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The four of us went back downstairs and packed the car. This time, I didn’t make any jokes about it.
“Are you sure they’re going to be okay?” I asked Emory as my dad finished putting Mason into his car seat.
“I promise,” he said. “Cooper or someone else will be here twenty-four seven until this is over.”
“Where was Cooper this time?”
“He was sweeping the area. He would have been here if I hadn’t been.”
I nodded. “I’m afraid, Emory.”
“I know, but you’re with me.” He grinned. “No terrorist motherfucker is going to touch you while I’m around.”
My parents finished getting us packed and turned toward us. I could feel tears pressing at my throat, so I just threw my arms around my dad and hugged him.
“I’ll see you soon, sweetie,” he said.
I nodded and moved to my mom, hugging her.
When I was finished, they moved away from the car. I could see the fear in their eyes, but I couldn’t let it get to me. I couldn’t stop, couldn’t slow down.
I’d seen what could happen to us. I’d seen what Emory had had to do as he ran the knife across that man’s throat.
We got into the car, he roared the engine to life, and we sped off.
14
Emory
As I drove back toward the hotel, my adrenaline seethed through my veins, lighting me on fire.
I kept seeing my blade running across that fucking scumbag’s throat in my mind’s eye again and again. He could have done some serious fucking damage with that rifle, but I was better, faster. The men had training—I was sure of that now—but not enough.
I wasn’t sure how they got in. But as soon as I heard the distinctive click of an ammo clip being shoved into a rifle’s body, I knew what was happening. I’d moved downstairs fast, sneaking through their sight lines, and taken them off one by one.
And the damn girl didn’t stay in the nursery like I told her to. That made me angry that she’d put herself in danger. She almost got herself killed, but fortunately I got the drop on that guy.
She saw the truth though. She saw what was really happening, and she couldn’t deny it anymore.
The Network was here, and they were fucking serious.
I headed back toward the hotel. I could see the exhaustion rolling off Tara’s body.
“We’re going to stay at the hotel for today,” I said. “We’ll leave tonight.”
“What? Why?”
“They’ll expect us to leave soon,” I said. “We’re going to throw them off our trail. Travis is already running counter-surveillance for us, so hopefully he can trip Omar enough that we can get away cleanly.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we’re going to hold tight and make a run for it when it gets dark out.”
“Okay,” she said softly. “You’re the expert here.”
We were silent for a few minutes as I drove fast back toward the parking lot. I pulled in and found a spot near the back of the lot, close to the emergency exit. I killed the engine and turned to her.
“I need to say something.”
“Okay.” Her mouth was slightly open, and she looked so fucking sexy.
“You need to listen to me,” I said. “From now on. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to hide, you hide. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said. “I will.”
“Good.” I opened my door. “Come on. Bring only what you need for the next few hours.”
She got out and grabbed Mason and a single bag. I took the bag and Mason from her, and we headed back inside.
I couldn’t begin to guess what was happening inside her head. She’d just witnessed three men getting killed, which wasn’t something many people saw in their life. At least Mason wasn’t old enough to ever remember any of this.
We got inside the hotel and up to the room. I unlocked it and we went inside.
The place was just as I left it. I’d doubted that Omar would make a move on the hotel room, and I was right. I placed Mason down still in his car seat on the couch and looked at Tara.
“Come on,” I said. “You should have a drink.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m still on edge.”
“It’ll calm you down.” I went over to the bar and poured two glasses of whisky. “Drink.”
She took it and sipped and then made a face. “I’m not a fan.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I knocked mine back. “Drink.”
She drank it and shook her head, making a face. “Ugh, man, that’s gross.”
“You get used to it.”
“Not sure I want to.” She handed me the glass. I put hers down and poured myself another.
