Escape (Blackstone Series Book 2)

by J. L. Drake

  “I said fuck you, Antonio.” My voice was low and oddly steady. Reaching down for the broken chair leg, I swung it at his head, smashing his temple with good force.

  His hand covered the side of his head for a second and his eyes bugged out in pure anger.

  “Yeah, that’s right, asshole! I know Will killed my parents!”

  He must have been on coke or something, because he stood without registering any pain and cracked his neck like I hadn’t just smacked his skull with a heavy piece of wood. He was bleeding, but he didn’t seem to care.

  My heart pumped rapidly, and things were becoming blurry. My emotions wanted to take over, and I fought to keep them back. My brother was dead. My brother was dead. Holy shit, I couldn’t stop the loop that went round and round my head.

  “Were we just a game to you? Did you know me before you killed them?” I wasn’t even sure I wanted to know at this point.

  “Fine, you want to do this?” he yelled, causing my breathing to catch. “Fine! Your mom was so scared.” He smirked at my flinch. He was there? Of course he was. Hunters traveled in packs. “Your foolish dad thought he could save her. He begged for Will to spare her miserable life, but that’s not the rules, is it, Lexi?” His head tilted to the side as he spoke. “Your dad went first. One shot to the head took him down. Your mother’s scream was just the icing on the cake before—”

  “Ahhh!” I lunged with all my strength, but he was waiting for it and grabbed me and slammed me to the floor. Just as he hauled back his foot to kick my stomach, Keith came flying into the room. He grabbed Antonio and tossed his bloody body into the wall.

  I turned away from the sounds of Keith beating him. It would only be seconds before the rest of the crew joined in.

  “Elliot,” I cried out and rushed to his lifeless body. I shook as my hand found his. It was limp, and I wanted so badly to feel him squeeze back.

  “Why couldn’t you have waited?” How could he do this? “Oh God, I should have told you about our parents, but I needed more time. I’m so sorry!”

  “Lexi.” Keith broke through my sobs. “We have to go now!”

  “He’s gone!”

  “Now, Lexi!” He hauled me to my feet and rushed me down the hallway. My legs were lead; I wasn’t even sure how my knees bent.

  One of the men stopped in our path, looking confused but pointing his gun at us.

  Suddenly, Gordon wrapped his arm around the man’s neck, knocking the gun to the ground and pulling him out of the way.

  What the hell?

  I could barely keep up as Keith dragged me along.

  Everything happened so fast. I was shoved into his truck, and we sped down the alley to the main road and gained even more speed. We’re going to get a ticket, I thought. My nails dug into the door handle and my feet pressed hard into the floor. I needed to ground myself to stay calm, but for some reason I wanted to giggle. This was the first time I had witnessed Keith turn on his Army instincts. He said nothing as he watched the road and his mirrors, speeding through red lights and switching lanes without any warning. I was too far lost inside to care what happened. Silly thoughts came to the surface, like if we crashed, I wondered if my brain matter might splatter out like El’s.

  Oh shit, I was losing it.

  He made a hard right and turned down to the parking lot of the lake. I saw Clark standing by his squad car with its engine running.

  Keith slammed the truck in park and rushed around to my door, yanking it open. He scooped me out and placed me on my feet and took my head in his hands.

  “Go with Clark. He’ll keep you safe until I get back.”

  The reality of the situation hit me. “Keith, what are you doing?”

  “I need to check on my family, make sure someone is there to watch them in case Antonio retaliates. Please go with Clark. I’ll call you on my way back.”

  “I don’t like this, Keith.” I wanted to panic, but now wasn’t the time.

  “I know.” He kissed me quickly and handed me off to Clark, who sat me in the back of the car.

  “Elliot’s dead, Clark. Shot. Lexi’s in shock. I’ll explain it all later. Keep her safe!”

  “You know I will.” Clark’s face was full of questions, but he gave a nod, and Keith sped off toward the highway.

  ***

  The sun was going down, and I was stuck pacing the floor of this shitty motel. Clark wanted us hidden and chose this place. I had officially broken down seven times. Seven times I told myself Elliot was in a better place. Seven times I cursed his name and let the hurt consume me until there was nothing left to do but pace the ugly pea green shag carpet. I wasn’t sure how I would grieve once Keith came back, but right now I only knew this situation was more fucked up than they could possibly know, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

  I peeked out the filthy brown curtains and saw Clark was on the phone. Sliding the window open a little, I listened.

  “Yeah, she’s here, man, don’t worry.” He paused and removed his cap, scrubbing his fingers through his hair. “Not good. She seems to be going through it in waves. Won’t touch a thing to eat, but that’s expected.” His hand swiped over his mouth. “Gordon should be there in about ten minutes. He got caught up in the chaos.”

  What? Was Gordon working with the police? I shook off the fog and tried to remember. He was always around, never said much, mainly just watched. Wait, was that why he stood up when Antonio was going to hit me that time?

  I leaned closer to the window.

  “Look, man, if you’re going to do this, you better be prepared for if you get caught. Doesn’t matter what coast you’re on. Trigger’s gang won’t blink an eye before snapping your neck. They’ll personally deliver your body to your parents.”

  No! Feeling my head go light, I sat on the mattress and tried to put the pieces together. That conversation just blew what little bit of fog was left from my head straight out. Then I felt the burn. It started in my fingertips and raced up my arms. It filled my heart and fueled my anger.

  No one was going to kill Antonio but me.

  Fingering the phone out of my pocket, I quickly Googled the closest place and ordered six large pizzas and three bottles of soda on Clark’s Visa. How was he a cop? Who left his wallet on the table, anyway?

  After that, I went through his bag. Thankfully, he was at the bottom of the stairs, and I would hear him come up. Yes! I felt the spare gun tucked in his case. I loved Clark, but he was so predictable. Twisting the numbers on the lock, I put in his street number, the same one he used on his phone, and tried a couple of pin numbers. Ha! It was his hockey numbers from high school. 1119.

  Predictable.

  Then I waited.

  A little Honda showed up with Tony’s Pizza on the top, and out jumped a kid looking real excited for a tip. Clark walked over, holding up his hands, telling the kid to go back.

  Grabbing my bag, happy Keith had thought to snatch it from the chair when we exited the club, I headed out the door. Keeping low, I raced across the balcony, down the stairs, and out across the back street. Seeing a bus, I ran ahead to the bus stop.

  Digging for the change in my pocket, I scrambled on before the driver closed the doors.

  “Thanks,” I huffed. I knew my face said it all; I was emotionally drained. Dropping the change, I took a seat and glanced over my shoulder at the disappearing hotel. There was no sign of Clark. Good. Keep talking.

  ***

  Keith

  I was staring at someone else, someone who would haunt me for the rest of my life if I wasn’t careful.

  Blackstone wasn’t with me. I didn’t have my men. I didn’t have backup. One wrong move and I could be staring down the barrel of a gun with no way out.

  I made sure my sweater was pulled well down on my arms to hide the fact I didn’t have the snake around my forearm. I twisted and knotted the red bandana around my wrist and checked over my clothes. Red oversized sweater, baggy jeans, and Vans. Looked about right.

  �
�Ready?” Gordon checked his watch. “They’ll be arriving in twenty.”

  “Yeah.” I checked my gun clip and followed him out to a blue 1975 Mustang.

  Gordon started the car, and we pulled out and headed to where the old crossroads met just outside of town. We picked this place for a reason.

  Parking in the shadow by the fence, we waited.

  “So, special forces?” Gordon asked. I guessed the silence bothered him.

  I checked my phone once more to make sure everything was good. Nothing new from Clark.

  “Yeah.”

  “A little more to it than working a beat.”

  “It has its moments.” Twin lights came in to view. “Here they come.”

  Dim headlights pulled into the clearing. Once they parked, they both rushed to the woods to take a leak.

  “Works for me.” Gordon chuckled. “Wasn’t looking forward to knocking a few heads out tonight anyway. Let’s move.” I barely heard him; I just wanted this shit over with.

  We rushed over, again running along the edge of the shadows to the side window of the truck.

  Gordon was the lookout. “Go,” he whispered.

  Using a crowbar, I wedged it into the back door and gently tapped the window. Between the pressure and the force, the window cracked and broke inward quietly. We hurried to gather the bricks of cocaine, stuffing them into a duffle bag.

  “Good?” I asked as we both looked off toward the woods.

  “Oh shit! No.” Gordon pulled his gun free. We pressed against the side of the truck.

  “Come on, dude, I’m hungry, and they don’t pick up for another thirty. Let’s grab something,” one guy complained.

  Snapping my knuckles, I mentally prepared for a fight.

  “Now go.” Gordon dipped low and started racing back to the Mustang.

  Now it was my turn to play my part. I raced behind him and dropped the bag, stepping boldly out of the shadows. Acting like I had hurt my knee, I was sure to show my red bandana for them to see.

  “Hey!” one of the men called out and took a shot in my direction. Dropping lower, I waited until the tires of the Mustang were next to me for cover.

  I dropped the bag with the drugs on the floorboard and dived inside, and we peeled out of the open lot. More shots hit the car, and one took out my side mirror.

  “How many bricks?” My words were rushed as we were pressed for time.

  “Six, I think.” Gordon swung into traffic, making the car next to us swerve. They blasted their horn at us.

  “Go!” I slammed down on the dashboard.

  Just as we blew through two major intersections, a semi-truck came out of nowhere, and we had to make a right turn, cutting off a whole lane. Everything in the car went flying, including my phone. It disappeared in the back somewhere.

  “Shit!” Trying to spot it was pointless. It was too dark, and I had to hang on.

  “Hold on!” Gordon shouted as he pulled a U-ey and dove down an alley so narrow I thought we might not fit.

  Crack! The other side mirror ripped off the door, leaving us with just the rearview.

  My heart pounded. Normally, I loved the rush but this was different. This was too personal for me to get my usual thrill.

  “Sure fucking glad this is Antonio’s car!” Gordon hissed as we came to a really tight spot.

  “You won’t make it!” I yelled.

  “Yeah, I know!” He slammed on the brakes, but we were going so fast we wedged between a trash bin and the wall. I flung forward, hitting my head on the dashboard.

  “Grab it,” I yelled as I kicked the windshield out with my boot and crawled through.

  “Here!” He tossed the bag to me and climbed out. We were only one block from Antonio’s clubhouse.

  “Go, and then get out,” I ordered.

  Gordon flung the bag on his back and ran toward the clubhouse. He needed to plant the drugs and get out before the Devil’s Reach got there.

  Pressing my hands against the dented hood, I took a moment, hating not knowing how it was going with Clark. I liked the constant communication I had with my own team at times like this. It was hard working blind with someone I didn’t know.

  Scrambling through the broken glass, I fished around for my phone, and under the seat in the debris I found it, but damn, it was smashed to shit. With a curse I tucked it away.

  Fuck!

  I shed the clothing I had worn to my own underneath. I pulled a ball hat on and walked back to the main street, then to the diner just down from the clubhouse.

  I opened the door, and the hostess squinted at my head.

  “You need some ice?”

  “I need to use your phone, please.”

  She nodded and pointed to a phone on the wall.

  “Thanks.”

  It rang and rang.

  “This is Clark. Leave a message.”

  I rubbed my head and tried to clean up the blood as best I could. “Clark. It’s done. We are in place, phone broke, at a diner across the street.” I slammed the phone down in frustration. This better fucking work.

  Taking the booth in the back so I could get a good view of the club, I let out a long sigh.

  I ordered some coffee and waited.

  Twenty minutes later, just as I thought I might go mad, I heard the deep, haunting rumble of the engine. Not one, not two, but the entire crew raced by and stopped in front of the clubhouse.

  I jumped to my feet. “Get down!” I yelled to the staff. Loud cries and screams faded as the staff rushed out back to safety.

  The lights flickered off, and I was left staring out the window at one of the most epic battles this town would ever witness.

  It was hypnotizing to watch as the Devil’s Reach got into formation and raised their weapons in unison. I’d hand it to Trigger; the man ran a tight crew.

  Bracing myself for it, I ducked and watched as a quick nod from their president brought a spray of thousands of bullets at the front of the Almas Perdidas clubhouse.

  It was like a million fireworks going off at once. Wood flew at least fifty feet, and the vibrations blew out the windows around me.

  “Keith!” someone shouted over the madness. “Keith!”

  I turned and found Clark screaming at me from across the restaurant.

  He mouthed something, but I had to duck, so I could barely read his lips.

  The bullets stopped as quickly as they had begun, and the roar of the engines as they raced by was deafening.

  Once they passed, I stood and looked back at what was left of the clubhouse. A giant dust cloud encased the building, and the screams of nearby people brought home the reality to me.

  “Lexi!” Clark grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “She left!”

  I shook my head as I absorbed his words.

  “Lexi left a while ago. I tried to call you, but you didn’t—”

  Swinging the door open, I ran as fast as I could across the street to the clubhouse that was now on fire.

  I forced my brain into training mode. It was the only way I could stay calm. Still, a cold, slow niggle of doubt slipped through the cracks, making my blood run cold.

  The place was like the aftermath of a cartel battle in Mexico. Bloody dead bodies were flopped over everything. Arms and legs were mangled in twisted positions. I started to sift through the mess, but I didn’t know where to start. I forced myself to think.

  I heard a strangled laugh. I turned around and saw Lexi rocking back and forth slowly on her heels. She held a gun at a smirking Antonio. He was propped up against the leg of the pool table. One arm had blood pouring out, and his other hand tried to stop the bleeding.

  “You think I’m scared of you, bit—”

  Bang! Bang!

  As I ran to Lexi, she turned, her face pale. Then I saw her left side soaked in blood. She brushed by my fingertips as she collapsed to floor.

  Lexi!

  ***

  Lexi

  I opened my eyes and squinted at a bright light. People w
ere rushing around me.

  “She’s lost a lot of blood.”

  “How old?”

  “Thirty-one.” Keith’s voice. I couldn’t see him.

  “Okay, sir, I need you and your family to give us some room.”

  “Let’s go, guys.” Clark’s voice was low.

  “Lexi, we love you!” Keith’s mother?

  Am I crying?

  “Can I stay with her?” Keith asked, and the doctor looked at me. I slowly shook my head. “Lexi!” Keith called out, confused.

  “Sir, please, you’ll only hold up the process.”

  The doctor hovered over me, looking worried.

  “Ahh, Miss Kline, we have a problem.”

  Oh shit, now what?

  ***

  “Good morning.” Nurse Robin opened my blinds to let in the morning light. “Are you going to eat for me today?”

  Pushing the button on my bed, I rose to a sitting position. I was on day two in the hospital and was feeling a little better than yesterday. Thankfully, the bullet went straight in and out my left shoulder. Nothing major was damaged. The only thing it did was give me a giant wakeup call.

  “Yeah, I’ll try.” I cleared my throat. “Could you please pass me my phone?”

  “Sure. It was ringing a lot yesterday.” She handed it to me and said she’d be back with my breakfast.

  Five missed calls from Yellow. Shit. Swiping it open, I called him back.

  “What the hell happened?” I wished he was a little nicer.

  “I’m done.”

  There was a small pause. “Lexi, we had a deal. If you want your brother’s murder charges cleared, you need to stick it out another four months.”

  “Elliot is dead.” My throat stung as I forced the words out. “I held up my end of the deal. I gave you all the information I could on the Almas Perdidas, and now in return I want nothing but to be left alone. Your Guns and Gangs will just have to do without me now.” I hung up.

  “Is that—?”

  I turned my head sharply to see a pale-looking Keith standing in the doorway.

  “You were working with Guns and Gangs?”