No. No, no, no?—
Her words sear into my brain like a branding iron.
They’re going after Chleo.
My son.
My blood.
And I’m not there to stop them.
I screech to a halt. Two targets. Two directions.
Lilly—taken.
Chleo—still safe, but not for long.
An impossible choice no father should have to make.
I slam my fist into the steering wheel. I close my eyes. Force my breathing to slow. Panic helps no one. Fear helps no one.
Who do I save first?
Breathe. Think. Choose.
They won't kill Lilly immediately. I heard them say the boss wants her alive. She’s leverage.
But Chleo...
Five years old. Innocent. He’ll be terrified.
And they're heading for him now.
There's only one choice. I turn around, head in the other direction.
I take corners at speeds that should flip the car. The engine screams in protest. I push harder. Faster. The road blurs beneath me.
It’s not hard finding Rosa’s. Small Town. Heard her mention it once.
It’s a small cottage. Blue shutters. Pretty fairy lights strung across trees.
And a black SUV parked outside.
Too late. They're already here.
I kill the lights. Coast the final hundred yards. Stop behind a row of trees out back of the house, where I know they can’t see me.
Grab my gun. Check it’s loaded.
And then, I move silent and fast.
The back door has already been kicked open. I raise my gun. Press my back against the wall. Listen.
There’s no sound.
I peer through the cracked door. Living room's destroyed.
Rosa lies crumpled near the sofa. Blood matting her curly hair.