by Urban, Tony
After seeing the look on Franklin’s face, Wyatt half expected the man to give orders to shoot. He slowed from a jog to a slow trot, not eager to run toward a bullet.
As Franklin leaned into one of the guards Wyatt held his breath.
Then, the gate opened.
Wyatt hadn’t made it three steps past the fence when Allie collided with him, knocking out his breath and robbing him of any chance to say the words he’d planned all through the return hike. The floral aroma of her body wash made him realize how bad he must stink but she didn’t seem to mind. Her arms were around him, her lips against his.
“Wyatt, I love you,” she said in between kissing his scruffy face.
It was one hell of a homecoming.
After his return Wyatt was shuttled to the medical bay where Jose, the new doctor, made a show of examining his myriad of injuries. Even though all of them were healing well, the man muttered about the poor quality of the stitchwork and said, at least a dozen times, “I don’t know how you’re still alive.”
Wyatt had little patience for being put on display for this man who, before Ramona’s death, had been one of the cooks and whose medical experience amounted to working as an orderly at a personal care home.
He reached for his shirt, ready to redress and move on, when one of the doors opened.
His mother stood on the doorway, frozen in place. Wyatt could see Seth behind her, and Allie behind him. It was about time.
“What are you waiting for,” he asked them.
Barbara moved into the room, two shaky steps. She was a shadow of the woman he’d left and the smile that had come across his face when he saw her faded. How much more damage has this caused, he wondered. And he cursed himself for putting her through this mess.
Seth pushed his chair past her. Wyatt thought he seemed... disappointed? No, that wasn’t right. He was just shocked, like everyone else.
What else changed over the last two months, Wyatt wondered. At least Allie was the same. But even that wasn’t the whole truth. She was more beautiful than even when she came to him.
“Quit poking at him, Jose. He’s fine.” She helped Wyatt into his shirt. He didn’t need assistance but didn’t protest. The soft skin on his fingers brushed against his arms, causing them to break out in goosebumps.
He heard Franklin snort, or was it a cough? Then he saw Allie tuck her head. It seemed something was different there too, but he wasn’t going to worry about that. She’d told him she loved him and that was all that mattered.
“You look good for a dead man, brother,” Seth said as he rolled nearer.
“Is that a compliment?” Wyatt asked.
“I haven’t decided.”
Wyatt hopped off the gurney and went to tousle Seth’s hair, but his little brother dodged out of the way, instead holding out his fist. Wyatt rapped their knuckles together, trying not to overthink the subdued greeting.
Barbara still clung to the edge of the room. She looked so unsteady on her feet that Wyatt thought she might be using the wall to remain upright. He decided that he was tired of waiting and went to her.
“I’m so sorry.” He felt her hands trembling as he took them in his own.
“I’m afraid I’m going to wake up,” Barbara said. “And find out this was an awful dream.”
“What would be awful about me coming back?” He asked.
“The awful part would be realizing you’re still gone.” She squeezed his hands, perhaps to verify this was real.
“It’s not a dream. I’m back. A little skinnier and with a few new scars. But I’m back.”
She fell against him, sobbing silently. He put an arm around her shoulders, and he realized he wasn’t the only one who’d lost weight. She was verging on skeletal and, from the smell of her breath, he suspected she’d been surviving on booze and cigarettes. He only hoped it wasn’t too late for her to heal.
He wished he could tell them everything right now. That Papa wasn’t who they thought he was. The real story of the beginning of the casino. But Wyatt couldn’t tell anyone that here, with prying eyes and eavesdropping ears. He’d have to wait until the time was right and only hoped that wasn’t too far off.
Chapter 45
Two new bodyguards flanked Papa. They looked every bit as wide and dense as the original braindead bruiser twins and Wyatt wondered if there was some sort of meathead cloning operation going on in the basement.
He made a mental note to check once things settled down.
“Tell me now, Wyatt. What happened to everyone? What happened to Alexander?” Papa asked.
Wyatt cleared his throat. He knew these questions were inevitable, but he didn’t want to relive that day.
“We marched straight into an ambush. Never had a chance.” Wyatt drifted into his memories, remembering the screams, the sight of his friend’s slow, brutal demise. The gurgling cries as they cut his head off. Wyatt felt his eyes burn. “They got Alexander first. After that it was chaos.”
“It’s alright. You’re safe now,” Papa said, placing his hand atop Wyatt’s.
“I know. I just… It was a massacre. They didn’t deserve that.”
“No, they didn’t. They were good people, each and every one of them. And they died heroes.”
Wyatt thought that trite. They hadn’t died like heroes. They died panicked and afraid. They died badly. If there was such a thing as a hero’s death, it wasn’t that.
“Clark got me to the river. They were chasing us. Shooting us. I went into the water and don’t remember anything between that and a few days ago.”
Wyatt swallowed hard. “Did he…” He knew the odds were slim but had to ask.
“He lived long enough to get back here to tell everyone that you were dead. That everyone was dead,” Seth said. “That’s why we didn’t bother with a rescue party.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Sending anyone into cannibal country is a death sentence.” Wyatt swallowed hard over what he needed to say next. “Going out there was a mistake, Papa. And this eye for an eye bullshit needs to end.”
Wyatt looked at the other men in the room to judge their reaction. Seth looked disinterested. The guards, blank. Papa, benevolent as always. Franklin was the only one who showed any visible dismay about Wyatt volunteering his opinion. A sneer marred his face and he made no attempt to hide it.
“If you ask me, the mission wasn’t the problem. The people were. Next time we won’t send men who run,” Franklin said.
Papa reached out with an unsteady hand and patted Franklin’s waist in a calming gesture. “Easy, son. Of the four of us only one was there and witnessed the bloodshed firsthand.”
“Funny how he was the only one to live,” Franklin said. “Makes me wonder what really happened.”
“Enough.” Papa’s voice was firm and left no room for further debate. Then he looked to Wyatt. “I can’t imagine the trauma, son. How did you survive?” Papa asked.
“The hermit found me.” He saw Papa’s eyes narrow. Or maybe that was his imagination. Either way he made note to be careful with his words. “He pulled out the arrows and spears, cleaned my wounds, and stitched me up. Then I guess he waited for me to die, but I didn’t.”
“The guy we get our veggies from saved you?” Seth asked.
“Yeah. Crazy bastard, but he must be handy with a needle.” He tapped his side where one of the largest wounds was still tender.
“Well I’ll be, Papa said. “Yahweh certainly held you in his healing embrace.”
Wyatt nodded. “Amen.”
“Did the hermit ask for anything in return? He rarely gives without receiving,” Papa said.
Wyatt knew it was a test, that Papa was trying to see what, if anything, Gerald had told him. “Not that he told me. But I don’t think we shared more than ten words after I came around. The guy’s…” He twirled his finger around his ear in the universal sign for crazy.
That made Papa laugh, as sick and unhealthy a sound as Wyatt ever heard. “Indeed! Indeed…”
The big man motioned to a bottle of brandy. “Would you have a drink with me, Wyatt? To celebrate?”
He didn’t wait for an answer and poured three shots. He passed one off to Seth then offered one to Wyatt.
Wyatt shook his head. “I better not. Still recovering.”
Papa’s glistened. “Very well. More for me.” He drank down both shots back to back. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard the good word, but we’re hosting a celebration which begins tomorrow and lasts through Sunday. Your return will make it even more meaningful.”
“A celebration?” Wyatt repeated.
“Yes, it’s time for the community to return to our roots. To show Yahweh that we are still on the path to righteousness and glory.”
Wyatt looked from Papa to Seth, who twirled his empty glass between his fingers. Seth caught him staring and put on a smile. “Who doesn’t love a party, right, brother?”
Chapter 46
As music blared and revelers surrounded him, Wyatt felt like every nerve in his body was a live wire. In his experience, ceremonies at the casino didn’t end well but he prayed this would be different.
The whole community was gathered, although its numbers were smaller than ever. He never bothered to get a head count, but he believed they were down by half, if not more. Such a dramatic and disheartening change.
As in the demonstration which ended with Vern’s agonizing death, the makeshift stage once again set in front of the hotel. Thankfully, there was no mysterious figure hidden underneath a tarp. Instead it was just Papa, Seth, Franklin, Wyatt and of course, two of Papa’s guards.
Wyatt surveyed the crowd and settled his eyes upon Allie and Barbara. His mother looked marginally more alert, but her face was still a blank mask. He’d hoped her mood would improve once the reality that he was alive set in, but so far that wasn’t the case. He was beginning to wonder if she’d ever be happy again.
Everyone else was near manic in their revelry. People danced and sang along with the music. They feasted on mediocre food. They laughed and cheered and celebrated.
The crowd hushed as Papa stood. He tapped the microphone, grinning as it gave a whine of feedback. “Guess it’s on,” he said.
All eyes were on the big man as he continued. “To kick off the tombola I have a very special announcement to make.” His tone was jovial and excited. Carnival barker rather than serious preacher. “Last night Yahweh thought it proper to bring back to us one of our own!”
The crowd erupted.
“Now,” Papa said, raising his arms to calm the masses. “You all know Wyatt was the one that saved my life back when we were attacked. And he risked his life to avenge our lost brethren.
“We believed all of our protectors were lost. That all of our heroes had fallen at the hands of the savages that have claimed the land outside our walls as their own. But we were wrong! And let me tell you, friends, I’ve never been so pleased to be wrong!”
Another round of cheers passed through the crowd.
Papa turned to Wyatt. “Wyatt Morrill has proven to be not only brave, but selfless, reliable, and pure of heart. He is a man we can all trust. And that is why, my children, I am now declaring Wyatt as the new Chief Protector of this community. Of our community!”
The crowd went wild, but Wyatt was completely blindsided. Papa had never asked, or even hinted, that he was to be named the head of security. And he wanted no part of it.
Now Papa had not only made the decision but made it in public, leaving him with no choice. The big man motioned for Wyatt to stand, to accept the adulation, so Wyatt did. He sidled up beside Papa, noticing that it felt like an inferno of heat radiated from his massive body.
“A little warning would have been nice,” Wyatt whispered.
Papa laughed. “Yahweh’s will is greater than that of man.”
“Fucking bullshit,” Franklin said. Wyatt swiveled his head and saw the man storming off the stage. And as much as he tried not to be petty, that gave him an obscene amount of glee. Maybe this gig wasn’t so bad after all.
Chapter 47
After Wyatt had been announced as the new Protector the party resumed, but all Allie could think about were the men in her life.
Fuck, what had she done?
Wyatt climbed down from the stage, looking out into the crowd. She knew that he was looking for her. But she didn’t want to be found yet.
Franklin was pushing through the crowd, giving little concern to who he collided with and offering no apologies. She knew this was her fault. She’d promised him a chance, only to yank it away at the last moment.
And now Wyatt was getting all this attention. It was no wonder Franklin was upset.
This was her mess to clean up. But she didn’t know where to start.
She chased after Franklin, stealing glanced back at Wyatt who pursued with a confused expression on his face. Allie was ecstatic he was back, but she felt so awful for what had happened while he was gone.
How was she supposed to know he was still alive after all that time?
She ducked deeper into the crowd. The last thing she wanted was to hurt anyone, but here she was, fucking it all up anyway. The celebration and music were all white noise to her. Just a baseline for her thoughts. She dodged partygoers, slipping through cracks in the crowd, moving as fast as possible when--
She collided with Wyatt. She looked up and found the face she’d dreamed about on so many nights since he’d disappeared. The face she loved.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to avoid me.”
“I was.” She let out a nervous laugh. “Wyatt, I need to tell you about some things that happened while you were gone. When I thought you were--”
He kissed her before she could finish. When he broke away, he was smiling.
“I don’t care what happened. It doesn’t matter because I love you, Allie.”
All her worries drifted away. She squeezed him tight. “Don’t go dying on me again, you hear me? I can’t do this without you.”
He embraced her, wrapping his arms around her back. This man that was nearly a decade younger than her but made her feel so safe. So loved.
“I don’t plan on it.”
“Good,” she said and realized she was crying, her tears soaking into Wyatt’s shirt.
When they separated, she looked past Wyatt and found Franklin watching them from the edge of the crowd. She knew this must be hard on him, but he had to see her side too, right? If he was half the man, she thought he was he’d realize that her love for Wyatt wasn’t going to disappear in two months.
She was also aware how hard it was for men to separate their feelings and logic. And that scared her.
As she wondered how this was going to work out, Franklin did the most shocking thing she could have imagined.
He smiled. It was tinged with sadness, but she saw in his eyes that he understood.
Allie smiled back, then Franklin gave an approving, understanding nod. And she felt like she experienced her second miracle in less than 24 hours.
Chapter 48
After a full day of partying Seth was wasted and, for once, glad to be in the chair. As Rosario pushed him down the hall, his mind raced with possibilities as to what they could do in bed, to give this night a proper send off. However, the way his head was spinning meant he was as apt to pass out as soon as his body hit the mattress than perform any sexual acrobatics.
As they passed by Papa’s room Seth heard voices. One in particular was loud and sounded drunk. Not that he was one to judge.
“How the fuck could you reward him?” The voice said. “He’s not even one of us!”
“It’ll be alright,” Papa said. “You worry too much.”
“He’s playing you for a fool, old man. How can you not see that?”
“We should go,” Rosario said over Seth’s shoulder.
He’d almost forgotten she was there. “No, I want to hear this,” Seth said.
“It’s spying. If we get caught..
.”
Seth waved away her concerns and leaned in closer to the door.
“Franklin,” Papa said. His voice was slow and steady. Serious. “You are walking a fine line right now. We’ve been together almost from the beginning. I consider you a very loyal ally and disciple. But I do not need to be told what I can and cannot allow. Do you understand me?”
Seth wasn’t even in the room, but he could feel the tension.
When Franklin spoke again his tone had changed. Genial rather than accusatory. “I apologize Papa. You know that I would never tell you what to do,” Franklin said.
Seth pictured him groveling on his knees, which caused him to let out a little laugh.
Papa continued. “I understand you’re upset Franklin. You have every right to be. And I know your words were driven by anger toward him and not me.”
“His fucking smug face.” Anger returned to Franklin’s voice. “I just want to kick his teeth in.”
“Come on, Seth,” Rosario said. He put her hand on the side of his neck. “Let’s go to bed.”
She was right. Bed was preferable to listening to the two men bicker. “Okay. Carry on, trusty steed.” He laughed again, highly amused with himself, as she pushed.
As their voices trailed away, he heard one last comment. “It’s time to send a message and remind everyone who’s really in charge here.”
But with sex and booze on his mind, Seth gave it no thought.
Chapter 49
Wyatt chucked a tattered tennis ball through the cool, dry air and watched as Supper bounded after it. He was amazed at how fast the three-legged dog could move. And even more amazed at how much he’d missed him.
He glanced to the side where Barbara sat on a bench and stared at nothing, a bottle of wine her only companion. In between repeated toss/fetch cycles, Wyatt moved closer and closer to her until he was near enough to be heard without speaking above a whisper.
