Page 21 of Home on the Road

Well, that explained a lot. But Ziggy had his own message to pass along. “The cops should be here in a minute or two. Stay safe. I love you.”

Turning his head just slightly, Ziggy brushed his lips over Harry’s. When he would have pulled back, Harry’s hand slid up his back. It cupped the back of his head and held him still as Harry kissed him back. Only Harry’s kiss was long, deep, and deserved an adults-only rating.

“Stop that. It’s time to go,” Terry approached and poked Ziggy in the side with the gun barrel.

****

Harry slowly pulled his arms back and released the man he loved. He thought he heard footsteps to the side of the house. He hoped that meant the authorities had arrived and were walking in instead of driving into this insanity.

Looking deep into Ziggy’s eyes, he declared in front of Sam, Terry, and God himself, “I love you, Z-man. Always remember that.”

“I love you, too,” Ziggy returned, then cried out as Terry slammed the hand holding the gun against the side of his head.

“Shut up, boy. You can’t love a man. I won’t let you. Now let’s go.”

Harry had to focus on controlling himself before he tackled Terry and beat the shit out of her. He and his brothersmay have been taught not to hit women, but this creature could use a good beatdown. Especially when she started jabbing Ziggy in the back with the gun to make him move faster.

Movement at the side of the house caught his attention. A sheriff’s deputy was creeping forward, gun drawn. A look to the other side of the house proved the man was not alone.

While Ziggy was dragging his feet, despite Terry’s urgings, the sheriff and his deputies hurried forward until they were just a few yards behind them. When they reached Terry’s car, Ziggy went around to the driver’s side. That was when he saw the officers and froze.

“Get your ass in the car, boy,” Terry growled, waving the gun at him.

Knowing Ziggy would react, Harry yelled, “Ziggy, down!”

As Ziggy dropped to the ground on the far side of the car, Terry whirled around to face the house. She did not seem to see the men with guns pointed at her as she pointed her gun in his direction and fired. In response, the officers shot her several times, their aim much better than hers.

In seconds, she fell back and slid down the side of the car, obviously dead.

“Shit,” Sam cursed.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” Sam said, “but she broke the window.”

“We’ll get it fixed,” Harry said as he leapt off the porch.

He ran wide of the scene where the sheriff and his men were securing Terry’s weapon and confirming her status. Rounding the front of the vehicle, he looked at Ziggy who remained still as a stone.

“Ziggy? You okay?” Harry ran to the fallen man and knelt. “Shit, please be okay.”

Ziggy slowly rolled over and looked up at him. “Is she dead?”

“Yeah. At least, I’m pretty sure she is. The sheriff and his deputies aren’t known to miss what they shoot at,” Harry said. “Are you okay?”

Ziggy sat up and leaned into Harry’s body. “I’m okay. How are you? She shot at you.”

“Sam says she broke a window,” Harry said, wrapping his arms around his man and holding him tight.

“I’m sorry.”

Harry chuckled. “Not your fault. She’s the one who broke it.”

“Okay, then I’m not sorry.”

“You two okay?” the sheriff said as he stepped into view.

“Yeah, we’re good,” Harry said as he stood up before helping Ziggy to his feet.

---