Page 94 of Mountain Daddy

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.