Page 24 of Rush

Noah turned the wheel sharply to the left, the SUV blocking both lanes of the freeway as the small French car’s front end crushed into the doors. The car bounced back, steam coming from its disabled engine. As the men tried to get out, Noah, Tailor, and Alec stepped from the SUV.

“Drive!” yelled the man in the passenger seat.

“I can’t! The car won’t start!”

“You wanna play, little boy?” grinned Tailor. He gripped the man’s shirt, dragging him from the car. “Let’s play.”

Noah ripped the damaged door from the passenger side, gripping the other man by the neck, as Alec took the man in the back seat. They were kids. Barely twenty-five, if that.

“Let us go!” yelled one of the men.

“Like you were going to let our friends go?” said Alec. “I don’t think so, boy. See, where we come from, chasing an innocent woman is an offense worse than theft. In fact, didn’t your own people cut off the hands of thieves?”

“No, no!” he cried.

“Yea, I think that’s right,” said Tailor. “I’m not into knives. I prefer just breakin’ bones and leavin’ men to die on the side of the road.”

“Please, we were just following orders,” said the man.

“Whose orders?” asked Noah.

“Grigoryan. He wanted the girl dead to make the big man, uh, the other big man, angry.”

“Well, you’re going to deliver a message to him.” The three men looked relieved, but then Alec laughed. “Oh, no. Not in person. You’re dying on the side of this highway for trying to kill that girl. But your death will let him know we are not to be fucked with.”

“Please, no! We’ll tell you anything!”

“Where is he training the new soldiers?” asked Noah.

“Bozyaka. There’s an old wool factory there, and he’s got everyone out there. Their only goal right now is to get enough men to overrun the local police and take the city.” The other men nodded at their friend, happy that he gave them what they wanted. “Please, let us go.”

“Sorry. You just betrayed a man that would kill you far more violently than I will. You’ve proven who and what you are. Say goodnight.”

It was fast. No crying, no bleeding, no broken bones. Not for Alec, Noah, or Tailor. The other three were shoved back in their car with broken necks. Speeding away, they arrived at the airport just as Doug and Chipper were going to close the doors.

“Take the SUV back,” said Tailor. “We chipped the paint, and the boys back home will want to fix it up.”

“Sure thing,” smirked Doug. Caroline hugged the three men, kissing their cheeks. When she got to Noah, she held tighter.

“I love your son more than anything in this world. Please bring him home to me.” Noah smiled down at the beautiful young woman, tucking her hair behind her ear. He thanked God every day he didn’t have daughters, but now he realized that this would soon be his daughter.

“And my son loves you more than anything in this world. I will bring him home to you, Caroline, and you two will make me a grandfather.”

“I promise,” she laughed, nodding at him. “Thank you, Uncle Tailor, Uncle Alec.”

“You’re welcome, beautiful.” They didn’t move until the lights of the plane had disappeared into the dawn sky. Turning, they realized they had no transportation back to the city.

“Well, damn. Now what do we do?” asked Tailor. Noah pointed to a tiny, rusted pickup truck with a ‘for-sale’ sign on it. Shrugging, they all walked toward the office, laid down the cash, then folded themselves inside the vehicle.

“This cannot be made for humans,” said Noah. Alec and Tailor laughed, shaking their heads.

“It is. Just not humans like us.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Any issues?” asked Rush as they walked back into the suite. Alec smirked at him.

“Well, a few boys in a car that thought they’d have some fun, but they didn’t.” Rush continued to look at him, waiting with anticipation. “Brother, she’s on her way home. Safe and sound. I promise. We wouldn’t have returned without her being safe or in our arms.”

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