Nathaniel

I pulled the gun out from my jacket, stretching my arms, I kept the muzzle pointed at the ground as I paced across the thoroughfare toward the main entrance. 

"Vincenzo, enter through the back. The front is covered." I spoke into the device plugged into my ear. 

Ambushing behind the car, I pointed my gun at the man standing near the wall. I targeted his head and with a single shot, he fell down in cold blood. 

All of us had inserted suppressors in our weapons. You see we are such environment lovers. 

Shooting a few more men in a row, I dragged the bodies toward the bush.
I need to be cautious. 

I tip-toed toward the main entrance. The guard spotted me a bit soon and pointed his gun at me. I ducked his shot and hid behind the tree at my right. Quickly, reloading my gun I pointed back and pulled the trigger at him.

The bullet pierced his heart as he fell into his knees, his hands trying to contain the blood flow. His eyes widened, his mouth agape, as his grey shirt colored blood red.

With a final aim at his head, I headed inside the building---Austin's home sweet home.

I had sent my troop to the A-organization building leaving just Vincenzo and me here. We both were enough to get this covered. And for an emergency, I had few men outside waiting for our signal.

As I stepped inside the threshold, several men fully armed stood in front of me, blocking my entry. They raised their arms at me, ready to fire.

"Gentlemen, a minute please," I excused my attention from those men and looked for Vincenzo.

They all looked at me as if I were asking their last piece of pizza. I rolled my eyes and shot a few niggas down. Four left.

One of them ran toward with an animalistic growl, I kicked his shins, twisted his arm, locking it behind his back and used him as my human shield.

Before I could shoot the rest, they already hit the ground with a loud thud.

I spun around and found Vincenzo watching my back.

"You cover the front door, I am going up," I said to him, snapped the neck of the one in my arms as I strode up to the grand staircase.

Checking through several doors, I made my way toward the terrace. I stopped on my track as I saw a tall figure standing at the edge facing his back toward me. I looked around and there was no one. 

"Son of a bitch," I screeched causing him to turn and reveal his ugly face.

"What a punch line, Nate," he said, a wicked smile lacing his malicious face.

"Don't call me that. I am Nathaniel for you," I corrected him. His voice sounded like the clattering of utensils-- plain annoying. 

He laughed. And that's how he proved me how a laugh can be bad too.

"Well, are you looking for something or someone?" He said, arching his eyebrow, his hands deep into his white slack's pockets matched with a white jacket.

"You know why I am here," I said. I clutched my fist tightly to prevent myself from launching at him immediately.

The air was colder here, the beige walls surrounding the terrace weren't too high, there was a round table accompanied by two chairs at the left corner. A bottle of pinot noir stood at the table with a few champagne glasses.

I was now standing a few meters away from him, in the center of the terrace. 

"Where are my manners? Well, let me introduce myself. I am Austin Delfino," he said, the corner of his lips twitching into a boyish grin, while his blue irises glimmered.

What? Austin Delfino? No. He is not a Delfino. He must be lying. I will not fall into his trap.

I pulled a Glock-18 out from my jacket, clutched my fingers around the gun, I aimed at him. 

I focused my gaze on his filthy face. My hands itched to hit him.

"So eager to shoot? Don't you wanna know about your new boss?"  He chimed in.

A wave of cold air clashed against my burning skin. I shuddered at its contact but braced myself instantly.

"No, I am here to arrest you. I will give you five seconds to surrender or else I can play hard," I prompted.

"That reminds me, it's time for my next card. Bring her in," he ordered and I turned my head to see two guards bring in a girl through the same door I walked in. 

Her hands were tied with handcuffs, her mouth taped. 

My pulse sunk and my grip on the gun loosened. I blinked twice but I saw the same brown eyes staring at me---lifelessly. It was her---Ashley. 

Her face was pale and stoic. They dragged her toward him at gunpoint.
The thing that shocked me was that she didn't resist. Since when did she start complying? Her eyes bore into mine but that flame was missing---they looked defeated. 

What have they done to her? What did the hell happen?

"Still eager to shoot? I guess now we can handle the issue like gentlemen, can't we?" he said eyeing my gun while taking a few long strides toward the table in the left, picking up the bottle of champagne.

That bastard. I dropped the gun and threw the earpiece on the floor along with my other weapons. Dammit.

Where is Vincenzo? It's impossible for these men to be here under his presence. So, is he dead? No, this cannot happen. 

I need the device to summon our men. But, if I make any move, they'll shoot her. 

It looked like I was stuck.

I eyed her again. She was wearing a black blouse with faded blue jeans, her open hair flowed down her shoulders. Her eyes looked dull, her lips pursed into a thin line; she was seeing me but wasn't looking.

Few drops of sweat broke into my forehead regardless of the cold weather. My insides hurt as if someone twisted a knife into my flesh. I took in a column of air to steady my pulse. But, nothing worked.