The Joy of Revenge

PTER 78 Extraction istos We were outside the viewing room waiting for Joy. Our girl had gone to do some surveillance on her own and from what we heard through her earpiece was enough to make the three of us very angry. Angry at ourselves, Liam, Pete and most especially at Joy for being careless. and ignoring her coms. Earlier, while we mingled with guests in the viewing room, we waited for chaos to erupt. However, it wasn’t the chaos we expected.. their The three of us excused ourselves from the throng of people who were present to pay last respects to Cynthia McDowell and made our way to the far thest corner of the room so we wouldn’t be disturbed. We huddled together while keeping a watchful eye. “Has any one of you seen Pete?” Sebastian asked. He just came from a date with Marla and was casually dressed in a dark blue shirt and khaki pants. “No, but his car is here. Maybe he’s already speaking with Liam,” Xavier said who looked more formal in his dark gray suit. “Did you see Liam’s car when you walked in?” “No, I didn’t.” Sebastian suddenly paused, looking above Xavier’s head. “Guys, check it out,” he whispered, nodding his head to the back of the viewing room. I raised my eyes and saw Pete McDowell in a black suit with his hair styled in product closing the back entrance of the viewing room. “Pete just came out from the back. Does he own this place?” “No. Linda Jacobs does,” Xavier mumbled. “She’s the woman in the black dress.” “Can you be more specific? They’re all wearing black,” I pointed out. “Five foot six, about 140 pounds. Light brown hair, blue eyes, and red nail polish. Has a mole on her left cheek, Xavier described her without even looking at her. My eyes narrowed, scanning Cynthia McDowell’s rich girlfriends. I found her giggling beside Norma Martin while sipping champagne without a care in the world. Hmm… It was time I took a look at her finances. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Pete came in from the back and left through the front. Without even acknowledging or greeting any of his guests, he hurriedly exited the room through the front door. “He’s really a gracious host. Most of the people have been here since eight and he didn’t even speak to any of them,” I said. 1/6 CHAPTER 78 Extraction “He’s like his father. He doesn’t care about anyone, but himself,” Xavier said, raising his glass. and smiling to the group of twittering women. This is getting old.” “Well, I heard Norma Martin is buying the McDowell pharmacy,” Sebastian said. We looked at him, impressed he got that bit of information. “Marla told me. Her boss is Norma’s ex- husband.” “Seems you have a new target, Bo,” I said, snickering. He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Means I have to break up a happy couple,” Xavier said before taking a sip of his drink. From the corner of my eye, a woman in a simple gray dress and black sweater exiting the viewing room caught my attention. She may have made herself look bland and common, but lov was here that hair comb, I can recognize from anywhere. I was about to tell the guys Joy when Big Man Lou’s voice interrupted me. “Primo, I have two satellite messengers pinging. Leo and Benny are sending an SOS, Man Lou said through the coms.

“Where are they?” I asked keeping calm. The SOS meant my cousins were in trouble. Big If anything were to happen to them, the bosses of the Blood Disciples would castrate the three of us. We were warned against encroaching on the Angels of Darkness’ territory when we asked our fathers for their blessing to help Joy exact her revenge. It was a lengthy discussion, but in the end, Joy was family and we never ever turned our backs on family. When I sent Leo and Benny to Liam to do some snooping, I hadn’t anticipated that Joy was. in the

middle of something this twisted. We all had thought the Cohens were the ones who ran things in this town. Although they did in a way, they were still puppets on a string. “Chimes Funeral Home. I hacked into their CCTV system. They entered the coffin shop with Theodore Cohen, then followed him inside to some sort of room or office. That’s all I have of them,” Big Man Lou said. “Pete McDowell just exited the viewing room,” I said through my coms. “Who is he meeting?” “Liam Cohen and Cris Murdock, Primo. He’s led them through the hallway opposite the coffin shop,” Lou said. “Unfortunately, that’s where my eyes stop. However, Leo and Benny’s distress signals are pinging in that area.” F uck! Pete has taken them hostage. 2/6 Wed, Mar 27 CHAPTER 78 Extraction “Thanks Lou,” Xavier suddenly said, taking over. Keep us posted if anything happens.” He switched coms, contacting Sam. “Sam, what’s your status?” Sebastian and I watched in anticipation as Xavier paused to listen to Sam. We couldn’t hear what Sam was saying. He and Xavier were sharing a private line. “Do you know what they’re planning to do with Theodore?” Xavier asked, pausing again to listen to Sam’s answer. “Where are you exactly?” Another pause. “Formaldehyde is flammable and the crematorium uses gas, Sam. Alert us when you have them.” “What did he say?” I asked, hopeful. Xavier gave me a comforting smile. “Sam is already out back, coffins are being loaded on a black truck with license plate 581- ELC, and Theodore Cohen is bound and taped, guarded by a man with a gun to his head. Unfortunately, there is no sign of Leo and Benny.” Xavier and Sebastian both took out their phones and began messaging their men. When Xavier was done, he patted me on my shoulder. Don’t worry. I got this.” I had to hand it to Xavier. He was so calm. Him and his men loved being in the middle of conflict. They actually complained that New Salem was

so boring. But now, they finally got their wish for some action. “I’ve instructed De Luca to follow the truck,” Sebastian said. “I’ve noticed Pete doesn’t seem too concern his mother is lying in a casket. I guess she had more control over the empire than he did.” “I’ll be checking out Pete’s finances,” I said. “I’ll make all his money disappear- “Hey, Bo! How are you? I hope you’re feeling better,” Norma Martin said from behind me. While we were busy making plans, Norma Martin and her predator friends had walked over to check up on Bo. I grimaced as they began running their hands on Xavier’s arms. Xavier appeared delighted at the attention and began charming the pants off of Norma. Cougarville. The predators had set their eyes on Xavier. Well, it was a means to an end. Sebastian and I stood there watching as they competed for Xavier’s attention until we heard a familiar voice shouting through our earpiece. It was Liam. Sebastian grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Xavier and the group of middle-aged women. 3/6 CHAPTER 78 Extraction “Dont tell me it’s” “Yes, it’s her. Shush! Im listening.” Just like Liam, we all underestimated Pete. He had taken Theodore Cohen, Leo and Benny hostage and were using them as leverage to get what he wanted from Liam. Liam, knowing he was backed into a corner, had no other option, but to yield and give in. Pete wanted Joy and although Liam reminded him of their previous deal, he said it was now null and void. after his mother’s death. “Men, take those two out the back. Don’t kill them. I may have a use for them, I heard Pete’s voice give out instructions. I felt relieved my cousins were alive, but it was time for Joy to get out of there.

“Where are you? I saw you leave. Sweetie, there are CCTV cameras fronting our viewing room. They could have seen you leave too,” I said through the coms. I heard her mutter a curse under her breath before I heard a door open and her heels clicking against the floor. “Wait for me outside. Pretend I have a stain on my dress,” she whispered. I was about to answer her when Xavier said something rather loudly. “Roger that,” he exclaimed. The women around him looked at him puzzled. “Roger what?” Norma Martin asked, amused. “Military lingo for “received and understood”. You were just inviting me to a dinner remember? So, yes, roger that, I’ll go.” Xavier looked at his watch. “As much as I want to stay, it’s late and I need to wake up early for Cynthia’s funeral. I’ll see all of you tomorrow. Good night.” “Do all three of you have to go?” Linda Jacobs asked, looking at Sebastian like he was a piece. of meat. “Unfortunately, yes, Sebastian answered. “But we’ll see you again in the morning.” He took out his business card and handed it to Linda. “If you need anything, give me a call.” Suddenly, I heard Joy’s voice through my earpiece. “Liam, oh my gosh! Thank G od it’s you!” Joy said, catching her breath. “This hallway is so dark and creepy, I was beginning to imagine things.” “Let’s go,” I said, preparing myself to use my gun. I’d shoot Liam if it meant saving Joy. I didn’t care if I’d have to go into hiding. I glanced at Xavier and I could see in his eyes that he 4/6 12.25 Wed, Mar 27 M CHAPTER 78 Extraction was thinking the same too. We exited the viewing room and waited for Joy. It felt like an eternity for her to show up. *X, standby for extraction,” one of Xavier’s men said through the coms. We needed to leave now. “You guys

know what to do,” Xavier mumbled, before turning around to greet Joy as she, Liam and Cris finally came out of the dark hallway. We were all smiles, but angry as hell at Joy for going off on her own. “Hey guys. I couldn’t get the stain off,” Joy whined. “I think I need to go home.” “I’ll drive you home, sweetie,’ I offered. “Let’s go home now.” “But I brought my car-” All of a sudden, a loud explosion rattled the entire funeral home. We all dropped to the floor, covering our heads. I glanced at Liam, noticing his arms were on Joy’s head, sheltering her from the explosion. “Get Virtue out of here, Chip!” Liam exclaimed, pushing Joy into my arms. “Cris come with me! I need to help my fa-” Another explosion erupted. The doors to Cynthia McDowell’s viewing room suddenly burst open. People came out screaming and running, escaping with their lives. We noticed smoke had begun to billow out from the room. Apparently a fire had erupted from the back of the funeral home. Liam and Cris ran towards the crowd of panicking people, trying to enter the viewing room. Sebastian and I placed our arms around Joy while Xavier placed his coat around her as the sprinkler system turned on. We calmly led her outside amidst the frightened people. “Extraction a success. I repeat, extraction a success. Taking Leo and Benny home.” At the mention of those words, we turned around to check on the damage and found Chimes Funeral Home engulfed in flames. 5/6 CHAP 78 Extraction omments she wasn’t found and it’s time to tell her men what she learned VIEW 1 > 26 POST 1