Chapter 21

Nate left the pub and arrived back at his hotel room. He should be reasonably safe here he thought, at least for a short while giving him time to make a plan, not even the team knew where he was. The only one who knew he was here was Bonano. Then he closed his eyes as he closed the door behind him. Bonano.

"Mr Ford I told you we would meet again." Trevor said as Nate walked through the door. "I also told you that you were a dead man."

One of Trevor's guys that had been hiding behind the door swung his fist doubling Nate over as the blow struck. Then two of them grabbed him and stood him up in front of Trevor.

"I thought we had a deal anyway Ford?" He said stepping forward and landing another blow in Nate's kidneys. "But you double crossed me." He said then hit Nate again.

"Well I can't say I am sorry." Nate croaked out. "I mean you are a very bad man."

Trevor's eyes burned with anger and he hit Nate three or four more times while his men held him up, robbing Nate of his breath as the blows landed.

"When I am finished with you Ford, I am going to take out those four thieves you were so concerned about. I will be sure to send them your compliments."

Nate did not change his expression, he simply laughed at the man. "Do what you will with them, they were just a means to an end."

"No, no Ford, you had a connection with them, you were there for them."

"Yeah right because a guy working with the cops would team up with a bunch of thieves. They led me to you, that is all." He laughed at the man trying to get Trevor's mind of his team.

Trevor looked at the man and could not decide if he was lying or not. Either way, he could not let those thieves go without punishment. Besides that was for another time. Just then Nate's phone rang and Trevor looked from the phone to Nate. They had to get out of here. That could be the cop calling and the whole city was looking for him anyway. He told his guys to bring Nate along but make it look natural. Nate thought for a second about making a break for it but then thought better of it. If he got killed Trevor would go after the team. No, it was better Trevor concentrated on him and not them. So Nate went along willingly. He greeted the doorman and told him he was just going out with his friend Trevor and would be back shortly. Something that was not missed by Trevor himself and he got a dark look which told him he would pay for it later.

They went from the hotel to a small house in the middle of a very nasty neighborhood. Trevor was clearly on the run and having killed a few cops during his escape he was the most hunted person in the city. Nate said not a word as they drove and nor did Trevor. It was not a long drive and on arriving Nate was immediately taken down into the basement and given a few body blows just to remind him this was not a vacation. Trevor did not come down with him, so he assumed he was being saved for later.

Once the door had been locked Nate started to explore the room, looking for something, anything that he could use, but the place was completely empty. He was stuck for the moment and this might just become his final resting place the thought ruefully. He climbed the few stairs to the door and tried to get some indication of what was going on outside, but all was quiet. He knew Trevor by now had tried to draw on his funds to get him out of the country, but would have come up empty, Nate had seen to that. He also knew that Trevor was going to go after the team again, but he had faith that Eliot could keep them safe now that he was alerted to the danger. Also, he would not do that until he had taken care of him, and he had an idea that Trevor was not going to grant him a quick painless demise, he would want his money and Nate was not going to give that to him even if it meant his death. Once Trevor had money, he would have the means to go after the team in earnest and then get out of the country, that was not going to happen.

It seemed like hours before Trevor made another appearance. He came in with four of his guys and Nate could tell that this time was going to be a little more painful than his last chat with the man.

"So where were we Ford?" Trevor said motioning his people to take him in hand. Nate did not resist it was pointless at the moment. "Ah yes. You still owed me an apology and you need to tell me what you did with all my money."

"Well I did say I took some of your things as well." Nate smiled at the man adding fuel to the fire of his anger.

Trevor let out a growl and pulled his gun out aiming it at Nate. He was beyond angry now. This man had taken his freedom, his business, his reputation among the families, and his money. He really wanted to hurt him.

"If you kill me you will never get your money back."

"Oh I am not going to kill you Ford, not just yet." Trevor said regaining some of his composure then aimed the gun and fired.

Nate felt a searing heat as the bullet passed through his shoulder. He was prevented from falling by the two goons holding him up. Gritting his teeth to keep himself from crying out he stared at Trevor who was smiling at him sardonically enjoying the pain he had just inflicted upon Nate.

"You have now begun a long slow journey Ford; it will go quicker if you tell me where my money is." Trevor said stepping right up to Nate. "Where is my money?"

Nate did not reply he just stared at Trevor trying to block out the searing pain in his shoulder. He saw the anger in Trevor's eyes again and then there was a blow to his head and then nothing.