Page 115 of Flame
“Stay here.”
“What’s the situation?” I ask Jason.
“From what I can gather, if Bianca doesn’t do whatever Dad says, the man here is going to shoot Mom.”
Fuck! “Does your dad have a gun?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who has a gun?” Mom asks. “Foxx, what’s going on?”
I stay focused on my house, trying desperately to evaluate how to get into my house quietly and keep Bianca safe.
“Suggestions?” Even I hear the agony in my voice.
“Dad’s the main threat,” Jason says. “Eliminate that.God, I can’t believe I’m saying this. But do it. Do whatever you have to do. I doubt this guy gives a shit. We can’t—”
“Alert Reid.”
“Exactly.”
Dammit. I move into the living room and stand off to the side of the window, trying to get a good look at the front of my house. I kick myself for not walking her inside.What was I thinking not going with her?
I’ve failed my wife.
“Can you get inside your house?” Jason asks.
“Yes. I’m figuring that out now. Assuming he hasn’t barricaded doors and windows, I should be able to slide in the bottom door.”
“From what I can tell, they’re in your living room—fuck! Shit. Did you hear that?”
I still. The second report of a gun cracks through the air, breaking the silence. Then there’s screaming.
Oh God …
I have to get to her. If something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.
“He shot the ceiling,” Jason says. “It’s all good. All good.”
Fuck my life.
“See if you can get inside your house,” Jason says. “This guy is on speakerphone, so I can pretty much hear everything that’s going on. I’ll get in position, and if I hear any movements on your end, I’ll make one on mine before he can hurt Mom.”
“Roger that. I’m sorry, Jason.”
“I’m not. If this was going to happen, I’d want it to happen like this. Small favors and all.”
“I’m on my way over. Silencing my phone,” I say.
“Noted. Doing the same.”
“Roger that.”
I turn to the door.
“Foxx?What’s wrong?” Mom asks, pleading with me for an answer. Her hands wring in front of her.
I don’t break stride. “Stay here. Stay away from doors and windows and wait for my instructions. I mean it.”
