Our Little Nest: Book 4 of The Two Timer Series

by D. B. Watson

  “My mom always told me I had a hard head,” Adam said, putting his hands behind his back.

  “We’re going to test that theory,” said the one Adam fought with. He noticed the bruise forming on the guy’s jaw with blood from a cut lip.

  “Not today.” Adam pulled his gun and pointed it at Seth, but two of his men stepped in front of him. “Now I want you all to step aside so we can leave,” Adam ordered.

  “You’ll never get out of town with my boy,” Seth said.

  “We’ll see about that,” Adam retorted. “Now move.”

  “Let them by,” Seth ordered. “We’ll see them again.”

  Adam kept Yuri and Jamie behind him as they moved to pass the men. They all exited through the back door as Adam slammed it shut. He grabbed a shovel nearby and wedged it under the handle.

  “Stay close,” Adam said as they ran towards the woods to get back to his jeep. But more of Seth’s followers were waiting and saw them coming. “Change of plans.” Adam took a detour, crossing an open field to get to the center of town. They came from behind a closed gas station. Adam checked for any familiar people moving about before heading in the diner’s direction. Yuri and Jamie stayed in step beside Adam as they passed several businesses: cards, candy, underground comics, crafts, a tea house, even a movie theater.

  “The diner is just ahead. Now listen, say nothing. Let me do the talking.”

  “Then what?” Yuri asked.

  “With luck, it’s crowded, so we can stay unnoticed until I can think of another way to my jeep.”

  “Fine.”

  Adam reached inside his coat and touched his gun first, then checked on the Taser in his side pocket. They reached the glass door just as someone was leaving. A man with a stocky physique, well-groomed, wearing a suit, held a slip of paper. He held the door open for them.

  “Thanks,” Adam said, grabbing the door. The man said nothing in response as he continued walking away.

  They entered the busy diner as they waited in line for the host. Adam remembered the host’s name being Shawn, but this time there was another man in his place. A fresh-faced American Native with light-brown, shoulder-length hair. His slim frame matched his coworkers. Adam looked around and saw Cole serving tables. The clientele was more diverse with men, women, and a few children, none over the age of a few months. The host worked quickly, seating the guests, and when he noticed Adam and Yuri, he flashed a flirtatious smile at them. Then he noticed Jamie.

  “Welcome to WillowMoss Diner. How many in your party?” He spoke in a soft, jovial tone that gained Adam and Yuri’s attention besides his divine looks and jewel eyes. Adam noticed his name tag read Dax.

  “Well, thank you, Dax,” Adam said, smiling back. “It’s just the three of us tonight.”

  “Christopher, I thought you were working tonight.”

  “Oh, well—” Jamie stammered, not sure what to say.

  “We’re old friends of Jam—I mean, Christopher. Father said it was all right for us to catch up,” Adam covered.

  “Oh, well, would you prefer to sit at the counter, which is no wait? Or a booth, which will be a twenty-minute wait?”

  “The counter would be perfect,” Adam said with a wink.

  Yuri wondered why Adam flirted with him.

  Dax gathered three menus and stepped from behind the podium. “If you would just follow me, I’ll get you seated,” Dax said, still smiling.

  “Lead on,” Adam said. “I’m enjoying the view.”

  Yuri was not enjoying Adam’s behavior and felt sorry for Patrick, who believed his and Adam’s relationship was solid. They took their seats at the counter as Dax gave each of them a menu.

  “Your server will be with you in a moment,” Dax said.

  “Thank you, Dax,” Adam answered with a crooked smile, gliding his eyes along the slim body. Yuri saw Adam’s response affected Dax, who blushed from Adam’s attention as he walked off.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Yuri whispered, irritated with Adam’s behavior.

  “What’s your problem?” Adam asked, giving Yuri a sideways glance as he opened his menu.

  “Why are you flirting with him when you’re in a committed relationship with Patrick?”

  “One, I’m working; two, my relationship with Patrick is none of your business; and three—” Adam stopped when he noticed Shawn coming out of the kitchen, unaware of them as he made a beeline to the podium where Dax stood. Yuri wondered why Adam stopped talking when he followed his gaze.

  “Is—he important?” Adam asked Jamie.

  “Shawn is Father’s—favorite,” said Jamie.

  “What do you mean?” Yuri asked.

  “He doesn’t mean his drinking buddy,” Adam answered. “Jamie, get him to come out back.”

  “Why?” Jamie asked.

  “He’s our ticket out of this town.”

  “But the Taser won’t work on Shawn.”

  “I don’t need to Taser him, I just need him. Now tell me where the back door is.”

  “It’s through the kitchen.”

  “Let’s go, Yuri.”

  “I’m not leaving Jamie.”

  “It’s okay, Yuri, I’ll be fine,” Jamie said, squeezing Yuri’s arm.

  “This is crazy,” Yuri said, not wanting to let Jamie out of his sight.

  “It’s the only way, Yuri. Now that he’s back, he’ll be fine,” Adam countered.

  “Adam’s right, I’m okay. And I can get Shawn to come with me.”

  But before Adam and Yuri could leave, their server came up.

  “Hi, I’m Finn, and I’ll be your waiter,” said a young Latino with deep green eyes, bronze skin, and the standard lean body like the others working at the diner.

  “It’s okay, Finn, they’re only in here asking about the town. I told them to go to city hall.”

  “Oh, okay,” Finn said, about to walk away.

  “Oh, one more thing, Finn. Can we go out the back door? We parked out there,” Adam asked.

  “That shouldn’t be a problem, right, Finn?” Jamie asked.

  “No, I guess not. I’ll show you the way.”

  “Thanks, Finn. Come on, Yuri.” Adam got up and followed.

  Yuri hesitated as he stared at Jamie, his fingers entwined with his.

  “It’s okay, Yuri, I’ll follow you.”

  “I’ll wait for one minute, then I’m coming back for you.”

  “I know.” Jamie wanted to kiss him, but thought it best not to draw any more attention to them. Yuri followed Adam as Jamie moved toward Shawn.

  “Shawn,” Jamie called, approaching.

  “Christopher? I thought Father was keeping you home tonight?”

  “He changed his mind and said I could come to work, but he wants to talk to you first. He’s out back and told me to bring you to him.”

  Shawn had no reason not to believe him. He and Christopher were close once.

  “Okay, let’s go,” Shawn said.

  While Jamie and Shawn headed for the back, out front, the sheriff’s SUV pulled up.

  Shawn followed Jamie, who, once in the alleyway, shut the door behind them. Stacked wooden crates and pallets kept Adam and Yuri hidden until Jamie shut the door.

  “So, where’s Father?” asked Shawn, turning to him.

  “That’s not my name anymore, Shawn.”

  “What?”

  “My name’s Jamie.”

  A stunned Shawn realized Jamie wasn’t under Father’s influence.

  “Father’s not coming, is he?”

  “We need your help, Shawn.”

  Shawn didn’t need to ask who they were. He turned and tried to run when Adam stepped out from behind the crates, blocking his escape.

  “Don’t make this difficult,” Adam said. “We just need your help to get out of town.”

  “What makes you think I’ll help you?” Shawn asked.

  “Why are you so devoted to that madman?” Yuri demanded.

  “He’s not mad. Everyone loves hi
m!” Shawn yelled back.

  “With mind control,” Yuri retorted.

  “No, Father cleanses our mind to open our eyes to the mistakes of humanity.”

  “Enough, we don’t have much time. We need to get to my jeep,” Adam said.

  “Where is it?” asked Jamie.

  “I parked it behind an abandoned warehouse.”

  “You’ll never make it there,” Shawn goaded.

  “Never underestimate me,” Adam said. He pulled out a Taser and showed it to Shawn. “This is at its highest level. If you try to call out for help or make a run for it, I’ll hit you with it. Unless you don’t mind being slung over my shoulder?”

  Shawn said nothing in response as Adam grabbed his arm, pulling him down the alley with Yuri and Jamie following.

  A moment later, Seth pushed open the back door. Dax told him Shawn went with Christopher to go find him.

  “Spread out and find them!” ordered Seth.

  “Should we do an all-points bulletin, Father?” asked one of his deputies.

  “Yes,” Seth snarled.

  The man went back to the SUV and radioed the message to the switchboard to have word of the fugitives broadcasted over the radio and TV.

  Adam and his party stayed off the main street as they made their way back to the gas station. They moved down a quiet block with high bushes as Shawn struggled in Adam’s grip when his fingers dug into his arm.

  “What did I tell you about fighting?” Adam barked at Shawn, tugging him close.

  “You’re hurting my arm,” Shawn whined.

  “Then keep up the pace.”

  “I don’t want to leave,” Shawn said in a sob.

  “We're not taking you with us, Shawn,” Jamie said. “We just need Father to let us leave town.”

  “He’ll let them leave town if you stay.”

  “No, I want to be free and out from under Father’s thumb.”

  “You don’t know how good you have it here.”

  “Being controlled is not having it good,” Yuri said.

  “Father loves Christopher,” Shawn said.

  “Funny, I would assume you would want Christopher out of the picture,” Adam said.

  “Why would I want to see Father unhappy not having his son around?” Shawn asked.

  “Well, Jamie has monopolized Father’s time. Which means less time with you?”

  Shawn saying nothing told Adam he was right.

  “Listen, when we get to my jeep with no problem, I promise to let you go.”

  “Really?” Shawn said.

  “But, Adam, we need him,” Jamie noted.

  “I can get us out of town without him. So, do we have a deal?”

  Shawn thought it over and nodded his head.

  “Okay, but we need to get a car. Father will have an APB out on us, and everyone in town will be looking for us,” Jamie said.

  “Any suggestions?” Adam questioned Shawn.

  “Any car will do. They all have keys inside them,” Shawn said, calming down.

  “What?” Adam asked, perplexed.

  “The town is safe; no one commits crimes here. If they do, it’s dealt with right away.”

  Adam saw a four-door sedan and walked up to the driver’s-side door, looking into the window. The keys to the car were in the ignition. He tried the door and it opened without trouble.

  “Let’s go. Jamie, you and Shawn in the back seat.” Once inside, Adam handed Jamie the Taser. “If he tries anything, use it.”

  “Okay,” Jamie said, glancing at Shawn.

  Adam started the car and drove to their destination. He tried not to speed, so as not to draw any attention. But he soon found out they were on to them. He glanced in the rearview mirror at Shawn. “All the cars have GPS, don’t they?” Adam asked, not needing an answer as Shawn remained quiet.

  Sirens flashed from behind as Adam increased speed, trying to outrun them. Two police cruisers were gaining on them as Adam tried to prevent them from passing. “There’s the field, hang on, we’re going through it.” Adam turned the car off the road and headed straight for the warehouse in the distance. He hit a dip that jerked the car sideways, but Adam regained control. A cry came from the back seat. Yuri turned, thinking it was Jamie, but he saw Shawn holding his head, crying out in pain.

  “What is it? Did he hit his head?” Yuri inquired.

  “I don’t think so,” Jamie said, dropping the Taser and grabbing Shawn, who dropped his head on Jamie’s lap, still crying out. “What’s happening to him? He’s in pain!” Jamie shrieked.

  Adam listened to the panic in Jamie’s voice as Shawn’s screams echoed in his ears. Then he knew what he had to do. He turned the car around and headed back the other way.

  “Adam, what are you doing?” Yuri yelled. “We’re almost there!”

  “He’s suffering because we’re taking him from the town,” Adam said.

  “How do you know it’s not a trick?”

  “We’re going to find out.” Adam hit the same bump and in seconds, Shawn’s cries melted away to a whimper, then silence.

  “He passed out,” Jamie said. “And he stopped holding his head.”

  Adam slammed on the brakes and slid to a stop as the vehicles circled him. He put the car in park and looked back at Jamie.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Jamie answered. “You saved his life.”

  “You did the right thing,” Yuri said.

  They watched as armed men surrounded them. Adam raised his hands and Yuri copied him as the men opened their doors and pulled them from the car, forcing them to kneel. Jamie got out on his own as one firefighter checked on Shawn. Father climbed out of his SUV and hurried over to Shawn.

  “Is he all right?” he demanded.

  “Yes, Father, he’s unconscious, but he’s fine.”

  “Get him into my truck.”

  “What happened to him?” Jamie asked. His father looked at him but didn’t respond; instead, he walked over to Adam and Yuri.

  “First, take Christopher to the truck. I don’t want him to hear or see this.”

  “What? No—Father—no. I’ll stay with you if you let them go.”

  “Jamie, no,” Yuri said. “Don’t stop fighting him!” Someone struck Yuri in the face to quiet him as Jamie was dragged off and locked in the back seat of Seth’s SUV with Shawn.

  Once Seth was sure Jamie couldn’t hear, he focused his attention on Yuri and Adam. “I need to show you something, Detective Potter. It’s something that will interest you both.” One of Seth’s men held a tablet in front of them both. “This is a live feed.” He started the stream and Adam watched as a camera moved around a room. “Does this look familiar to you, Detective?”

  Adam saw the room as just a room, then he started to recognize it as his own apartment. The camera moved about, showing the kitchen, the living room, and then it led to the bedroom. There, someone was sleeping on the bed. As the camera got closer, Adam saw Patrick.

  “What is this?” Adam demanded, trying to stand, but the men held them in place.

  “Keep watching, Detective, it gets better.”

  Justin stepped into view, smiling at the camera before climbing onto the bed, lying beside Patrick. Ethan handed Justin a container labeled gasoline. Without opening it, Justin pretended to pour it all over Patrick.

  “No!” Adam cried, struggling, as the tablet was moved away.

  “My, not a pretty sight if that scenario played out.”

  “He’s not part of this! Patrick knows nothing.”

  “I know. But you don’t know how to listen. I need to be sure you will listen this time. And I want you to be aware. Patrick is not the only one you love we can reach. Troy and Anton, your parents. Paul and Kyle, your brothers, are within my reach. Don’t test me, Detective. My world will be undisturbed. Understood?”

  “Yes,” Adam said, defeated.

  “And how about you, Mr. Jin? Do I have your word?”

  “Yes,” Yuri said, not he
sitating.

  “Good. You both can stand now.” The men pulled them to their feet. A vehicle came up, stopping just behind them. “Your jeep is right there and you’re free to leave.”