Takedown (21 page)

“I'll take your word for it.”

Andre could force the issue if he wanted to. He knew the truth about me, and that could still get me killed any day of the week. But instead, he slipped something into my hand. It felt like a wad of cash. “Enjoy your new life, Darren.”

Before I could reply or hand him back the cash, he went to his car and got inside. The car started up and made a U-turn.

I glanced down at the money in my hand. It was a couple of grand at least. I hoped it was just a thank-you. I hoped I'd never see
him again. But I had the feeling that if Andre needed something, I'd be hearing from him.

A gust of wind hit me. I looked back, watching until the car was out of sight. Maybe I was just being paranoid. But that's the thing about the game. If you weren't paranoid, you were dead already.

To the pros:

John Rudolph, my agent, for believing in Darren's story, and in me. My editor, Annette Pollert, for making this a better book. And the Ontario Arts Council for its generous support.

To my peeps:

My family, for their support, and for their patience when I have a deadline. My friends, the ones who call me Al. And my writer pals, especially Debbie Mason.

Allison van Diepen is also the author of
Street Pharm
,
Snitch
,
Raven,
and
The Vampire Stalker
. She teaches at an alternative high school in Ottawa, Canada. Visit her at
AllisonvanDiepen.com
.

Also by Allison van Diepen

STREET PHARM

SNITCH

RAVEN

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SIMON PULSE

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

First Simon Pulse edition September 2013

Copyright © 2013 by Allison van Diepen

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

SIMON PULSE and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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.

Designed by Angela Goddard

The text of this book was set in Adobe Caslon Pro.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Van Diepen, Allison.

Takedown / Allison van Diepen. — 1st Simon Pulse ed.

p. cm.

Summary: After years in “juvie,” Darren cooperates with the police to infiltrate a drug ring to settle a vendetta, but sweet, innocent Jessica is now in his life, so when a deadly turf war erupts, Darren must protect not only his own life, but Jessica's as well.

ISBN 978-1-4424-6311-0 (hc)

[1. Drug traffic—Fiction. 2. Vendetta—Fiction. 3. Criminal investigation—Fiction. 4. African Americans—Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.V28526Tak 2013

[Fic]—dc23

2012039237

ISBN 978-1-4424-6312-7 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-4424-6313-4 (eBook)