Chapter 8
Fear wasn't something that could be avoided, Andy thought. It was always there at the back of your mind, even when you think you are prepared. Andy's heart pounded in her chest as she walked past the line to get in to the club and right up to the bouncer, "Hey Max. How's it going?"
"Hey Annie." Max, the bouncer said, "Long time no see. Where you been?"
Andy shrugged and smiled at him as he let her pass, "Around."
Andy moved swiftly in to the club and over to the stairs as her trained eyes scanned the room. She located members of the 15 and a few of Damien's crew. She wouldn't have a lot of time before they recognized her and informed Damien where she was. She made her way up to the lounge where Landry and Bergen would be sitting. Fear for her friends clutched at her heart as she walked past Gail, Traci, Chris and Dov. She hated having them here. She wanted them all so far away from this place and the danger that was around them. But they all had a job to do and right now, hers was to make contact with Landry and Bergen.
She plastered a smile on her face as she entered the VIP area. "Well aren't you two a sight for sore eyes."
Kyle Landry and Greg Bergen turned from the women surrounding them and pushed them away to walk over to Andy. "Look at you Miss Thing." Kyle, the younger of the two smiled and gave her a hug.
"We've been trying to get a hold of you all week." Greg said suspiciously
Andy never let her smile falter, "I'm sorry doll. I just needed to get away for a little bit. Missing Sarah a lot lately."
Greg's face softened, "I understand. I know you two were close."
"Thanks for understanding sweetie." Andy placed a hand on his cheek, "If you boys can spare a few minutes to talk business, I'd really appreciate it."
"Of course." Kyle motioned for one of the bodyguards to let them into the back room.
"We've lost a visual." Gail's voice came through the speakers in the van as the door to the back room closed behind Andy.
"We're still OK." Jerry said, "We've got audio and her camera is still working. Keep an eye out for Damien and his crew."
All member of the 15th listened as Andy, Bergen and Landry made arrangements for when the shipments would be delivered in just a few days. All seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as the deal was finalized and Andy was saying her goodbyes.
Their relief was short lived however when one of the rookies on the dance floor's voice came through, "We've got trouble. Damien is here and he is definitely not alone."
Jerry's voice came over next, "Everyone stay where you are. Monitor their locations but do not draw attention to yourselves. McNally, take the back exit through the room you are in and get out of there."
Surprise was clearly visible on Gail and her other friends faces when Andy ignored Jerry and exited the VIP area the way she came in. She moved to the bar, "Shot of patron." Andy slapped some money on the bar and threw back the shot. "This is the way it has to be Jerry." She said quietly and she slowly lowered the shot glass, "No one come after me."
"What the hell is she doing?" Sam shouted from inside the van. Thankfully he was not on comm so no one could hear him curse. "Is she trying to get herself killed? I'm going after her!"
"No!" Shaw forcibly had to restrain him, "Not yet. We don't know what's going on. She's still ok."
Sam sat tense, staring transfixed at the screen. He breathed in an out deeply, forcing himself to remain in the van.
Andy walked back over to the stairs and began her descent. She saw Markie across the club and also quickly located Johnny and some of the other bodyguards. Deliberately, she slowed her pace to give them time to notice her. She heard the voices in her earpiece all urging her to move faster and asking when the hell she was doing, but she ignored them. This was part of the plan they hadn't discussed, because Best wouldn't have allowed her to do it.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and allowed her eyes to make contact with Damien's. His face hardened in fury when he saw her and he dragged Johnny, Markie and the other guards over to where she was. She winced slightly as one of them grabbed her arm. Damien came right up to face her, "You have a lot of nerve showing up here you bitch."
She tried to shake off the guards grip but it was no use, "Why wouldn't I show up here? I didn't do anything wrong."
"You're a damn snitch." Damien seethed in fury, "And, you'll pay."
He jerked his head back and the guards dragged Andy to the back door of the club with the rest of the crew following shortly behind.
Andy risked a whisper into her microphone as she passed one of the rookies and saw him make a move to come to her. She jerked her head no, "Do not follow me."
She stumbled slightly as they pushed her out the door. Andy barely had time to regain her footing before Damien backhanded her. She had the metallic taste of blood in her mouth and she barely had time to recover before she was knocked the other way. The next thing she knew she had been pushed up against the brick wall in the alley and Damien's hand was around the throat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."
Sam struggled against Shaw and Jerry; finally he was able to break free and leapt from the van.
"Someone get outside and stop Swarek before he gets to McNally." Jerry said quickly into the microphone.
Dov ran down the stairs in the club and out the door, he caught up with Sam just before he rounded the corner to get to the back alley. "Sam stop, give her a minute." They moved slowly together and peeked around the corner.
They watched as Andy struggled against Damien, Dov restraining Sam. They heard her whispered response, "The deal is done. Landry and Bergen are in. The shipment will be here Monday night."
Damien's eyes widened in surprise and he released her. Andy coughed trying to regain her breath. "Jeez. Overreact much?"
Damien still glared at her, "You finished the deal?"
"I said I would didn't I?" Andy said, "What do you think I've been doing the past few days?"
"Trying to cover up the fact that you're the snitch maybe?" Markie said loudly
Andy rolled her eyes, "Please, do you really think that I would show up here and risk being killed if I was the snitch?"
"Then where have you been?" Damien asked, his voice clearly implied that if he didn't like her answer then she would be killed.
"She was with me." Sam said finally having broken free of Dov's grasp and walking into the alley.
Andy's eyes widened briefly in terror Damien's guards pulled their guns out and aimed them at Sam.
"And, who the hell are you?" Damien asked
"Do you mind pointing those somewhere else?" Sam said, easily drifting back into his street personality, "We're old friends if you get what I'm saying." He laughed and moved to Andy's side swinging his arm around her making sure to stagger a bit to show that he had a few drinks. "This one has kept me locked in a hotel room for the past few days, not that I'm complaining. Right babe?"
Andy smiled tightly, "I didn't hear any complaints." She dug her nails into his side, "Baby would you mind going back inside so I can finish some work. Then we can go back to the hotel." She said suggestively. All her efforts at this moment we focused on getting him far away from here.
"It looks like your done here babe." Sam said, not willing to leave her and let Damien hurt her anymore.
Damien looked at him suspiciously, "Its fine Annie. Go with your boyfriend. We'll finalize details tomorrow at the warehouse. 4:00pm."
Andy nodded. "See you then." She snuggled in closer to Sam and led him away from Damien and his crew. They walked together past where Dov was still hiding and continued to where her car was parked. Without a word he took the keys out of her hand and opened the passenger door for her. He moved around to the driver's side and got him. Sam had just started the car and they were driving away when she finally exploded, "What the hell were you thinking?"
