THE GREEN JADE TACO SHOP

FIONA’S POV~

Once the headaches had cleared I gathered myself and got up, I waited like he said for the gunshots to end, and when I stepped out it was nightfall.

By the time I reached the lobby, I found out I'd been in my hotel room all along.

I informed the front desk of the chaos that had happened in the room.

But it didn't seem to faze her, she was used to seeing this type of violence at the hotel.

They sent up a cleaning service and by the time I got there, the bodies and the blood were gone.

I opened the closet and my things were there, I can't believe this horror happened right here in my room.

How were they able to find me so fast, how did they know where I'd be, not even Ariana knows.

Someone must be tracking me, and it's Liana Argento, when did it start?

So many questions wrapped around my head begging to be answered.

What does she want from me? Why does she want me dead, whatever it is Ariana has sent me to find, it's obvious she can't risk it getting out.

So I have to find it for my cousin’s sake, my dear friend who is ever in trouble.

I thought of him, the stranger.

Though the vision was blurred I could still imagine him, the aura of him, the way he burst in and saved me.

I hope I see him again.

I prepared for the day, I needed to find the taco shop, so all day I went from one taco shop to another looking for the particular one with the description Ariana gave to me.

No luck.

I returned to my hotel, and by night I'd moved to a different hotel room.

The next day, and the day after no luck either.

I'd all but given up when I came across a Chinese couple playing mahjong by the walkway.

The way they played was particularly interesting, as I paused to watch.

They welcomed me and I sat with them, surprisingly they spoke English and I wondered what these sweet Chinese were up to in Mexico.

“Have you ever played mahjong?” the man asked, i shook my head with a smile as his wife played her game.

“Wonderful game isn't it, we usually play with our daughters, but they run the shop now” his wife replied.

“Yes” I smiled, “you know we were lucky to get this space in this area, because our taco is unique, with a blend of Chinese recipes, you should try one” the old man offered.

I was flattered and the day was long, I was tired from searching for this phantom shop when all I'd seen were regular taco shops.

“Just try one, I tell you the location, it's not far from here” his wife coerced, I nodded in agreement and soon I was on my way to the green jade taco shop.

Food wouldn't hurt right now, I took the next left and walked a little further up, I entered the alleyway.

Unusual for a taco shop to be in the alleyway.

I walked towards it and entered.

“Welcome! Welcome to the green jade, the menu would be right up!” a young Chinese lady smiled earnestly.

I'm guessing this was the youngest, “Fang! We have a customer!” she called excitedly.

I was feeling too special, I looked around and there was no other customer, I'd just eat and go.

A while later a man walked in, his hat and a yellow bandana covered his face as he walked past me towards the end of the room.

He sat and looked down at the menu, “another customer Li!” the other sister chuckled excitedly.

I smiled, it really must be their lucky day.

Soon the tacos came and they smelled great, I dived in and the taste was just as divine.

“Your father sent me here” I mentioned with my mouth full, they smiled and sang praises of their parents before departing.

The man at the other end would glare at me occasionally before looking away.

When I had gotten enough of his stares I got up determined to confront him.

Just then the door flew open and three men came in, they wore black clothes and they held axes.

“It's time to pay up feng!” one of them called, I turned to look at the angry man who wouldn't stop yelling.

“We already paid, and my father has informed you we no longer wish to be protected by taco dragons” she replied.

What?

I turned again and that was when I noticed a banner on their armband matching the description Ariana gave me.

This must be the taco shop!

Shit! But then what the hell is going on and how can get to the tape? Where the hell is it?

“there ‘s no one else to protect you from the thieves and hooligans” he smirked.

Li walked to the back and took out her gun, she pointed the shotgun at them, “We are protected by Mr Queen now” she replied, “so get the fuck out”

The leader of the three men emerged from the back and laughed manically.

“Mr queen, so you work for him now? Your loyalty to the taco dragons has fleeted away, you no longer believe in us” he said.

“Not our fault, your prices are too high and we can't pay anymore,” Feng replied.

“Drop the gun!” he roared, “never!” li replied.

I heard him whistle and 6 other men ran into the shop, oh my god I think I've walked into a racketeering situation.

The man at the corner didn't seem to care, so I dropped a few notes and I got up to leave when the leader grabbed me by my neck and used me as a shield.

Fear ripped through me and I was shocked, “drop the gun!” he repeated.

Fend whistled and in a few seconds the taco shop was equally surrounded by men with armbands, a crown displayed on each man.

They must be Mr. Queen’s men.

“Let her go, she has no business in this!” Feng yelled back.

The leader tightened his jaw and I grunted in pain before standing on my toes as he elevated my neck with his arm.

“I'll crush her,” he snickered.

“Let her g..”

We saw daggers flying in the air, they flew towards me and I could see them targeted at my face.

I closed my eyes, waiting for imminent death.

“Arrrrrrrrggghhhhh!”

I opened my eyes and the man was lying dead on the ground, someone else attempted to grab me but I bent low and scooched away and then I heard slash sounds and gunshots.

Bodies dropped like flies.

What the hell did I just walk into?

who saved me? i turned to look at the corner where the man sat but he wasn't there anymore.