Page 135 of 5+Us Makes Seven

He was looking around, peering into the living room and glancing upstairs as we passed through the hall.

“Nice place you got here. Real nice, Eden. I’m glad you’re doing alright, y’know.” He smiled sweetly at me as he settled into a wooden chair at the kitchen table, hands resting palm down on the table.

I poured us both a steaming mug of strong coffee and took the chair opposite. I looked at him, remembering the cheeky older teenager I’d known as a kid. I barely recognized him these days.

“You’re looking good, Lucas. I’m surprised Maria and those kids haven’t worn you out!” I smiled at him, and he laughed good naturedly.

“Thanks. Nah, they’re good. Most of the time. And Maria tells me what to do. Makes things easy. Ain’t gotta think after a long day of busting boneheads!” His eyes sparkled as he took a sip of coffee.

“Listen. Jack spoke to me yesterday. I’m getting you out of here. Now. I got one of my guys waiting to look after you at a motel outside of town. It’ll just be for the time being, then we can move you somewhere safer and further away if...” He glanced down at his hands apprehensively, then looked up to fix me with an intense stare.

“If Jack don’t come back. But he will, I’m sure of it. This will all be over before you know it.”

“Thanks Lucas. I owe you one. We owe you one. Tell you what, when this is all over me and Jack will take you, Maria and the kids out for a meal. Somewhere real nice.” I blushed as he grinned at me, his face lighting up with realization, and a flash of the cheeky youth I once knew shone through.

“Oh I see. You don’t hang around, do you?” He slapped the table. Coffee mugs bounced worryingly.

“Wow. I’m so happy for you both. I reckon you’ll be good for each other. I mean it.” He nodded at me. I smiled sweetly back at him, glowing at the thought of Jack and me together with Lucas’s blessing. I knew they were good friends and it meant a lot to have him rooting for us.

“Alright then, Eden. Let’s get out of here. Drive’s gonna be indirect. Gotta make sure we aren’t followed. Sorry if we have to go back on ourselves a few times.”

I stood up, pouring the remnants of our drinks into the sink. I steeled myself, taking one last glance around the kitchen before going to grab my bags from the couch. I turned to face Lucas who was standing behind me, expression c

losed, arms crossed.

“Ok, Lucas. Let’s get out of here.”

***

A little while later we were driving steadily along the interstate out of town, arid pastures as far as the eye could see on both sides. Large cacti loomed all round us, casting a long shadow in the dusty soil. My gaze wandered around the horizon taking in the monotonous scenery with a distracted boredom.

I leaned over to click the radio to a different station, annoyed by the incessant soft rock Lucas had been nodding his head to.

He glanced over his shoulder at me.

“Sorry, Eden. Don’t know what music you like.” He shrugged, eyes back on the road. Dust swirled in front of us, a red haze drifting across my vision in the early afternoon sun.

“Not long now. Almost there. Gonna stop at an old motel, like I said. Ain’t the best, but there won’t be anyone there, most likely. There’s no way Conall is gonna find you here.”

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, relaxing into the passenger seat. It felt good to be away from town, and the danger seemed a little more distant.

Lucas pulled the car into the parking lot of a rundown motel.

“We’re here,” he said, stopping the car.

The motel was nothing more than a row of tired rooms. The sun reflected off the windows, dazzling my eyes.

“Your room’s the one in front of us. I got some food in there for you, some water, snacks. Six pack of beers too, in the fridge.” He looked around at the two other cars in the lot. He pointed to one, a few spaces down from ours.

“See that car. That’s Al’s. Me and Al go way back. Hell, we went through the academy with Jack. He’s solid, ain’t never taken a bribe. Nothing more he likes than locking up scumbags. He’s gonna sit there, in his car, until I call him. He’s got a few days of food and fuel, and he’s gonna keep you safe. You get any trouble, you scream or run to his car.”

Lucas wiped a hand over his face, eyes narrow as he spoke quickly.

“I gotta get back home. Maria ain’t well, and the four kids are restless. She’ll never forgive me if I stay here.” He shook his head.

“That’s ok, Lucas. You got me here, safe. Call me if anything happens, okay?” I said, tapping him on the shoulder in thanks. He passed me a key for the room.

“You got it. Now go relax, watch some movies. Have a few beers. Won’t be long before you’re back home and curled up with Jack, or whatever it is you two get up to.” He grunted a laugh as I left the car.

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