Page 97 of Hannah and the Hitman

A bunch of kids were having a lemonade stand across the street from where we parked, so while we waited, we forked over twenty bucks to the little entrepreneurs and had a drink.

“Needs a little vodka,” Dax said, leaning against the SUV and eyeing the contents of his plastic cup.

The stand turned out to be helpful because we looked like we were two men enjoying a summer treat instead of waiting for two hitmen and super-girl.

“Where the hell is Paul?” I asked, glancing at my watch for the tenth time. “He was supposed to be here. I don’t likethe idea of Hannah alone with her family let alone with a fucking mafia boss.”

Dax’s cell chimed. He pulled it from his suit jacket. “Your timing is impressive. That’s Paul. There was an accident on the highway. He’s stuck for now.”

My eyes bugged out.

He’d only been fifteen minutes behind us and there’d been an accident. Typical.

“Fuck,” I said, making sure I kept my voice low now that there was a clump of kids around the lemonade stand. Some had walked, some arrived on bikes. It was like a little gang. All were completely clueless about what was going on down the street.

“Hannah’s going to come out of the house with Sal without Paul to collect him.” I realized my voice went up and I leaned in and hissed, “She can’t go off with a mafia guy!”

Dax tossed back the remainder of his drink. “Chill. We’ll go down and see what’s going on. Be backup until Paul shows up.”

I’d been overruled about the plan where Hannah was to go in, chat up her family and walk out with Sal, letting them think he got his way. Since the manalwaysgot his way, it wouldn’t be out of place. Paul would be there at the curb to greet his father and take him out for ice cream or a bullet to his brain. We’d given Paul the excuse he needed to end his father’s reign, and life, and we’d get rid of the hits put out on me and Hannah. I could quit without having to look over my back or keep Hannah hidden in a secret bat cave.

“Chill? Remind me to annoy the shit out of you when your woman’s in fucking danger.”

I had a bad feeling about this plan. Had from the start. It was falling apart as I predicted. It was time for Plan B, although that was winging it.

64

HANNAH

I couldn’t remember being this nervous and scared. Not even when Joey Brains was trying to strangle me. Perhaps it was because I hadn’t had any advance notice from him. I knew Sal Reggiano was in my parents’ house. I knew he wanted me to be his little superpowered soldier.

Two weeks ago, I’d have laughed at anyone who told me the situation I was in. No way would I have ever imagined this. I couldn’t have even found this in a book.

I was weak. I was scared. I was alone.

Was.

Now I had strength. Yes, I was scared, but I wasn’t scared of my own shadow. Of living. Of being seen. And I wasn’t alone. I had Jack. Brittany, too. Maybe even my family in their own ridiculous way. Although I needed to have a little chat with Briana before I liked her again.

I could do this.

I took one last deep breath and pushed the front door open. “Hi!” I called.

“Banana, we’re in here,” Dad called from the living room, although all I had to do was turn my head to the right to see everyone.

We never sat in this room unless we had guests. Everything was always immaculate as it was never used. The fireplace in the center was cold and above the mantel was a huge, mounted elk head, the antlers sticking out almost four feet on either side.

“Where’s the potato salad?” Mom asked, rising from the couch.

I focused on Sal Reggiano, sitting in the very uncomfortable wooden rocker. He was in his sixties, with gray hair that was thinning at the top. He had a tan that matched sunny Las Vegas. His suit was navy with pin stripes, and he had a gold handkerchief tucked into the breast pocket.

It was his gray eyes that were riveting. I hadn’t seen such coldness. Such… malcontent. He was evil. It was a good thing Perry wasn’t here because Sal might burst into flames or turn to dust if he started speaking in tongues.

Dad sat in the armchair beside him. Both he and Sal had drinks in hand. From the dark color and the ice in the highball glasses, it was scotch on the rocks.

Briana was sitting cross legged tucked into the other corner of the couch, one of the decorative throw pillows in her lap. Dressed in another stretchy workout outfit, I assumed Mom had pulled her off the trampoline to help entertain.

“The best one to wow the judges is the Back Cody,” Briana said as she waved her hand. “An easy skill, but withthe one and quarter somersault from front landing over to feet landing… I of course perform it with a straight three quarter back S and S. And then–”