“Decide now!” Uncle roars.
I remember the last time I hesitated on a job. If I don’t accept this, Cross will find my brother or mother and hurt them. Maybe even Jillian. There’s no time to think things through in my world; you have to be able to think on your toes and roll with the punches.
“Dude,” Felix whispers behind me. “Just take the fucking deal.”
“Who’s the deputy?” I ask on an exhale. It’s a guy, so I know it’s not Jillian.
“It isn’t a deputy… It’s a Lieutenant.”
JILLIAN
Heading back to the department, my stepdad seems off. He’s really stiff, and his forehead is sweating profusely.
He checks his phone, and looks over his shoulder.
Now, I’m worried.
“What’s going on?”
“What?” His head snaps my way, confusion on his face.
“I said, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, just not feeling well.”
“5Paul55.”
“Shit!” he curses, grabbing the radio attached to his shoulder.
“5Paul55.”
“5Paul55, got a call about a disturbance on Old Highway Seven. Mile marker 127.”
My dad bites his bottom lip, his hand rubbing his chin.
“Dad, you going to take that or what?” I try to snap him from whatever trance he’s in.
He inhales, and closes his eyes.
“5paul55, copy that. En route.”
Quickly, he turns the wheel, taking us onto the side road leading away from the city.
“It’s Lieutenant Oaks, Deputy,” he schools.
I smirk. There’s the brooding man I know.
I watch the mile markers one by one until we hit 127. Realizing there’s nobody here, I say, “Huh. I guess whoever it was is gone now.”
“Guess so,” Lieutenant Oaks mutters, stopping the car.
“Use the spotlight, look out into the desert.”
“No. Whatever was here is gone. Now, let’s get to the department before any more calls come in.”
Before he puts the car in reverse, headlights beam from across the way, shining right into my windshield.
Raising my arm to shield my eyes, I try to look past the light but can’t see a damn thing.
Lights flare at my dad’s side of the car, too, and he curses a prayer.
“Do you hear that?” I ask nervously. He stills, trying to hear what I am.
The sound of thunder, or a sequence of rumbles from afar.
“Jillian, I need you to stay in this car. Do you understand?”
My heartbeat stammers in my chest, fear running down my back.
“Why?”
The sound gets louder, and a bunch of tiny little lights shine our way from the road. There are a bunch of motorcycles heading our way.
“Just do what I ask.”
“I’m not going to just stay in the car!” I shout.
He turns and palms my cheek. “Jilly Bean, I want you to know I love you. I know I don’t say it much, but I do. When you came into our department, I hoped a new leaf would turn for our workforce. I want you to promise me you’ll keep that spitfire that burns so bright inside you.”
My eyes prick with tears, my fear escalating to the point I may hyperventilate.
“Why? What’s going to happen?” My mouth trembles, tears springing from my eyes.
“Promise me!” His tone is on the verge of pleading. All I can do is nod.
Movement catches my eyes. Looking out the windshield, there is a man in an expensive-looking suit, another man a little shorter standing next to him. But what catches my attention are the rest of the guys standing beside him wearing leather vests.
The man in the suit holds out his arm, his hand in a ‘come here’ motion.
“You get out of this car, they will kill you!” I cry at my father.
“If I don’t get out, they will come get me, and find you.” He pats my head and steps out of the car.
I want to scream, want to get out of the car, but I’m frozen to the seat.
My stepdad walks around the car, his hand on his gun.
They’re talking but I can’t hear them, so I roll the window down some.
“Frank, what seems to be the problem?”
Frank snaps his fingers, and Felix and Zeek step out of the crowd. My eyes widen, my hands gripping the dashboard without mercy. Zeek has that look, the one of a monster, his eyes gleaming like a wild animal caught in the headlights. His body is puffed out in anger, his eyes hollow and emotionless.
Before my dad has time to react, Zeek plows his fist into his gut.
I can’t help the scream that escapes my mouth. I grip the door handle to get out, but remember my dad making me promise I’d stay here.
I can’t help him.
There are two of us, and at least a dozen of them.
Grabbing the walkie, I call for backup.
“5paul69, open all lines. Officer down. Send backup to Old Highway Seven, mile marker 127!” I nearly scream the words I’m so worked-up.
The radio does a weird sound before the dispatcher repeats my call. Seeing how we’re so far out, it will take them forever to get here.
Zeek and Felix step back, and Frank steps forward, the short little guy I don’t know following closely behind him.
“I’m sorry it’s come to this, Lieutenant Oaks, but I’m afraid you’re a lesson that needs to be taught.”