Page 64 of Operation: Chosen

Clayton reached in his back pocket and, in the next instant, pulled a knife and jabbed toward the deputy’s neck. Eric raced over to help, and Ali screamed for him to wait. He couldn’t stand there and let the deputy be killed.

“You think you can help?” Clayton laughed.

He’d only managed to nick the deputy, but his neck was already bleeding. Eric widened his stance and tried to distract Clayton so the deputy could call in help. Ali spread her arms wide to keep the boy from running. Eric wanted to tell her to stay back, but that would only distract her, and he wanted her to remain focused.

Deputy Blake radioed in what was going on as he applied pressure to his wound. Eric slowly moved closer to Big E’s brother.

“What do you think you’re going to do?” the boy taunted.

“Make sure you go to jail. Not just for assaulting an officer, but for horse theft, sale of stolen property, assaulting the boys on my ranch, and a whole list of things. I’m sure the good deputy would love to come up with more things to add to the list.”

The boy smirked. “And while you’re here worried about me, who’s watching Terrell? You were so focused on the horses that you forgot about him. Not surprising at all. Boys like him fall through the cracks. We all fall through the cracks. I’m not going anywhere with you guys, and neither is my boy, E. The others are already out there making sure E is free.”

“What about Jayzon?” Eric hoped to distract him long enough for help to arrive.

“He’s a nuisance and he knows too much.”

Ali slipped in closer to Clayton, and Eric had to hold back from saying anything. Clayton waved his knife at her. “Get out of my space.”

Eric’s cast was made of some kind of plaster and would probably require a saw to get through, meaning that little knife wouldn’t do much damage. Assuming that he used the knife and not the gun. Either way, Ali was getting too close, and if anyone got hurt, it would be him. Not her.

Eric tucked his arm in front of him like a shield and rushed the juvenile. Clayton’s eyes widened slightly as he jumped back, raising his knife to protect himself. Eric blocked the thrust with a quick lift of his casted arm, sending the knife flying. While he had surprise on his side, he swung his arm down over Clayton’s head.

Deputy Blake raised his pistol. “Freeze. Hands up.” He’d managed to bunch some fabric and staunch his neck wound, but he was looking mighty pale. “Ali, an ambulance is on the way. I want you to stay back.” He didn’t take his eyes off the boy.

Ali raised her hands and backed up a few steps. Eric found himself in a precarious position. He held on to Clayton’s wrist with his good hand, but the other was fairly useless for anything but a club. After hitting the boy twice, his arm was already in more pain than he’d had the last few days.

“Eric, slowly back away,” Deputy Blake said.

“If he moves, I’ll shoot him,” Clayton said. “He’s my ticket out of here. See if you can stop me.” Clayton raised his gun and shot at Deputy Blake. Eric tried to free himself in the split second Clayton was focused on the deputy, but the boy was too quick. Clayton wrenched his arm around, flipping Eric’s hold and freeing himself.

Clayton grabbed Eric and wrapped his arm behind his back. “Now, you’re my shield. Get me out of here.”

Eric didn’t want to go anywhere because if he did, he was dead. This kid wouldn’t hesitate to shoot him, and he had no protection.

“You heard me. Move.” He kneed Eric in the back of the legs, forcing him forward toward the back doors and away from anyone who could stand in their way.

ChapterTwenty-Five

All the air left Ali’s lungs in a squeak as she watched helplessly as Clayton shoved Eric through the back door. She glanced at Deputy Blake, but he was in no condition to run after anyone, and neither she nor him were safe yet. Herb was still somewhere, probably nearby.

She headed for Officer Blake and helped him sit. With his thick and heavy tac vest in the way, it wasn’t easy. “Who will go after him?” she asked.

“Backup is on the way.” Officer Blake winced. “Do not go after them. That young man is wanted in two states. He’s not going to just drop his weapon and come quietly.”

That wasn’t the answer she wanted. After waiting for over twenty years to finally have her chance with the man she loved, watching him get forced to walk away and possibly never return was tearing up her insides. “What can I do?”

“Stay right where you are.” He closed his eyes and slid back carefully until he could lean against a wall.

Finally one person wandered back where they were from the crowded arena. “Oh my!”

Ali held up her hands. “It wasn’t me. He ran that way. Get help!” She pointed to the open door in the distance. The man turned and ran out the way he’d come. She had no way of knowing if he would help or not.

“What can I do for you?” She helped Blake press the cloth to his neck, though she had no idea where he’d gotten it from. It was already bright with blood.

“Stay here with me. That way my backup can focus on going after Eric and helping me. If they have to go after you too, we might be spread too thin.”

“What about Herb? We can’t just let him get away. He has to be somewhere in the building.” Not that she was feeling particularly brave enough to go after him. He could be just as armed and just as dangerous as Clayton.

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