Page 44 of Fate
No one moved.
Deacon’s grin had returned now as he announced, “If you don’t and I am harmed or delayed, your parentswilldie.”
The guns all lowered as ammunition chambers were opened and bullets hit the table with resounding pings. Then heavy metal clangs rang out as the guns landed on the table as well.
Deacon looked over at Talon as he slowly lowered his arms. “You’d better run along now, Weston. Your family needs you.”
Talon shoved his gun into the back-waistband of his jeans and shook his head. “I can’t leave until you do.”
“Look Captain,” Deacon said as he raised an eyebrow at him. “You aren’t in charge here. If I am not in my copter in ten minutes, poor Ma and Jarret Walker will be history.”
“Go!” Glory yelled at Talon.
He shook his head and glanced at Bones. “I will call.” Turning, Talon headed toward the door.
Despite my fear and nervousness, I stood from my chair and raised my hands up to show Deacon I wasn’t armed. “I don’t use guns, so don’t get nervous, Mr. Deacon.”
His smile grew while he stared at me as if I entertained him somehow. “Yes, guns and you wouldn’t mix well. But I hear you are real handy with a bat.”
I blinked at him, but I wasn’t even gonna ask how he knew that.
Cocking his head at me, he queried, “What is it that you need, Lil BB?”
Fate growled at his sweet, flirtatious tone.
Swinging his gaze over to him, Deacon laughed. “Oh, it’s like that, is it? No worries, cuz. While she is lovely, she isn’t my type.” He again focused on me. “I do think she’s adorable though.”
“Please let Ma and Jarret go,” I pleaded with him. “I mean after you get away. They are old and they only have so many years left. Please don’t hurt them?” My eyes filled with tears as I couldn’t bear the thought of them suffering or being gone from this world. I glanced at Fate. It would hurt him and his family so badly. Someone had to try to talk with this madman.
Looking concerned, Fate reached up and tried to get me to sit back down. “Briget…”
I shook my head at him. No way was I gonna sit back down yet. If this man killed their parents…I couldn’t even think about what that would be like for Fate and the entire Walker clan.
Silence fell as everyone seemed to be in a suspended state of shock or dismay.
Deacon stared at me and simply said, “Ok.”
“Ok?” I gasped as I asked hopefully, “You will spare them?”
“Yes, Briget.” He smiled warmly at me as he nodded his head. “But that means you will owe me one.”
I batted my eyes at him. “One what?”
He stared at me then tossed his head back to laugh.
Fate took my hand and whispered, “You can’t trust his word, Briget.”
Deacon’s laughter stopped as apparently he had heard this whispering. “I beg your pardon, cousin.” He stared at Fate. “You and I have never met. Fate, right? Jarret sure has imagination, I gotta give him that. Yes, I am aware that Talon hates me. No less than I hate him. But ask Liv or her boyfriend, Logan. If I give you my word, it sticks.” He looked at me again and said, “If I get out of here unscathed and am free, I will have the old couple set loose. However, the war is still on. And it will be on until I say so. Redemption and Talon have their own ideas, but never underestimate me.” He stood from his chair and looked around at us all. “Texas Walkers…I bid you Adieu.” He then headed toward the back of the restaurant, leaving through the rear exit.
Suddenly, we could hear a strange but very loud humming sound.
“Helicopter,” Bones stated as he raised another gun he had hidden in his vest and rushed toward the back.
“STOP!” I yelled at him as I reached out and grabbed his shirt.
Bones’ body almost slingshot backwards. He then shook his head and easily pulled away from my grip.
“I mean it,” I threatened as I raised my finger up to his face. “We made a deal!”
