Page 75 of The Reaper

Just when we thought we could finally take a breather, more shit was coming. “Damn it!” I looked behind, relaying the information to the others. The road was within reach. Our vehicles came into view.

“We’re almost there,” El Jefe said. Heath left Tobias with Andrew and took the lead with El Jefe, armed with guns.

“Was that El Jefe?” Zero asked.

“Yes, he’s with us.” We reached the road. “What’s their distance?”

Heath opened the back seat of Tobias’s red SUV then assisted us in getting Tobias inside. “Extend your legs,” Heath instructed.

“Based on my calculation, you have fifteen to eighteen minutes to get the hell out of there,” Zero said into my ear.

I told the others. El Jefe nodded and jogged to one of the parked black vehicles on the side of the road. “Check if they left the keys in that one?” El Jefe pointed to the car behind Andrew.

“Yes, they’re here,” he said.

“What are you thinking?” I asked.

“We’ll barricade these two SUVs to slow them down, while I take some of them out,” he explained.

Heath and Andrew hopped in the car and did as El Jefe instructed. They parked the cars side by side, blocking the narrow two-lane road.

“What do you mean while you take them out?” I walked the short distance between us. I didn’t like the sound of his plan.

El Jefe’s face softened. He held my face between his rough palms.

I shook my head repeatedly. “No,” I said. “We can get outta here. I’m not going to let you do this.”

“Do what?” Heath asked when he reached us.

El Jefe looked into our eyes, solemnity heavy in his voice. “This is our only chance to get away. You two know that.”

I turned my back to him. I understood what he was saying, but it didn’t make what he was asking us any easier. “No,” I whispered.

“Archer, look at me,” he said. I didn’t respond. “Son.” Loose rocks shifted behind me as El Jefe and I stood face-to-face. “You must go and finish what you’ve started. This is the end of the battle for me.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” Why couldn’t one thing go our fucking way?

“I never thought my life would matter until now,” he said. “We’re running out of time.”

I couldn’t speak, choking on my emotions. How would my life look without him? He was the father I never had. I wrapped my arms around him, soaking his shoulder with my tears, hoping my hold on him relayed what my words failed to do.

I loved him. I would miss him.

“I do too,” he said, sensing my unspoken sentiment. “Now, go on and make me proud.” He tapped my shoulder and headed to Tobias. “Take care of yourself, and always have each other’s backs.”

“See you on the other side,” Tobias said, wincing as he attempted to reach for El Jefe.

El Jefe held Tobias’s leg and closed the door. He faced Heath, Andrew, and I. “Get those motherfuckers.”

Andrew squeezed his shoulder before opening the hatch to get in the third-row seat.

“Thank you.” Heath shook El Jefe’s hand.

El Jefe nodded. “Take good care of him.”

“I will,” he said, heading to the driver’s side.

“Thank you for everything.” I gave him one last hug and ran to the passenger’s side before I dragged him with us. I hadn’t closed the door completely when Heath peeled off the road, speeding from zero to ninety miles per hour in seconds.

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