’ll be pleased.”

“And who’s ya boss?”

“Someone you wouldn’t know. Although, your partner might. Where is Julie, by the way? I should probably pay her a visit before I leave town. I’m going to lie low for a while.”

Collins tried to hide how shocked he was at how much she knew about him. He laughed the comment off. “I would pay to see ya try ya luck with Jules. I don’t think ya strategy of sleeping with the target first would really work with her.”

Jay grinned menacingly. “You’d be surprised.”

“Jesus…” His mind was working a few seconds slower than it needed to. The struggle against the rising panic in his chest was forcing common sense and reason to lag behind. He frowned as they caught up. “What did Mama know that you didn’t want her talking about?”

Jay let out an impatient breath. “I imagine the same thing you came here to ask her about.”

“Oh, I doubt that, love. I’ve got bigger fish to fry than whatever low-level bullshit ya keep busy with.”

Her demeanor changed in a heartbeat. Her face contorted with burning rage. She leaned forward and brought the gun down hard on his left leg, just below the knee. He yelled in pain as it connected. She rested her knee on the bed between his legs and bent over, almost on all fours, aiming the gun at him once more.

“Low-level? You arrogant prick! This has always been GlobaTech’s problem. So goddamn full of yourselves. Like you’re so much bigger and better than the rest of us. Well, those days will soon be over.”

Seeing how easily she could be riled, Collins leapt on the opportunity to push her. He hoped she might divulge something useful or let her guard down long enough to give him a fighting chance.

He looked her in the eyes and scoffed. “Best believe we’re bigger than whichever thrift store street punk hired your sweet ass, chica.”

Jay’s knuckles whitened as they gripped the pistol.

“Screw you!” she yelled. “GlobaTech has no idea what’s coming for them. And as for you… you’re going to die in the presence of greatness. I bet I know exactly why you’re here. Mama knows everything, right? The best fixer in the States. You wanted to ask her if she knew who killed that foreign president a few days ago. Am I right?”

Collins said nothing. He just watched in awe as Jay unraveled before him.

“I can tell you she did,” continued Jay. “She knew I took the shot. She knew who sent me to do the job too. Nothing got past that old bitch. That’s why I killed her.”

His eyes grew wide. His mind raced to catch up and process everything.

“Are ya telling me it was you who killed President Herrera?” he managed.

She smiled that same evil smile as before. “Not so full of yourself now, are you?”

He didn’t say anything. He lashed out with his leg, kicking her arm out from underneath her, knocking her off-balance. Without hesitation, he brought both his knees to his chest, then thrust both feet forward, kicking her in the face and pushing the bed sheets onto her. Jay stumbled backward, dropping the gun as she collided with the desk behind her.

Collins leapt to his feet, ignoring his nakedness and instinctive vulnerability. He ran toward her and threw his left forearm around, catching her flush on the jaw. She fell sideways into a chair, dazed.

She wiped blood from her mouth and smiled. “That’s it, Ray. Give me everything you’ve got. Come on!”

She lunged for him, tackling him at the waist and forcing him to the floor. His head narrowly missed the edge of the bed. He rolled with the momentum and launched her up and over him, across the room. He scrambled to his feet and retrieved the gun that was right by him.

He spun around and took aim…

The hotel room door was open. She was gone.

“Shit!” he shouted through gritted teeth.

Just then, a maid walked by and looked in. She saw him, naked as the day he was born, holding a gun.

She