Chapter one: Rivals
"I can take them, Nate," Eliot said through gritted teeth.
Nate shook his head and stared straight ahead at his opponent and the armed men that followed their fearless leader.
"I hate to have it end this way, Nate, but it's the only way this cat and mouse game can finally come to an end." Sterling reached into the sleek, black suit coat. "Tell your team to back off or my team will shoot on my command."
Nate glanced at Eliot and nodded. Eliot stepped back and narrowed his eyes. He pointed at Sterling.
"I'm coming for you, Sterling," Eliot remarked.
Sterling smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Spencer."
Sterling turned his gaze to the others. Sophie stepped beside Nate and grabbed his hand. He turned to her and raised her hand to his lips.
"Everything will be fine," Nate whispered. "I promise."
"Nate, how can they be fine?" Sophie stared at him.
"You'll see." Nate smiled.
"Alright, that's enough you two," Sterling snapped. "Move it along."
"You'll never get away with this, Sterling." Sophie backed off.
"That's the thing, I have." Sterling smirked.
Once Nate's team was out of sight Sterling pulled out the sleek gun. He glanced at the men who backed him up and turned to them.
"Get out of here, I can handle this on my own," Sterling ordered.
"But, sir," one man objected.
Sterling raised the gun and fired a shot at him. The others stepped away from him and he raised his brow at them. They quickly left without another word spoken.
Four Days before
Nate opened the front door, tired and jet lag from the last job the team had. He kicked the duffle bag inside and walked further into the apartment. He stopped short and glanced around feeling that he wasn't alone.
"Perhaps a drink would help that jet lag," an unpleasant voice remarked.
"Sterling, I didn't know I gave you a key." Nate stared in the direction of the kitchen table by the window.
Nate flipped a switched and stared at the only person who could make his day go from bad to worse.
"I made my own," Sterling remarked sarcastically.
Sterling poured a second glass of Scotch and stood up. He walked over and handed it to Nate.
"I have a job for you," Sterling said. "Since we worked so well together on the last one I figured I'd offer you another one."
"I thought working with a band of thieves was beneath you, Jim," Nate said taking the glass and downed it like water.
Sterling smirked and leaned against the island in the kitchen and lifted the clicker and turned the screens on.
"I see you've made yourself at home as well," Nate said turning towards the screen. "What's the job?"
"That a boy, I knew you couldn't resist," Sterling said.
Nate leaned back and Sterling pulled up the files he had up loaded on the system. Nate watched as Sterling searched the data base and stepped around the island.
"Irish arms dealer and forger, Mick Callahan is back in Boston after a six year absence. Interpol was watching his movements about three months ago when he disappeared. It was just last week that we got a hit on one of his many aliases."Sterling looked over at Nate.
"Why is he in Boston?" Nate asked.
"Business and his dear old man was murdered." Sterling flipped through another file.
"So, arrest him."
Sterling shook his head. "You haven't heard the best part."
"Don't hold me suspense," Nate sarcastically remarked.
"He's got a meeting with some of his good pals to get revenge on the a rival family here. I need you and your team to find out what family."
Nate gave a weary sigh and rubbed his eyes. He had no idea how Sterling expect him to find what family Mick Callahan wanted dead.
"What is it in for me?" Nate said.
"I'll be willing to wipe your team's records clean." Sterling tossed Nate the clicker.
"You don't have the power, Sterling." Nate looked at his own rival.
Sterling smirked and reached for his phone.
"Says the law breaker," Sterling remarked. "Call me when you accept the job because I know you will."
Sterling walked out casually and headed downstairs. He stepped out into the brisk cold December air and pulled his coat tight. He glanced up at the building before walking across the street. He slipped into the passenger side of a black car and looked forward.
"I hope you were convincing," the thick Irish accent remarked.
"He'll take the job, you don't have to worry." Sterling glanced over to the middle age man. "Now hold your end of the deal and let them go."
"Sure once I get the call. I really like you. Jim Sterling, Interpol really put forth some money on you."