Nix
Why did I talk Grace out of going back to the convent? I should drive back and drop her off. But I don’t because I can’t.
You can’t because it is not the right thing to do.
“Look, the plan is already in motion. To deviate now would open us to more danger, okay? I know this is too much for you, but we…you need to stay focused, okay? You with me?”
“I just want them safe. I want your family to be safe. I want you safe.”
I rub my forehead instead of screaming in annoyance. “That’s a noble thought, but you can’t have everything you want. There are just people who need saving, and there are others who do the saving; that’s all.”
Grace scoots closer to the door and away from me. “You have a way of making someone feel so terrible.”
I force out a laugh. “I’m not making you feel terrible, sweetheart. I’m just stating facts. And, sometimes, it’s gonna hurt. It’s gonna piss you off, but know that I will always tell you the truth. I’m not here to dish you a platter of bullshit.”
She unzips her purse, takes her rosary out from a brown pouch, and starts to pray. With her fingers moving along the beads and mouth in sync in prayer, I make use of the time to bury my annoyance.
Thirty minutes later, she puts her rosary back and looks straight ahead, completely ignoring me.
“Are you hungry?”
“No, but thanks for asking.”
“You must be. We’re getting food.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
The thirty-minute radio silence does nothing for my patience.
I abruptly park on the side of the road, ready to drop the mother of all bombs. “Will you drop the attitude?”
She twines her fingers, rests them on her lap, and then slowly turns to face me. “I don’t have one. I am simply agreeing with you.”
I narrow my eyes into slits. “You’re reeking of sarcasm, Grace.”
“And you’re bathed in condescension, Mr. Hayes.”
I am seconds from blowing my top when the red dot on the dashboard gets my attention. I look back, and the same SUV is about two limos away from my ass. Whoever this fucker is, he is making himself known.
It’s noted, motherfucker.
“Stay the fuck down!”
I put the car in drive and slam my foot on the gas. The tires squeal in anger, and dirt goes flying in the air as I peel out of the ditch. I grin when I spot my perfect shield. I quickly formulate a plan and immediately switch to complete survival mode. I swiftly make a lane change, passing two cars at top speed. Finally, I position myself in front of a semi-trailer truck that gives me the perfect cover.
I hurriedly position my thumb on the Home button of my phone and make my call.
It only takes one ring before Nate answers, “You’re at the airport already? Did you drive like a maniac?”
“Someone’s on my ass! Get Drake. You’re on speaker.”
“I’m right here. Once you make your exit, you’ll be about thirty minutes away from the airport. Unfortunately, that is the only road to the city, so keep your distance, all right? Nate is calling our contact in Tacoma to provide cover.”
“He’d better be ready.”
“He will be, Nix. How do you know someone is following you?”
“He got his paint on me, Drake.” He did because I was busy arguing with the innocent, beautiful woman next to me.
Grace stays silent, tightly holding her pendant as if it’s an amulet against the ones who want us dead.
“I don’t think they’ll make a move. They just want to spook us. That’s all they’re doing,” Drake says calmly.
“I’m two exits away. Who’s gonna give me cover, and how is it gonna play out?”
“Deeke’s covering you. He’s in a red truck. He’s gonna flash his bright lights twice when he gets behind you. You won’t miss it. He’ll provide interference to create distance between you and the perp,” Nate replies, “Hi, Grace! Don’t worry; we’ll get you up in the air in no time.”
“I’m almost there. I’m coming in hot.”
“When you hit Rodeo Drive, make a left. Deeke is parked on the side street. He’s going to pull fast behind you.” Drake’s calm voice sounds like he’s giving a driving test rather than a direction to save my ass.
“I just passed the second light. Drake”—I pause, glancing at Grace—“if I don’t catch our flight, you’ve gotta work on other options.”
“I’m two steps ahead of you. There are two open seats on American Airlines.”
“Good. All right, making a left on Rodeo. Deeke had better do me a solid, bro.”
And, just like he said, a red truck pulls quickly right behind me, and gives me the flashing signal. The SUV skids to a stop, which earns a smile from me.
“Deeke’s behind me. You might want to use your powers to give me all greens and the fucker all reds. I need to zoom my way to the airport to catch that flight.”
Drake chuckles. This is his expertise. Fucking with the signal grid of a city gives him a boner. “Working on it. It might take a few flicks of my fingers since you’re out of state, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Maybe I could even fuck up the entire block’s signals.”
“Do whatever it takes, bro.”
“Done. See you in a couple of hours, bud.” Drake’s voice is the last I hear before the line goes dead.