Page 36 of Lenkov

“Round everyone up. We’re going to my parents.”

“Good. That’s good. Can I come with you? Please?” Her eyes light with hopefulness.

“Everywhere you go, destruction has followed. I don’t trust you not to sell us out to save your own hide. One good deed doesn’t undo all the underhanded shit you already pulled.” Turning my back, I ignore her wailing as Ge radios back to the house, preparing for the emergency evacuation.

Getting into the car, I slam the door behind us, and we pull off. A sense of urgency hits, and I leap out of the car before it comes to a full stop. As I jog up the stairs, stopping in Jaycee’s room. I pack a bag with enough clothes for a few days and his favorite toys. Before I move to my room and knock.

“Rylee, it's me.”

The door unlocks, and I smile at her pink and black silk bonnet, and my sleepy son nestled into the crook of her neck.

“I need you to get dressed. Throw some clothes in a bag and come back. I already packed a bag for Jaycee. Set him on the bed. I’ll get dressed here while you do.”

“Why? What’s going on?” She asks.

“I don’t have time to explain.” I set my gun in the dresser's top drawer and move to the closet as she lays him on the bed.

Pulling out a hoodie, I pull it over my head. I grab a pair of blue jeans and pull them on. Shoving my feet into sneakers, I pack a bag for myself, and Rylee returns. I remove the gun from the drawer and tuck it into the back of my jeans.

“I’m ready.”

“Okay. I’ll carry him.” Placing the duffle bag across my body, I leave Jaycee’s book bag for her to carry.

Lifting him up, I hurry downstairs. A voice in my head urges me to hurry. My gut’s kept me alive for too long to ignore it now. Placing a hand on the small of her back, I hurry Rylee along. Helping her in the car, I quickly buckle Jaycee in his car seat and shut the door. Iosif climbs in the passenger seat, and Ge cranks the engine. I lean forward, jiggling my knee as I scan the area.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Katherine set the alarm off.”

Rylee tensed.

“She’s gone. But I’m taking her warning seriously.”

“What did she say?” Rylee whispers.

“That we were in danger here.” The gate swings open, and we turn onto the road. Pulling onto the main road toward town, we spot a cavalcade of black cars.

“Rylee. I want you to duck down and cover Jaycee with your body.”

“What?” she squeaks.

“Now, trickster.” She leans over him, and I cover her as best I can.

“Ge.”

“I see em’, Boss. Hold on tight.” He punches the gas, and I hold Rylee tight.

Engaging would see us slaughtered. Escape is the only way we will survive when we’re this outnumbered. The cars all flip a bitch. Flashes of light contrast with the smoke coming up off the road. Seconds later, the bullets ping against the car's reinforced metal. Rylee screams, and Jaycee wakes and sobs loudly. An SUV slams into the side, and Ge pulls away and returns, hitting the car by the front and sending it into a tailspin. Breaking, Ge cuts to the right, and the car behind us plows into the one following it.

The two cars following us form a barricade, and I watch as they roll down the window and unload, creating the diversion we need. Anger wells inside me. I’ll make sure those men didn’t give their lives in vain. When we find out who the attacker is, we’re going to gut him and destroy everything he has from the inside out.

Sitting up, I use my sleeve to clean the tears off Rylee’s and our son’s faces.

“It’s okay. The bad people are gone.”

“That was scary, Daddy.” He hiccups.

“I know. We’re going somewhere safe. All of your uncles and cousins will be there, too.”

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