Page 34 of Dangerous Chaos

The group exited the home to the garage where they began to disperse among the waiting vehicles that all appeared the same –– except one.

“You yeehaw that shit, and I’ll drive you right into the lion’s den for free,” Rip warned. “You got it?”

“I’ve grown on you. We’re best friends now, aren’t we?” Wit followed Rip to the car they were riding in. “Been a long time since I had a real brother. A realbest friend. A…bestie.”

“Besties we are not.” Rip turned on his heels and shoved a finger in Wit’s face. “Brothers-in-arms, sure. I’d say we’re more or less to mild tolerance. Plus, anything happens to you, and Ayelish will have our asses. This is just self-preservation.”

“You’re a fast learner, Rip,” Ayelish hollered from her vehicle.

“Yeah, and if you’re pissed, so is Ashlyn, and I’m not tempting the twins of terror,” Rip warned. “So I’m taking one for the team and taking Cowboy in. Nobody fuck this up, or I’ll be on your ass right after the redheaded fury you’ll have on you.”

Everyone chuckled as they made their way to whichever dark SUV they were assigned, but Rip kept walking, Wit on his heels, and found the vehicle they were taking in.

“A Prius?” Wit questioned with what sounded like disgust. “I’m riding in a fucking blue Prius? How are we both gonna even fit in there?”

“Oh, I’m riding shotgun,” Dillon said, coming up behind them. “You get the back seat. Need to look natural, and there’s nothing natural about two giants in the front seat of a car like this. Inconspicuous is the name of the game. I’m your gun if we run into heat.”

“No one will suspect the tiny raven-haired lady as the threat,” Rip agreed.

“How we gonna outrun anyone in this thang?” Wit argued while the rest of the group watched with amusement. “Especially with the two giants you mentioned inside. Are there holes in the floor so we can Fred Flintstone this death trap and outrun the bad guys? I’m gonna need my runnin’ shoes for that to happen ’cause I’ve seen you run, Rip. We ain’t winnin’ the race with your clunky lead-footed ass at the helm.”

“Don’t worry.” Killion interrupted Wit’s tantrum. “I’ve made modifications. You’ll be much safer in that than one of the big rigs.”

“Of course, you did,” Wit said. “Couldn’t you have played with a real vehicle? I feel attacked.”

“It’s a part of the tactical plan,” Killion defended. “If we’re made, they’re not chasing a Prius.”

“Right,” Dace continued. “It’s a defensive decision. A chain of SUVs will draw attention and fire, especially when they break off in groups and look like a diversion –– which we are. Anyone currently on to us or waiting will follow us. Not Ma and Pa in the Prius.”

Dace winked at Wit and wore a sarcastic grin, as were the rest of the team.

“Oh, y’all are enjoying this,” Wit noticed. “Bunch of assholes is what y’all are.”

“It’s not personal.” Killion grinned. “You’ll leave the neighborhood after us and go a different route.”

“And what if we run into trouble?” Wit argued.

“We have Keepers in random cars all along your route or in proximity should you need to stray from the route. They’ll be passing you along to one another like a baton. You’ll never be alone. Someone will be at your six the whole way to Watermark,” Killion assured. “Finn is at the bottom of the hill waiting. He has first leg and will move ahead after he passes you off to clear the way, picking you back up for the final stretch. You’re going to be fine.”

“You’ll never be alone out there,” Coy insisted, taking a serious tone. He was the closest thing to a real brother or best friend Wit had. They had a connection established long before they joined the ranks of BK Security. “Twenty minutes from here to there and that’s counting on heavy traffic –– could be shorter.”

Ayelish checked her weapon then secured it in her holster under her jacket, then stepped on the running boards of one of the SUVs half in and half out. “You ready? We need to get going.”

“Aye?” Wit looked among the group with panic. “I want you with me. C’mon, let’s…”

Her head tilted to one side, and a look of longing crossed her expression, and her voice softened. “You know how this works, Wit. If you’re their mark, I’m a pawn to get to you.”

Wit shook his head vehemently and walked toward her. “But if I’m not with you, I can’t…”

Cane stepped in front of him and put a hand on his chest like a subtle warning. “Being with you means if you get made, she’s at risk.”

“Right.” His head bobbed with understanding, and he swallowed hard as he tried to fight the emotion and worry welling inside him. “Anyone who knows me well enough to pin all this shit on me knows about her too. Shit. I’m not okay with this, Aye.”

Killion approached and landed a hand on Wit’s shoulder and called his brother off with a tip of his head.

“I got her,” Killion said softly to ease Wit’s worry. “She’ll be safe riding with me. She’s my sister, man. I won’t let anything happen…”

Killion’s voice dropped to a whisper, and he leaned in to Wit’s ear. “To either of them.”

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