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“Guys, I know it’s been weeks already, but I can’t get the image of her shaking out of my head, especially not now with all that's happening,” Rueben says, and my heart skips for a moment. What does he mean?
What's happening?
My brows furrow as I wait for them to speak, although a part of me already knows.
“We need to find a way to protect Amelia without giving the Flames of Hell bastards any reason to suspect us,” Tanner says in a strong voice as he takes his eyes off the cube for a while.
“Yes, but what do you suggest we do?” Josiah asks. The couch crunches beneath his weight as he leans forward and says, “If it were up to me, I would love to take out the guy who dared to cause her so much grief, but that might lead back to me and then to her. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for that.” A mix of anger and resentment is palpable in his voice. “They can't hurt her, guys. I swear I'll kill every last one of them.”
“They won't hurt her, because they won't find her,” Rueben says with confidence, but the others don't seem convinced.
“I get it, man, but these Flames of Hell bastards are asking for results. They're putting a lot of pressure on us,” Josiah states.
“We need to play this cool. We gotta be smart in our moves. Right now, we're two steps ahead, which gives us the upper hand.”
“So, we're supposed to chill?” Tanner asks.
“Yes. For now. Let's do all we can to keep their suspicions off us. It’s the only way to ensure her safety. We're in the search already, at least that's what they believe,” Rueben suggests.
“I suppose it’s a good thing that the men aren’t aware of her presence with us. It makes it easier for them to be serious with their search when we decide to go for it, and there’s no fear of anyone leading Flames of Hell to her,” Tanner says.
“Exactly,” Rueben concurs. “And trust me. The men are really looking, they're searching and sniffing every nook and cranny of the city.”
Tanner pulls himself off the wall and stands upright. He sighs heavily, stretching. His eyes have dark circles around them,like he hasn’t slept in quite a while, which is completely uncharacteristic of him considering how much effort he puts into his appearance.
“In the meantime, my inside man still sends me updates whenever I ask. We’ll know if they ever start to connect the dots and trace her back to us, although our tracks were successfully covered.”
“Good. I’ve received another message from them about our involvement in finding her. I’ll reply and let them know that we’ll be continuing with the search, and we will be sure to leave no stone unturned until she is found,” Rueben says.
Rueben exhales sharply, and I see worry flickering in his gaze, however subtle. “We can't let her get hurt. She has to be protected at all costs, and whoever gets in the way or so much as lays a finger on even a strand of hair on her head will have us to contend with.” It is clear and glaring in his black eyes that he is seeking comfort in the things he would do to those who would attempt to hurt me.
They look at each other and nod as he continues.
“This isn't a sense of responsibility anymore, is it?” Tanner asks.
Rueben looks up at the others. “Everything in me wants to protect her, to keep her safe.”
Josiah and Tanner smile and reply with one voice, “Yeah, we get it.”
“I care too much to let anything bad happen to her.” Rueben rises to his feet and sheaths his blade.
“Nothing bad is going to happen to her,” Josiah assures him.
“Not on our watch.” Tanner twists the Rubik's cube a couple of times and it clicks.
“Ha!” He laughs and turns to Josiah, who is staring in disbelief. “Pay up, buddy.” He stretches his hand out.
“What, like right now?” Josiah asks.
It looks like they had a bet about Tanner solving the puzzle. Now it seems Josiah has lost.
I laugh within myself, full of excitement and relief as their words prove that they actually do care about me.
Rueben chuckles at his friends as they start to argue about the amount they had agreed upon earlier.
“Rueben, come on. Settle this. Tell Josiah to pay up the money he owes me.”
Rueben says nothing.
