Chapter 14: Ambush
The streets of Northwood were quiet, save for a few gunshots and breaking glass heard from one block over. Niko sat at the patio table on his deck, he was drinking a glass of vodka after a day working. Niko really enjoyed his retirement from criminal activities, he worked the bar and enjoyed his luxury. Obviously Kate still weight on him, he didn't think of her as often as he used to. When he is drunk or really frustrated he feels guilt, other than that he tried to block it out. Kiki walked off the elevator onto the floor of the penthouse, she had left her meeting with Johnny. She saw Niko outside on the deck drinking, she walked into the bedroom and stripped out of her clothes. Kiki changed into a pair of leggings and a black tank top, she walked to the refrigerator and opened it. She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and walked outside to join Niko. "Hey baby." Kiki told Niko. "Hey, how was your day?" Niko asked her. "It was good, my client has a great chance of being acquitted of all charges." Kiki replied.
Kiki sat down and looked at the sunset with Niko, the night sky was beautiful in Liberty City. The couple held hands while sitting there, Kiki felt a guilt for what she did to Niko. She looked at him, he was so sensitive and yet so hard. In her eyes Niko was a puzzle, she didn't know how he'd take it so she swore to keep it from him. "Is there something wrong Kiki?" Niko asked her. "Nothing, just thinking about work. Keeps me distracted." Kiki replied. Niko nodded, he poured another glass of vodka and took a sip. Niko didn't used to drink as much as he does now, the stress of criminal life made him start, but Kate's death made him drink more. And while Niko wasn't an alcoholic, he knew he needed to cut back. Kiki drank wine, but since discovering she was pregnant she quit. She didn't mind Niko's drinking, he wasn't a violent drunk.
After awhile they decided to go to bed, Kiki and Niko loved cuddling until they fell asleep. Kiki woke up sometime in the night, she looked over at Niko who was snoring. She stood up and walked out onto the deck, she sat down and looked at the stars. She was overridden with guilt fueled anxiety, the thought of her cheating on the man she loved with a client weighed her down. Niko walked out there and snuck up behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders making her jump. She turned around to find Niko standing there, she breathed a sigh of relief and laid back in the chair. Niko started rubbing her shoulders, she loved his firm callused hands on her. "So, what do you want the baby to be?" Kiki asked Niko. "I'll love it either way, I am just happy we're having one." Niko replied. "Oh, you're so full of it. It's every man's dream to have a son, if you want a boy. Just tell me." Kiki told Niko with a joking tone and smile. "I'm serious. As long as it's healthy I'll be happy." Niko replied. Kiki loved that answer, she agreed with Niko.
The elevator door opened, Packie got off the elevator. He walked onto the deck where Niko and Kiki were. "Hey, Niko." Packie said as he approached him. "Packie, how are you?" Niko asked him. "Shit's fucked up man. Gerry is getting out of jail, but there is talk of a hit from the Albanians. I need a gun, if you're down." Packie told Niko. "Packie, I don't do that stuff anymore." Niko replied. "Okay, you Polack bastard. I'll throw a few bucks your way." Packie told Niko. "I don't want your money…but…" Niko said before he let out a long sigh. "I'll help Gerry." Niko told Packie. "Okay, let's go." Packie said before turning around and walking back in. Niko turned around and looked at Kiki. "Babe, I gotta go." He told her. "Okay, be careful. I don't want to lose you." Kiki replied. The two kissed before Niko walked inside and left with Packie.
Niko and Packie sat outside the prison in Packie's Comet, Niko was at the wheel. Packie sat in the passenger seat, he snorted a rail of chop and held his nose from bleeding. "Take it easy on that stuff man." Niko told Packie. "Sorry, man. It keeps me on edge. Gotta stay sharp." Packie replied. "Well, I stay sharp without it." Niko told Packie. Niko thought a minute before asking Packie. "Why is he being let out at night anyway? Don't they do this shit during the day?" Niko asked Packie. "I got a call from the prison, they told me they was releasing him at 3:30 am." Packie replied. Niko looked at Packie in a confused manner at first. "Give me your phone." Niko told Packie. Packie gave Niko the phone, Niko looked at the received calls. One was from an anonymous caller. "Was this the call?" Niko asked Packie. "Yeah, that's it." Packie replied. Niko's eyes widened in a realization, before he could speak there was the sound of a gunshot and the windshield shattered.
Niko and Packie got out of the car, they drew their pistols and ducked behind the trunk. Two cars full of Albanian gangsters rolled up in Washingtons and parked, the thugs got out of the car and started shooting at the Comet. "Niko, we're outgunned!" Packie shouted. "I can see that, moron!" Niko shouted back. "Patrick McReary! We've come for you!" One of the gangsters shouted. Niko raised up and shot three of the gangsters in the head, chest, and throat respectively. Packie took out a few himself. Another wave of gangsters pulled up, they were armed with machine guns. Niko and Packie held their own. Niko took out the second wave with his pistol, he ran and grabbed an M4 off of a fallen Albanian. "Niko, look out!" Packie shouted. Niko turned around, an Albanian had his revolver to Niko's face. "Say goodnight, Slav." He told Niko. Packie shot the Albanian, Niko rand back to the Comet and got inside. Packie got in the Comet, and he and Niko left the area.
Niko left Alderney and drove back to Algonquin, Packie looked at Niko. "They called me out directly." Packie told Niko. "I know, what did you do to piss them off?" Niko asked Packie. "I may have stolen a large payday from their drug supplier. Some drug cartel making moves in the city." Packie replied. "Oh, that makes sense." Niko said while driving. "Niko, I can handle the Albanians, but the cartel is unstoppable. Drive me to the airport, I can't stay here." Packie told Niko. "Where will you go?" Niko asked Packie. "Los Santos. Start fresh." Packie replied in a calm tone. "Okay, I'll take you there." Niko told Packie. They drove to Broker, Niko drove to the airport. He parked in front of the airport and Packie looked at him. "Niko, man. I'll call when I get there." Packie told Niko. "Okay, be careful." Niko replied. "Thank s for everything me brother. It means a lot." Packie told Niko before opening the door and getting out of the car. Packie turned around and looked at Niko. "Niko, don't beat yourself up over Kate. It was not your fault. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And she made a good decision by getting close to you, she made you more human. That's respectable." Packie told Niko. "Thanks Packie." Niko replied. Packie turned around and walked into the airport, Niko drove off and left.
