The Iron Waitress
Chapter 3 - The Ghost in the Ledger
Nicolo pressed his back against the cold metal of the cooler, his mind racing through every alliance, betrayal, and ledger entry in his twenty years at the top of the syndicate.
“This isn't a local hit,” Nicolo said, his voice hard despite the adrenaline roaring in his ears. “The gear... the training... those are federal contractors. Or a deep black-ops unit.”
“They’re international,” Sophia corrected, her eyes never leaving the street. “Interpol-sanctioned retrieval team. Working under a provisional red notice.”
Nicolo stared at her.
“How do you know what a red notice looks like?”
Sophia finally glanced at him, a faint, humorless smile touching the corner of her mouth.
“Because six months ago, I was the one writing them.”
Before Nicolo could process the absurdity of her statement, a heavy concussion grenade landed with a metallic clatter just inside the shattered doorway.
“Flashbang!” Sophia yelled.
She grabbed Nicolo by the jacket, hauling him backward into the cramped pantry behind the kitchen just as the room erupted in blinding white light and a deafening shockwave.
