“I am not being a cheapskate” Gabriel growled as he looked over his bank account and wondered if he really would have enough money to survive if he lost the company. He would have to sell his house and cars of course. Maybe not his Viper but the others would have to go. Then there was trying to find another job. His brothers would not allow him to gain a position in any of the other companies that were in town. At least those positions that would give him enough power to challenge them and keep his life style. Maybe he should have seen more women and made alliances with others. Maybe he should have not stepped on the toes of some of the well off. But that was behind him and this was in front. “ I am now having to watch my accounts more then I would like because of my brothers and the Glades. If I am able to salvage this then there may be more in it for you. It all comes down to what position I am in once this is over.”

Pulling up his email he smiled at the code that had appeared. Entering it into the field that the zip file asked for he raised his eyebrows at the information. ((how much info did he get?)) “just think of it this way, I most likely will find out information on this young woman that you need to find so I will be helping you make money. Even if it is not money that I am putting into your account.” Flicking his finger acrossed his screen he flipped through the papers. “What makes people think that the glades have magic…” his question was cut off as a gunshot sounded near his car. “have to go talk to you later.” He spewed out before hanging up. He was on his own.

Starting his car again he took off down the street, his right hand flying over his phone screen trying to pull up maps of the area. His eye half on the road was the only thing that seemed to be keeping him from crashing into the cars that kept cutting him off as he drove through the slums. The place seemed to him to become more and more rundown. A chance turn took him out of the area and away from the cars that seemed to be trying to kill him. Yet his phone could not find a GPS signal for him and then it just turned off. No matter what he tried to do he could not start it back up.

Something burst out of an ally way and he swerved to avoid it, his viper slipped on a slick spot and careened out of control. Next thing he knew he was sitting up, his face covered in powder from the air bag. His side hurt him and he could not fully focus on what was in front of him. reaching up he hissed as his hands made contact with what must be a cut on his face. The windshield was spider webbed from whatever he had run into. Nearby he could hear angry voices and he did not want to have to deal with upset people if he had hit some ones pet or a human.

Grabbing his tablet he ripped the charge cable out and stuffed it into his bag. A gun shot rang out and he flinched hoping that it would not hit him. Another had him running in a blind panic. Through alley ways and down streets that seemed empty he ran. Always the sound of shots behind him. he could not tell how far away they were or if they were gaining. All he knew was if he was going to survive this he had to get out of sight.

Up ahead he saw what looked to be the edge of a park. A bit more overgrown then he would have thought possible with the laws of the city but there was enough coverage that he could safely hide there to avoid the men shooting at him. Running in he cursed as the leaves added to the many cuts on his skin. Any open skin he had that had not yet been marked was marked in moments. His side ached with pain from all the running, he once would have thought he was in perfect shape.

Clutching his bag to his chest he curled up in the roots of a tree trying to hide from the sounds of pursuit. Moments later the stress of the day and the lose of blood lulled him to sleep. The wounds were not life treating but they were enough that he would be in pain when he moved again.