Chasing Trouble (Lorica Series #2)

Chapter Three

"Nine Double Em? What the f**k was that?" Esse asked as she lowered her eyebrows into a quizzical frown.

"It's a name of a gun, i***t," Beretta said as she pulled down her tiny shirt then turned around at the sink and washed her hands. 

"I know what that pistol is." Esse roamed her eyes around the dirty and small bathroom. There were spray paints everywhere—walls, doors, and mirrors. The unpleasant smell from the toilets made her waved her hand in front of her face. Beretta tied her hair into a bun, revealing more tattoos on her neck.

"So this mafia . . . are you guys killing people?" Esse asked. She has no idea of the system of the mafias in this city. She encountered street gangsters back in Missouri which were the kind ones who sell h****n. 

Esse's eyes saw a gun lying around her waist after Beretta put her hands on her hips. "We have to kill if it's necessary."

Esse was about to ask again when they heard gunshots fired from the outside. It followed with women's screams and grunts of men. 

Beretta glanced back at Esse with an alarming look on her face. "We have to go. I'll explain some of it later."

Beretta roamed her eyes around and saw an open small window above the last cubicle. Esse followed her glance and saw it too. Loud bumping noises were heard from the bathroom's door that flinched their bodies.

"Come on!" Beretta is called Esse. They went inside the cubicle then Beretta closed the toilet's lid. "You go first!"

Without asking anymore, she placed her feet over the lid, careful not to put heavy weight on it. Beretta withdrew her gun, pointing it towards the door while Esse used her elbow to break the glass of the small window, a blow of air passed through her face. There are shards of glass that cut her arms but she has to endure the little pain. She popped out her legs first, then her torso until she went out from the little window and fell down on the ground, making a rough landing. Her back was hit the most that made her groan in pain.

She glanced up the second floor where the small window was then she heard gunshots fired from the inside. She got worried that Beretta was in trouble and she didn't know what to do at this point. A few moments later, Beretta popped out from the small window and made a soft landing on the ground. Esse sighed in relief. 

"There are two more guys left. Follow me!" Beretta said then they ran towards the vehicle parked at the sidewalk. They got in, started the engine then took off. Esse saw a car approaching them. Good thing that Beretta was a good driver. They got to the main road and the black Cadillac Coupe was on their tail. Esse popped her head through the window and saw the guy pop his head out with a pistol on his hand. Esse's eyes widened as she quickly returned herself back in.

"Get down!" she warned then gunshots were fired at them. They didn't get a single scratch but Beretta's driving lost control. They passed many cars that some of them got their vehicles scratched. 

"Christ! Get out of the way!" Beretta shouted as she honked the car excessively. Some of the cars they passed through moved away but there were some that became a hindrance to Beretta's speedy driving. The Cadillac bumped into some of these cars like it was hard as a steel. Beretta darted her eyes at the rearview mirror and she could sense that the car was getting nearer.

She saw the upcoming traffic lights a few meters away. Her combat boots hit the pedals that speed up the car's engine. A long and huge truck was about to cross the intersection. The red in the traffic lights lit up and Esse held on to her seatbelt as she held her breath. Their car successfully passed through the intersection and the truck almost hit them. The Cadillac was forced to stop their engine as the long truck continued its way at that road. Esse popped her head out through the window then went back to her seat right away, and took a deep breath.

They turned right with the car still moving with fast speed. After a few minutes of driving, they stopped at a busy area where crowds of people were walking on the sidewalks, garbage was loitering around, a few homeless people were standing by the dark alleys and a few cars passing by. 

"Stay low and follow me," Beretta said as she wore a beanie on her head. She lowered her head down then Esse followed her steps. She couldn't help but glance at the faces of the people that she passed through. The looks of sadness and desperation were written on their faces. They are in the area where the poorest lives.

They entered at one of the dark and narrowed alleys then stopped by the door. Beretta knocked on it five times and the rectangular door hole was opened.

"We don't let people in!" They heard a deep and masculine voice from the inside.

"Nevermind," Beretta said with a cold tone. The door opened then they were greeted by a big and muscular man. Esse felt like a tiny person because of how big this guy was. He could effortlessly squish a person with a single blow with his large fist.

"Thanks Juno," Beretta said as she patted the guy's muscular arms. Esse peeked at the guy whose eyes were glaring at her. She walked closer to Beretta.

"Don't worry. He's a nice man," Beretta said as they entered a door leading to the dark hallway. They went down the stairs then stopped at the metallic door. Beretta lifted her shirt upwards, facing her tattoo on the scanning door lock, red lines appeared on that area then it followed by the beeping sound. Esse was startled with the technology and the security system of this door.

The door opened then made their way in. They were greeted by the two men in a black casual suits wearing black shades and holding guns. They both have tattoos on their necks, the same tattoo design that Beretta has.

Esse roamed her eyes around the huge space. The floor was covered with wine-colored carpet. There were modern black sofas placed on the side of the entrance hallway, seated by the people who were wearing casual outfits while talking and laughing casually. The walls were covered by classic patterned wallpapers. Dim lights were brightening the dark area. And there was a large oblong-shaped table in the middle, the people sitting on it were playing cards.

As Esse followed Beretta passing through the hallways, she noticed that the people around were not like the people that she worked with back in Missouri. Most of them were young, looking decent even. Some have their tattoos shown on their wrists, neck, shoulders, ankles and backs. And most of them have their guns on their waists, hands and backpacks. Their eyes darted at her, some were whispering. She knew that they got their eyes fixed on her because she just came in.

They went up to the wide stairs still covered with wine-colored carpet. As they went up, Esse couldn't help but notice the black and white pictures in frames hanging on the walls, they were in different shapes and sizes. Some looked really old, others took in the present time but they were still colored with black and white shades.

They stopped at the door located on the second floor. It was the only door that had a gold doorway. Beretta knocked on it then a man in a suit opened it. The guard stared at them then closed the door. After a few seconds, the door opened again and they were told to come inside. 

Esse roamed her eyes around the medium-sized room. There are guns, combat weapons, newspapers, books, certificates, and pictures with frames hanging on the walls. An old television was sitting at the side of the room. 

Her eyes darted at the young guy sitting on his swivel chair. She observed his sharp jaw, chin, and cheekbones. On either side of his straight nose were two oceanic blue eyes. His dark brows were thick, currently furrowed in a frown. And his head was covered by thick, warm dark chocolate hair.

He closed his laptop while his eyes were fixed on her. “Have a seat,” he said while he pointed to the chair in front of his desk with his hand. Esse tried to keep her cool by not getting withdrawn with this man’s beauty. She was not the kind of woman who gets attracted to men so easily, to the point that she began to think that she’s a lesbian. But this man has his own charms that made her flushed.

"I'll leave you guys now," Beretta said then she left the room after the guy nodded at her. 

The guy extended his hand at her, asking for a handshake. “Calibre Lorica," he introduced.