Chapter 14

BOOK TWO: HUNTING HIS JEWEL

It was chilly for September. Even for Chicago.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, bracing himself against the crisp wind that blew in off the lake. A couple of blocks away, someone was leaning on their car horn. The street he was on was quiet, though. Asleep. The only sounds were the rustle of dead leaves blowing across the sidewalk and the tread of his boots against the cement.

He was breathing too fast. If he wanted to pull this off, he couldn't look anxious. He clenched and unclenched his hands in his pockets, trying to redirect his nervous energy. The gun he had tucked in the back waistband of his jeans felt rough against his clammy skin. He didn't like carrying a gun. But it would be stupid to face Niko without one. It was stupid to face Niko at all, but at least this time he'd be prepared. This time...

Leonardo Moretti woke with a start, reaching instinctively for the gun he always kept in the back of his pants.

It wasn't there.

With a growl,