Free Matt Drake 07 - Blood Vengeance by David Leadbeater Page A

considered ignoring the call to teach him a lesson, but the gracious and respectful part of her won through.
    “ Hello?”
    She liste ned as Drake talked fast. Hot anger and apprehension stole over her as he spoke. “Oh, my God. Poor Jonathan. But I have to warn Chika and Dai. I have to go. Matt, thank you, but I have to go.”
    Mai jabbed at the phone, twice hitting the wrong button before calming her inner self and taking a deep breath. After that she depressed Chika’s speed-dial button and, with a huge effort, forced herself to wait patiently for an answer.
    “Please. Please , Chika, my sister.” She had already saved Chika from the Blood King once back in Miami.
    The tone chimed monotonously, every double ring adding a weight of worry to her heart. Mai made an instant decision and, tucking the phone between her neck and shoulder, grabbed her keys and exited the hotel room. Her rental was parked right outside. By the time she wrenched the door open and jumped inside the empty ringing of the phone was enough to destroy her composure.
    “Come on!” Mai slammed the steering wheel with both hands and started the vehicle. She tore out of the car park, narrowly missing an oncoming Pepsi wagon, almost drowned by the tones of its blaring air horns. Her hotel was in the heart of Tokyo, not far from Chika’s apartment.
    “Chika,” she said aloud. “Oh no.”
    Within minutes she had crossed two junctions and caused a fender-bende r. She cut off a boy racer in a black Evo and slung the little rental across two lanes onto the street that led to Chika’s.
    Only then was the call answered. “Yes?”
    Mai almost swooned with relief, but didn’t let it show in her voice. “Get out. Now. I’ve just had it confirmed that Kovalenko escaped. It’s almost certain he’s sent men after you.”
    “I did tell you about the men who have been watching me,” Chika said matter-of-factly. “I’m surprised your other people haven’t noticed.”
    “They probably have. Now get out.”
    Mai had just enough time to contact Dai Hibiki before she shot to a stop outside Chika’s. Dai answered with his customary curt effectiveness.
    “What ’s up?”
    “The Blood King is free. He targets family and friends, Dai. If I were you, I would get safe.”
    “Shit. Understood. And Chika?”
    “Here now.” Mai rolled the rental up over the curb and jumped out, leaving the door open. Chika ran to meet her, pouncing from the shadows of the arched entryway to her apartment block. Mai quickly scanned the area and wasn’t shocked to see three shadowy figures staring down at her through Chika’s apartment window.
    So close . . .
    Chika reached her. Mai nodded and, as she turned, saw a fourth man standing by her car, leaning over the top and lining her up in the sights of a big Desert Eagle. The man was European, well groomed, and wore a sports jacket over a casual open-necked shirt. His lips curled as he spoke.
    “The Blood King sends his regards. ”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
     
    C ould a person dodge more than one bullet? More significantly, could a person raised and trained as a Ninja dodge more than one bullet?
    Mai Kitano employed lightning reactions, moving before her would-be killer even had a pound of pressure on the trigger. She could afford that small luxury. She knew exactly where he was aiming. She flung Chika to the ground and used the momentum of her throw to roll into a handstand and spin away. The gun boomed and the bullet flew between her flying heels. She landed in cat stance and sprung even as he realigned his aim, using the trunk of a wide tree for her next point of cover, but knowing she could not stay there for fear of the man turning his aim toward Chika. She paused for a heartbeat, allowing her inner calm and breathing to take over and speed up her reactions.
    Mai knew she needed to be seen as the main threat. A second bullet slammed into the tree. Mai realized she was out of time. Chika was alone and totally exposed out