Page 113 of Ryder

“My kid,” I whisper. “Don’t do this in front of him.Please.”

“Drive!” he bellows.

Adian struggles in his seat as I check the review mirror. “Buddy, it’s okay. I just need you to be a good boy for Dad, okay?”

“Daddy, who is that man?” He can barely get the words out. “He’s scaring me.”

“Just remember what Daddy told you about bein’ super quiet and what to do when a stranger approaches and you get scared, okay?” His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. He’s fucking five, he’s not gonna remember what I told him. He reaches for his headphones next to him.

“Is the man gonna hurt you, Daddy?” he stammers before putting them over his ears.

I want to throat punch this fucker until his voice box is caved in, then rip his eyeballs out from his sockets. If I get out of this alive, he’s a dead man.

The man next to me snickers as if he’s enjoying the sound of my child’s terrified voice. Sick fuck.

“No, bud, he’s not. We just gotta be quiet for a little bit. Maybe you can play a game. You like Jumping Egg, right?”

We got Ade a GPS tracking watch with games. It also doubles as a personal alarm. That’s if he remembers what to do. Again, he’s fucking five, so I doubt it. They don’t retain information, and why should he have to at his age?

He wipes his face. I watch the road as I pull out onto the street. “OrDuck Duck,” I add.

“I likeDuck Duck,” he snivels, then, “My tummy hurts.”

Yes. We’ve been through stranger danger and given him safe words. I grip the steering wheel harder. He’s getting it. ‘My tummy hurts’ is a safe phrase for him letting us know he’s uncomfortable.

My heart thuds faster. “Just a little bit longer, okay? You remember Dad’s favorite game?Crocodile.Why don’t you play that one and put your headphones on?”

“Okay, Daddy.” His little tongue hangs out of his mouth as he pulls the headset on, then concentrates on his watch.

Fucking, please. If there’s anyone on my side, let him hit that alarm right fucking now.

“You about done?” the asshole next to me sneers. “Kid talks way too much.”

“He’s five, asswipe, and terrified. What do you want?”

“We’re gonna play a little game called shut the fuck up or I’ll shoot you, got it?”

“You’re not man enough to show your face?”

He shakes his head. “Oh, I’ll save that surprise for when we get to where we’re going.”

“Which is where?” I bark.

“Just keep driving, and if anyone calls and you do or say anything, I’ll put a bullet in his brain.”

I swallow hard. This fucker isn’t messing around.

A few moments later, Crystal’s calling me.

Did he send the signal?

“Answer it, but don’t say shit or I’ll shoot your brains out right in front of your kid.”

I clear my throat. “Hey, honey.”For fuck’s sake, hear what I’m about to say.

“Is everything okay? You’ve been a while.” She knows. We’ve barely been any time at all, and she knows not to outrightly ask if Ade’s personal alarm goes off.

Did his alarm go off? Or is she just calling me and I’m wishful thinking?

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