Page 41 of Karma
Why didn’t I insist he show me after Phillip showed up here? When we knew Lex was in danger, I should have been taught to shoot to be another layer of protection.
He runs to the kitchen and peeks out the window, hoping the crazy man doesn’t see him. Shoving Lex into the trunk, Phillip whips around to look at the house, and Lucas ducks down.
“A black Ford sedan. No badge showing the model, but it’s a four-door. Older.”
The car starts, and he chances another peek out of the window. The license plate jumps out at him. FUNASH1
He runs to his phone charging in his room and tries to call Colt. It goes straight to voicemail, and he almost slams it on the floor. “Damn it, Dad!” he shouts.
Undertaker! He’ll know what to do.
Undertaker answers after only two rings. “Hey, kid—”
“Phillip broke into the house and took Lex. No one else was here, and Colt’s phone is off,” he says in one breath.
“Woah, slow down. What are you talking about?”
Sniffling, his hands shake. “Lex came home to meet me because I was sent home from school sick. Colt’s phone keeps going to voicemail without ringing, and she wouldn’t leave me alone. She tried to call Venom, but he didn’t answer. Phillip kicked in the door, and he took her at gunpoint. Shoved her into the trunk of a car, and he took off.”
“What’s he driving?”
“Um, a black four-door Ford. I don’t know what kind, but it’s older. He has a license plate that says F-U-Nash-One.”
His motorcycle starting helps Lucas breathe just a bit easier. Not a lot, but at least it’s something. “What direction did he go?”
Running onto the porch, he squints to see the car turning onto the highway. “Um, east. Turned right off the road that goes to our house. That’s east, right?”
“Yeah, that’s good. I’ll take care of it.”
The line goes dead, and Lucas walks back inside, crumpling to the floor. His mom was taken, and he did nothing to stop it.
He should have insisted she leave him alone in the house. If Phillip broke in and found only him, he may have just left. Or he should have gone to the clubhouse instead of home. Then they’d be safe and sound.
“How could you let him take her, Lucas?” he shouts and hits his fists against the sides of his head. “I’m supposed to be smart. How did I let this happen?”
Phillip’s words haunt him.Do as I say, and I might leave her somewhere to be found like the others. A small piece to put in the grave you’ll visit.
“If I wasn’t sick, this wouldn’t have happened. This is my fault, and I’m going to lose her.”
Her phone rings from the living room, and he runs to it, praying he’ll see Colt’s name appear. Instead, he sees Venom’s.
“Hey, Lex, I saw you called,” Venom says, his voice sleepy. “I passed out for a few minutes. What’s up?”
“She’s gone,” Lucas says, his voice cracking.
“Lucas?” He’s much more alert now. “What are you talking about? Gone where?”
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he fights the fresh wave of tears burning his eyes. “She came home because I’m sick, and Colt’s phone is off. I told her to call you to come back, but you didn’t answer.”
“Lucas, talk to me. What’s going on?”
The panic in his voice breaks Lucas. He loves Lex as much as Lucas does. “No one was here. Phillip broke in before she could call Undertaker, and he took her at gunpoint. Shoved her in a trunk and took off.”
“Where is he now?”
“I don’t know. She told me to listen to him, but I should’ve done something to stop him. Even if he killed me. I just… I called Undertaker. I need him to save her.”
“I’m on my way.”
