Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Antonio's concern for me is touching but it’s cost me long seconds. As I emerge, blinking against the sunlight, Wonder Boy has vanished.

Fuck!

Have I lost him?

I spin, scanning all around, seeking my quarry, ignoring the curious stares of passers-by…

… The line of parked cars…

Doorways…

… along the block…

… the other side of the street…

Zip. Nada…

Then, sprinting across the street, dodging the traffic, I make it to the corner: the clothes store I used as my lurking spot when I first came here.

How long did he hold me up?

Twenty seconds?

Thirty?

How far can the bastard have gone?

Then, I see him again, tall against the crowd.

He emerges from the next door along from Antonio’s, a small hair-salon-cum-barber-shop. Shoving something into his pocket, he turns my way…

The clothing store?

It appears Santa Claus is doing his rounds, collecting his gifts from all the little boys and girls on his list, regardless of whether they’re naughty or nice.

of people, then double-back on myself to wait, watching the store entrance as he enters,

the people… Own the

looking through the plate glass windows, I see him inside, looming over a shop-assistant,

of her, smirking, he has her trapped, enclosed between his chest and arms, and the wall. Even from here, I can see the

looking down on her, moving in on her space as he cages her with his

…and accept…

… the rules.

the real

If that were Jenny…

My gut tightens…

Then, inwardly, I chuckle.

knee in his groin and a knife/broken-bottle/metal-comb at his throat. The only time anyone ever took my daughter down, she was nine months pregnant. Even then, it took two strong men

making for the counter, Stabbing at the till, she snatches cash from the drawer and, face contorted, thrusts it at him, yelling something I can’t

to take him

try to intimidate someone

smirk from

…

It’s not the time…

for future reference, adding it to my list of To-Dos: Teach Asshole a lesson he

re-emerges, again stuffing his

Always the pocket…

the

next stop: a tobacconist a couple

follow him inside. He’s already at the counter, exerting his charm, but both he and the girl serving fall silent as I point to the first brand I recognise…

plastic wrap, taking one out then, as I’m about to light up, Wonder Boy reappears. He doesn’t even look my way as, taking a sharp

watch for a few seconds, letting him get a little distance as I slip the cigarette back into the pack, when I realise there’s a beggar, rheumy-eyed, standing beside me, holding his hand out, looking at the

flame flickering in the breeze. The beggar inhales deeply, smoke drifting from his nostrils, then gives me a

my forehead… “My pleasure...” …

Shit!

Where is he?

in sight, lost in the

Have I lost him?