Page 29 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“I don’t understand.” Anger was forcing its way in and I couldn’t stop it. “I’ve been there for two months and not once have I seen any of you. Why the hell should I give you my time now?”

“If you knew what was going on, you wouldn’t be asking us that,” Palo snapped. “You’d be dead, or we would. Do you not think we haven’t discussed what’s best for you? We have, Father, probably a thousand times. But I’m telling you right now, it’s not that,” he said, pointing to Kit. “Ditch her and then we can start planning. Keeping her here puts all of us at risk.”

I felt Kit stiffen in my arms. She was shaking. Whether it was from the cold or fear, I wasn’t sure. Either way, I didn’t like it. My protectiveness over her flared and I didn’t mind letting it show as I eyed each of them.

“We’re going to eat breakfast. If you’re here when I get back, we’ll talk. If you’re not, that’s your call. But don’t tell me what to do concerning Kit. I think you know where I stand.”

Palo exhaled loudly, growling under his breath. “You’re missing the big picture, Chase. You’re a fucking target and the bullet is aimed right at your fucking head. You can either step out of the way or you can stand there like a fool. Right now, you’re standing, my friend. Step the fuck away. Save yourself, or at least let us try to help you.”

Kit’s hand dug into my sweater as she and the rest of the men waited for my response.

“If I’m the target, I say let them try. They failed once. The next time, I won’t be such easy prey. Do you think I’m so unprepared? It would take me less than three seconds to have my barrel pointed right at your face. You wouldn’t have time to speak, more or less breathe, before I ended your life.”

“Fucking, Chase—Men.” Palo stepped back as multiple guns rose, pointed in my direction. “What now, Father? Tell me how you get out of a situation like this? If you think only one person was responsible for what happened to you, you’re wrong.” He went on. “Did you know in the last three days, some truck has attempted to turn onto your road six different times? Do you want to know why you’re still breathing? Look around at the friends who have your back. In the church, you were safe. Alone, without us, you are not. With her…we still might not be able to protect you.”

Kit wiggled in my arms, trying to get down. “Are you saying my brother was the one who tried to kill Chase? Rory may be a thief, but he’s no murderer.”

“You so sure about that?” Palo asked, glaring. “I’m not.”

“Well you don’t—”

My hand clamped over her mouth and she shook her head to get away from it, but she stayed quiet.

“Enough. Kit needs to eat and I need coffee. You heard me before. Stay or go. It’s up to you.”

“If that’s an invitation, we’ll take it,” Palo said stubbornly. “I’m pretty hungry myself, being I pulled the last shift. Where we going?”

The need to argue was there, but he had a point. I couldn’t do this on my own. Not if I was met with more than one or two people. And these men could help me with Kit. Maybe they knew where I could hide her.

“Actually, maybe we should invest in a shopping trip. We can eat here while we plan.”

“Wait.” Panic edged into Kit’s voice and she became more forceful in her attempts to get down. “You’re still meeting with my brother, right? You’re going to let me go?”

While the men stared, I took a step closer to the door. “You were never going back, little one. We were just going to eat breakfast.”

“You lied to me?”

I spun back into the house as she tore into my sweater, trying to break my hold.

“How could you?”

Footsteps pounded behind me and I let her feet drop as I wrapped my arms around her chest to restrain the swinging.

“She stays. That’s nonnegotiable. If you can’t accept that, you know where the door is. We all know she’s not safe with Rory. If that makes him want to come after me even more, it’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

“I’m going back to Florida,” she yelled. “I’m leaving, I’ll be safe.”

“For how long? You’re finished with him. Permanently. The sooner you see that, the better off you’ll be. Now, enough.” I squeezed my arms, holding her tighter while she began to fight with more strength than I thought her capable of.

Palo rolled his eyes but pointed at the younger man who’d answered me earlier. “Ed, take Weston to the store with you. Buy enough groceries to last a few days. Dave, secure the house. Max,” he didn’t finish, just nodded his head. I couldn’t help but wrinkle my brow at the orders he threw out. Last night, I had thought myself on a higher level, but this man had another side, just like I’d noticed. And this was it. He could lead if he wanted, yet he looked up to me.

“Father.” Palo walked over, eyeing Kit before returning his gaze to mine. “What’s up with the girl? Amnesia or not, you’re not stupid. You’re actually damn smart. Smarter than this.”

“Smarter, how? It’s pretty fucking clear to me.” Kit eased, giving one last jerk in my arms. “She’s not safe around Rory, or in this town. She came to me because she witnessed a crime. One the law is involved with. She needs protection and I can give her that. Whether she likes it or not,” I ground out.

“What sort of crime?”

Banging had the three of us glancing at Dave as he pulled at one of the windows to make sure it was locked.

---