by A. J. Downey
“How long?” I asked.
“Couple of days maybe three?” he ran a hand through his hair for the umpteenth time and I raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s get to it.” I said and we broke apart to do what needed doing. I shot a quick text to Ashton’s burner.
Gonna be a few days baby. Hang tight. Stay near Loyal and out of sight. I love you.
The response was immediate and I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her clutching the burner like a lifeline.
Okay. Be careful! I love you too.
I wanted to text back but instead I stuffed the phone into the pocket of my worn old BDU’s and set about parsing through equipment.
“Let me know when you have satellite imagery up so I can find a decent vantage point.” I called to Data.
“Uno momento pro favor.” Data said, fingers flying across keys. Dragon snorted and Dray looked like he’d sucked on a lemon.
“Don’t ever do that again, your accent blows.” Dray commented dryly. Reaver laughed.
“Here.” Data said and spun his laptop around for me to come look. I went over and scanned the topography of Ashton’s ‘hood. I pointed to a ridge.
“How far?” I asked. I could never freaking tell on a damned screen.
“Less than a thousand yards. Should be cake for you.” Data commented. I nodded.
“Reaver, you and me.” I said and he leapt down from the battered old desk he’d been perched on. The knife in his hand disappearing God knew where.
“Radios.” Dragon tossed a black bag at Reaver and he caught it. I put my scopes and rifle case into the back of the old Jeep Wrangler we kept around. The registration was clean and wouldn’t trace back to the club.
Reaver got into the passenger seat and unfolded a map. Data came over with some printed sheets and handed them to him. He wasn’t a bad navigator. I got into the driver’s side and we went.
The ridge was high and wooded and looked down on the housing development from around 900 yards away. Using one of my detached scopes I picked out Ashton’s house and smiled. We hiked around a bit to find a good vantage point and settled in to watch. Well I did. Reaver got the communications set up and settled in next to me.
“Don’t think this could be any better if we wanted it to be.” He said and I gave a grunt in reply. I looked down my scope and had a clear view of the back of the house and side yard. I scanned around and blinked in surprise. The place was deserted.
“It’s empty.” I said quietly.
“Whaaaaaat?” Reaver sounded like one of the little, yellow, pill shaped men on that kid’s movie that was being advertised all over TV. I cast a side long look at him he grinned and settled a scope to his eye and looked over the place for himself. He got on the radio and spoke to someone on the other end.
Dragon and Dray came out of wherever they’d been hiding at below us and sauntered up to the gate. Dray nonchalantly punched in the five digit code and it rolled aside and they walked up the drive like they belonged there. They were dressed like a couple of gardeners, reprising Dray’s earlier role and given the neighborhood they kind of did look like they belonged. Stereotypical, sad, but true.
We watched them scout the perimeter pointing at things and writing on one of those yellow legal pads standing in plain sight and Reaver and I shared a laugh. Ballsy motherfuckers but hey, they got it done. Leaving with neighborhood denizens jogging right on past them as the gate rolled shut behind them, none the wiser. They walked back towards where they came from and disappeared. Dragon’s voice crackled over the radio.
“Come on back.”
Reaver looked at me and I jerked my head at him to go ahead and go.
“Copy, en route.” He said and I set about putting on the headset for the radio. I left the mic open and settled back down to keep watching. Reaver retreated and a few minutes later I heard a branch snap and him curse. I smiled. We’d parked far enough off that I never heard the jeep fire up.
I kept watch through the night and into the next morning. I watched Chadwick come home, his modest security detail getting out of the car with him. He went into the house but they stayed outside which baffled me to a certain extent. I mean the guy was arrogant sure but this was arrogant to the point of being suicidal…
That gave me an idea.
“Hey guys.” I said quietly, a moment later the radio crackled to life in my ear.
“Go ahead.” Data. I rattled off my idea in so many words and listened to a long silence.
“Copy, we like it.”
So many times I watched that arrogant prick through my scope. Talking on the phone, standing on his deck, staring out the bedroom window glass of whatever he was drinkin’ in his hand and every time I had to resist the urge to line him up in my crosshairs and pull the trigger. I stood sentinel the rest of the night and into the late morning, by the time Reaver and Loyal showed up he could have been dead at least a hundred times over and that pissed in my Cheerios hard core.
“The fuck you doin’ here?” I grunted at Loyal when I realized he wasn’t where he was supposed to be, which was with my girl, being her guardian, keeping her safe...
“Relax, your girl’s fine. Sleeping still when I left. There’s a club member there with her keeping an eye on things.” He put a scope to his eye and surveyed down below.
Go on, Sir, get some chow and some sleep and I’ll see you later.” He settled in and I crawled back from our perch.
“Don’t call me ‘Sir’ and she better be fucking fine or it’s your ass.” I stood up from my crouch near the line of trees and followed Reaver back to where he’d parked.
“We’ve got a plan.” He said once the Jeep was started.
“Hear it once we’re back at base.” I said. He nodded smiling which was disturbing as all get out considering we were talking about ending a man’s life but that was Reaver for you.
I hunkered down in my seat and took a damned nap on the ride back. Sitting for that long behind a scope usually put me in a foul mood and knowing Ashton was being watched by some random club member put me in an even fouler one.
I sighed and studied the insides of my eyelids. I hoped she was as Derek had said, sleeping peacefully. I pictured her perfect face, smiling, happy, eyes filling with that light that rivaled our sun’s and I sighed.
I loved her and I needed her. Her resilience, her laughter… I flashed on the image of her sadness, her fear and her pain and felt myself slide a little in Reaver’s direction. A cold smile parting my lips. Chadwick Granger was going to pay if it was the last thing I ever did.
Chapter 28
Ashton…
“Don’t get up just in case, but I think we’re clear.” Loyal said from the front seat. I sighed. The ride was less than comfortable and I was growing weary. I didn’t know how long we’d been driving, but it wasn’t long… a half hour, forty-five minutes, maybe? He slowed to a stop and put it in reverse, his arm curving around the passenger seat like an awkward date at the movies. His face was a study in concentration as he backed the truck into what I guessed to be a garage. He didn’t look at me. It was as if I wasn’t even there. He was good at this. Gears ground, a mechanical sound and the interior of the truck grew darker and darker as the garage door closed, Derek smiled down at me.
“I think we’re good.” He said brightly and I tried to smile back.
“Good, can we get me out of here?” I asked breathy, “This hurts.” He frowned and jumped into action, his door opening and the driver’s seat sliding forward.
“Can you get out on your own or do you need help?” he asked.
“I think I’d better do it on my own, that way you won’t hurt me. If I hurt myself I can only bite my own head off.” He laughed but the tightness around his eyes showed his concern. He stood back and I pulled myself to a sitting position. That was unpleasant.
“Is she okay?” I heard Hayden’s voice from nearby.
“It’s alright I’m o- ouch god damn it!” I winced and slid to where I could
dangle my feet out the truck. I took as deep a breath as I could and leapt the short distance to the ground. Derek’s hands went out to steady me and I grabbed on. Tears collected in my lashes from the smarting discomfort.
“I’m okay, really.” I said to try and squash the growing look of concern n Hayden’s bright green eyes.
“Okay, I believe you.” She said in a tone that clearly stated she was humoring me. “Come on inside, take your time.” She stood to the side and I shuffled forward toward the door that looked as if it led into her kitchen. She tossed her dish towel over her shoulder and stayed near me and I appreciated it. I took the two steps carefully and made sure I was steady.
“Make yourself comfortable.” She said soothingly and pointed through to a small and comfortable looking sitting room. I went in and sank onto the chaise lounge which was upholstered in a luxurious tan fabric and tastefully matched the rich, brown leather couch and ottoman. I texted Ethan that I was safe and once that was done, settled in to have a look around me.
The carpet was a frothy cream and the large television sat on top of what appeared to be an antique buffet. The room was done in rich earthy tones. A large painting of an antebellum southern mansion hanging over the fire place. Ladies in their pastel colored hoop skirts taking tea on the front porch, gentlemen in their finery engaged in a game of croquet on the lawn. It wasn’t something I would have picked for Hayden to like and it surprised me.
“Oh honey you look awful!” she knelt down next to me and saw me studying the painting. “Home sweet home, that’s where I grew up.” She smiled and her face lit up with fond memories. I smiled back and sighed.
“Okay time for you to put your feet up and to relax!” she declared and before I could protest she had my shoes off, my feet up on the lounge and was tucking a bed pillow behind my back all the while chattering away, asking questions a mile a minute, one flying out of her mouth after the other.
“Are you hungry?” I opened my mouth to answer but before I could she was asking a different question and another and another. Derek laughed, his liquid brown eyes softer, lighter for it and he grasped Hayden by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake.
“Slow your roll Sister.” He said and his smile and laughing eyes took all the bite out of it. Hayden erupted in a pink blush that dusted her cheeks and made her seem just a little bit ethereal. I smiled and answered her barrage of questions.
“Hungry? A little. Comfortable? Yes, thank you. Thirsty? Beyond belief. In much pain? Yes, I should probably take one of the pills Doc gave me and as for anything else? No, I think you’re amazing for taking me in like this. You hardly know me.” Hayden smiled at me and turned luminous. Derek’s hands dropped from her shoulders, his eyebrows shooting up under his ever present backwards baseball cap and he looked at me.
“How the hell did you keep track of all that?” he asked me and I gave him a sad one in return.
“Perfectionist husband. God forbid I get his instruction on anything incorrect. You see the result.” He scowled and swore under his breath. Hayden sobered.
“Right, um,” she looked to Loyal and then shot me a little sideways look that begged for help.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Loyal this is Hayden, Hayden, this is Derek but the club calls him Loyal.” Hayden stuck out her hand and Derek shook it.
“Pleased to meet you Loyal,” she smiled, “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back with some refreshments in a minute.” She breezed out of the living room and disappeared into the kitchen and Derek looked at me and laughed a little. I smiled and he sat down on the end of the couch, shifted and pulled a handgun out of the back of his waistband and set it on the large leather ottoman that doubled as a coffee table so he could sit back. He looked at the gun on the leather, picked it up again and sat with it on his knee, at the ready.
I sighed.
That more than anything brought home just how much danger I was in, almost more so than my physical state.
“What ‘cha thinking about Sunshine?” Derek asked me.
“About how watching you with that gun makes the danger I’m in so real.” I whispered.
“Have you gotten a look in the mirror?” he asked incredulously.
“I was thinking that too.” I said grinning ruefully.
“Thinking what?” Hayden asked setting a tray of iced tea down on the ottoman. She handed me a glass and froze when she went to hand Loyal his.
“Sorry. It was digging into my back.” He mumbled.
“No it’s fine.” She said and handed him the glass.
“We can go if it makes you uncomfortable.” I murmured.
“No, I guess I just hadn’t really realized how bad this was for you until I saw it.” she said and sank gracefully to the floor to sit.
“That’s what I was thinking.” We all fell silent as things came full circle.
“So, what would you like to do?” Hayden asked brightly.
“Honestly, a nap would be great.” I said. She stood up and frowned but nodded.
“Sure. Guest room is upstairs, can you make it?” she asked. I nodded wearily and drank some tea to assuage my thirst.
“I’ll get your suitcase. Pills are in there. Let’s get one in you before you start moving.” Loyal stood up and tucked his gun back into the back of his waist band. He went out to the garage and returned a moment later with the small suitcase I’d never seen before. It was purple and about the size of a carry on. He set it on the floor and crouched over it and fished a bottle of pills with no label out of the front pocket. A note had been rubber banded around it and he handed it to me.
“Take one pill every four to six hours as needed for pain.” I read aloud and smiled at Doc’s spidery handwriting.
“I’m amazed you could read that.” Hayden mused.
I took one pill and washed it down with a draught of tea.
“What else is in there?” I asked. Loyal looked up and shrugged a shoulder indelicately and unzipped the case’s lid and flipped it back.
I could tell immediately that Ethan had packed it even without the benefit of the letter on top. The items resting just inside the case told me so. Both Les MIs and Phantom DVD’s were perched lovingly on top of one of Ethan’s tee shirts. Tears sprang to my eyes at the thoughtfulness of it. Loyal handed me the note. I opened the envelope.
Hey Sunshine,
I know this is hard and I miss you already. I put some things on top that might help take your mind off of things. Tell Hayden hi for me. Tell Loyal to keep his hands to himself. I’ll see you soon. I love you.
Ethan
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Gonna be a few days baby. Hang tight. Stay near Loyal and out of sight. I love you.
I texted back quickly.
Okay. Be careful! I love you too.
“What’s that look for?” Hayden asked dubiously.
“Ethan texted, said it was going to be a few days.” I sighed and looked up at Hayden bleakly. She smiled.
“No worries!” She said brightly.
“Reaver told me to keep it business as usual for myself. I have some clients I need to go out and meet with but it’ll be nice to have someone to come home to. Andy is going to be gone for the better part of two weeks.” She shrugged and looked a little troubled but it passed quickly.
“I say we watch these tonight with a giant bucket of popcorn.” She picked up my movies and flashed them at me and I couldn’t help but smile. Derek groaned. She rounded on him with a stern look,
“Suck it up macho man. By the time this is over you’re going to be drowning in a sea of estrogen. I don’t get girl time often and I plan on making the most of this bad situation and you’re just going to have to live with it.” she shook her finger at him and I laughed which I bit back into a moan of pain. Stupid ribs. Hayden wrinkled her nose.
“Sorry.” She said.
“It’s okay.” I said and her bright enthusiasm was contagious, I was smiling and thinking that perhaps this lock down wouldn’t be so
bad.
“Thank you.” I told her and she smiled indulgently.
“You bet.” She took my hand in hers and said, “I don’t have many girlfriends, so this is nice and it’s going to be great. You’ll see.” She put my movies on top of the DVD player and came back to sit on the living room floor near me.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“So far so good. I’ll probably get a little woozy from the pill in a few minutes.” I confessed. Medicine always had a big effect on me which was a double edged sword.
“Okay, I’ll go turn down your bed.” She zipped the suitcase closed and took it up to my room with her.
“Keep an eye on her.” She shot over her shoulder at Loyal. He grinned.
“Yes Ma’am.” He said and gave her a half assed little salute. She stuck her tongue out at him and it was cute. I tried not to laugh and half managed to keep it to a chuckle.
“Some sleep and your chick flicks looks to be about right for you.” Derek said to me and sighed. He came over and took my drink, setting it aside on the tray it had arrived on. He held out his hands and helped me to my feet. We trudged in the direction Hayden had gone and up the stairs.
“Take your time.” He intoned when I started what seemed like a very long climb. He called out to Hayden when we reached the top of the stairs and she called back from an open doorway just down the hall. I stepped into a lavender room with a big bed and smiled.
“Out.” She clipped at Derek and he smiled putting up his hands.
“Bossy little thing.” He muttered and she smiled her impish smile. He left and she shut the door behind him.
“Need help?” she asked and I nodded. She unzipped my dress for me and hissed.
“I thought you looked rough the day I met you… What happened exactly?” she asked and so I told her. She helped me into Ethan’s tee shirt and as it slipped over my head I realized it was one he had worn and it smelled like him. I was grateful for that.
“I’m so sorry Ashton.” She said and I could tell she wanted to hug me but she refrained.
