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 he owns

people… Own the

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

An arm to either side of her, smirking, he has her trapped, enclosed between his chest and arms, and the wall. Even from here, I

moving in on her space as he cages her with his body. But it’s different between them;

…and accept…

… the rules.

is the real

If that were Jenny…

My gut tightens…

Then, inwardly, I chuckle.

Jenny, Wonder Boy would have a 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

then slides away from Wonder Boy, making for the counter, Stabbing at the till, she snatches cash from

love to

intimidate someone who

that smirk

…

It’s not the time…

to my

minute later, he re-emerges, again stuffing his

Always the pocket…

the attache

next stop: a

charm, but both he and the girl serving fall silent as I point to the first brand I recognise… “Vinte, por favor. E

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, he strolls

the cigarette back into the pack, when I realise there’s a beggar, rheumy-eyed, standing beside me, holding his hand

him, then offer up the lighter, the yellow-tipped flame flickering in the breeze. The beggar inhales deeply, smoke drifting from his nostrils, then gives me a small bow

pleasure...” … then turn to

Shit!

Where is he?

Boy’s nowhere in sight, lost

Have I lost him?