Page 36 of The Walls of Levi

I see Kelly break out into a big grin, and I follow suit. Micah is a little spit fire. After watching her practically fall apart in my arms, she’s like a bear protecting her cubs, now.

“I can take that gun away from you little girl,” Fred sneers.

Micah doesn’t move. “You can try, but I’m sure I’d shoot you first. See, your son taught me how to shoot Fred, and I’m pretty sure it was your face that he envisioned for the target.”

Fred doesn’t get to say anything before sirens are heard all around us. Kelly and I run towards Micah. We stand behind her and watch as police circle around behind Fred and hold their guns on him. He slowly turns around with his hands in the air.

After they get him on the ground and handcuffed, we all let out a long breath. I didn’t even realize I was holding mine.

Kelly puts her hand over the top of the gun and lowers it along with Micah’s hand. Micah slowly lets the gun go and Kelly takes it from her. I move towards Micah and slowly pull her into my arms. She doesn’t put up a fight and melts into me. She may be weak right now, but I saw every second of her being strong. It’s something I’ll never forget.

We are all three sitting on the couch, talking to an officer sitting on the coffee table in front of us, when the boys come storming into the house.

Micah and Kelly jump up as fast as lightening and run to Zant and Chance before tackling them in a hug. I watch as Levi slowly walks inside but stops before crossing the room. I can tell that he wants to come to me, but the fact that he doesn’t know me is holding him back. Relief is on his face. Probably for his sisters. I had no notions that he would come and kiss me or anything. No. I never thought that. I inwardly roll my eyes at my runaway ludicrous thoughts.

He walks towards me without ever taking his eyes off me, though and butterflies sore in my belly. Once he gets to me, he stops and puts his hands in his pockets.

“Are you ok?” he whispers.

“Yes,” I whisper back.

Before I take another breath, he pulls his hands out of his pockets and yanks me to him.

I’m not complaining.

Chapter 24

Levi

“Fred knows where my family is,” I tell Rick, in a panicked voice.

“Where are they?”

“In Conerly.” I look at Zant and Chance. They are just as panicked as I am. It’s written all over their faces.

“Let’s go then.” Rick is getting up from the stool and telling the officers he’s going to go with us to Conerly, and for them to put an APB out on Russell and Wilson. He further tells them to bring them in and hold them until he gets back.

I tell Ron and Dale to go home, and I will call them as soon as I know something. Both of them look like they are dead on their feet. Other than racing, we don’t deal with craziness. Since Fred hasn’t been in my life, all of our lives have been quiet for years. They aren’t used to this.

I make my way to the Demon, and before I jump in, Rick comes up and eyes her. “You mind if I ride with you?” I smirk. He could drive his own vehicle. He just knows that I will leave him in the dust.

“Sure. Hop in and buckle up.” I won’t be getting a ticket tonight.

About a half hour into the drive, I get a text from Kelly.

Kelly: Someone is pounding on the door.

Me: Don’t let them in.

Kelly: We aren’t. I’ve got the kids in the closet.

Me: Stay away from the door. It’s Fred. This was all him.

I hand my phone to Zant, so he can text her back, and I punch it. I’m about to see what this Demon is made of.

I hear Rick behind me. “Oh God.”

“Hold on detective and make sure your seatbelt is on. That was Chance’s wife. Fred is at the door.”

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