All the Way Read Free Page B

shooter. He wanted to jump over the seat and take the angel in his arms, comforting her until she stopped screaming, but he had to get them to safety.
    He turned to the woman hiding on the floor of the backseat. “Be quiet,” he ordered the woman as he shut off the engine and cut the lights. “Stop screaming. We’re safe. They can’t see us down this deserted back road.”
    The woman pressed her hands over her mouth, and her screams turned to loud whimpers.
    Seconds passed before headlights crossed the path behind them.
    â€œWho are you, angel? And who the hell is after you?”

Chapter 3
    Sherman Grazicky was not the kind of man who appealed to women. He was short and ugly, and he’d quickly realized he’d never get a woman based on looks or physique, although it didn’t stop him from wanting the prettiest woman wherever he went. So he concentrated on developing a charming personality. He became a woman’s best friend and confidant, and when they least suspected it, they had fallen for him. He smiled over at his pretty, rich bitch of a wife, Cecily. His scheme had worked nicely on her.
    A servant bent down to whisper into his ear.
    â€œExcuse me a moment, gentlemen.” He stood from his place of prominence at the head of the dinner table and kissed Cecily sweetly on her aging cheek. “Business. Please continue to enjoy your dinner.”
    The dinner guests acknowledged Sherman with a chorus of grunts, quickly returning to their dinner. Cecily was excellent at entertaining. He was sure she’d keep the guests occupied in his absence. She was the one who insisted on hosting these boring get-togethers. He’d much rather be down at the club, running things and being in charge. He liked his life best when he was the boss.
    Sherman didn’t acknowledge Hiram’s bulky presence as he passed him waiting in the foyer. He proceeded to his office with Hiram following in silence. As he walked down the long hall, his demeanor changed. The impeccably dressed, refined dinner host morphed into a ruthless businessman who didn’t accept incompetence. Although physically short and stout, thanks to Cecily’s money he wielded fierce power in the underworld. He strolled to the edge of his desk before he turned to the waiting man. “Your face tells me the news isn’t good.”
    Hiram lifted his broad chest and widened his stance, ready to assume responsibility for the failure. “Payton got away.”
    His lips turned up into a sinister grin. “Payton got away,” he mocked. He pounded his fist on the edge of the desk. “Payton got away? How did she get away when you assured me you could handle this job? And an easy job too. The woman is nothing more than a cup of tea. And the police couldn’t protect my dogs.”
    Hiram removed his skullcap, twisting it between beefy hands. “We took the hotel, no problem. But when we checked the suite, she was nowhere in sight. It must have been a setup.”
    â€œDo you seriously believe the police have the resources for a decoy that elaborate? No. My source says she’s been at the Adam’s Mark for days. He was right when he fingered her as the prosecution’s witness; he’s right about this. She was there. The question is, where did she go?”
    He bolted across the room and grabbed the taller Hiram by the collar. “And who I’m going to get to kill you.”
    â€œMr. Grazicky”—sputum spewed from his mouth—“I can finish this job. Give me a chance to find her.”
    â€œWhy? My time is running out. Why should I waste one more minute on you? You were supposed to bring Payton to me. You stormed the hotel like an amateur. It’s all over the news. I tell you to be discreet, and you have a shoot-out at the Adam’s Mark?”
    â€œShe was taken into custody before I could get to her,” Hiram tried to explain. “I had to snatch her before