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.

move on, cross the street to merge with the hubbub of people, then double-back on myself to wait, watching the store entrance as he enters, strolling in as though

the people… Own the

a bit, looking through the plate glass windows, I see him inside, looming over

than the girl he’s intimidating. An arm to either side of her, smirking, he has her trapped, enclosed between his chest

James stand over Jenny with that same gesture; using his height, looking down on her, moving in on her space as he cages her with his body. But it’s different between

…and accept…

… the rules.

the real

If that were Jenny…

My gut tightens…

Then, inwardly, I chuckle.

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

girl ducks, then slides away from Wonder Boy, making for the counter, Stabbing at the till, she snatches cash from the drawer and, face contorted, thrusts it at him, yelling

to

someone who knows how to

smirk

…

It’s not the time…

tuck it away for future reference, adding it to

minute later, he re-emerges, again stuffing his

Always the pocket…

the attache

to his next stop: a tobacconist a

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

show of opening the packet, unravelling the 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 left,

into the pack, when I realise there’s a beggar,

breeze. The beggar inhales deeply, smoke

“My pleasure...” …

Shit!

Where is he?

sight, lost in

Have I lost him?