Page 89 of Jack

“A change of clothes and a little care package from Nick, in case you need it.” Worley Bird hands a matching backpack to my brothers.

“Dobson is waiting for you and the boys at the county airstrip. It’s a helicopter. It’ll be a choppy ride, but he can get you in and out of California without your name being on a flight list.” Dad drops a hand on my shoulder and leans in eye-to-eye with me. “It’s LA, Jack. It’s different. Listen to Drew. Do exactly as he says, and go stop this threat against our family.”

“ I don’t like you sending my son off to get hurt,” Mom pouts.

Dad pulls her under his arm. “Ourson will be the next Viking Warrior President. He needs to know how to protect our family, no matter what it takes.”

“He’s not going alone, Aunt Ev.” Jay kisses her cheek.

“I need to see her before we go.” I point across the hall.

“Meet you downstairs.” Rodeo leads the others to the elevators.

“Mom, destroy those flowers. I never want to see that bouquet again.”

Separately, the lilies and roses might be okay. It’ll take a while for me to see it, though. I’ll burn an entire field of black dahlias down if I ever come across one.

“They’re on the way to the hospital dumpsters now.” Mom passes the box to Cloudy.

Chapter 41

__________

Lily

Beep

Beep

Beep

“I love you, angel.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“When I get back, I’m gonna need you to open those pretty brown eyes for me. Okay?”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“I won’t give you up, Lily. I can’t.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“Your world will be safe when you wake up. I promise, angel. I’ll make sure of it.”

Beep

---