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“Ryder, I’ll start again. It’s going to take me about six hours to get to you. Do you remember the two gentlemen who accompanied us last time I was there?”
“The two suits?”
“Yes. Their names are Oliver and D’Andre. They’re going to come to you and will stay with you until I get there.”
“It’s really not necessary, Atlas. I’m okay, I promise.”
“You’re going to have to trust me when I do things to keep you safe. Do you need anything from Mr. and Mrs. Craig’s home?”
“No. I have my wallet and phone. I don’t have a cell phone charger, but I can get one tomorrow.”
“Oliver and D’Andre will be driving a black Cadillac Escalade and are on their way.” I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “I’m going to remain on the phone until I know they have you.”
“Okay.”
“How long have you been outside tonight?” he asked.
“Um, I think it was around nine thirty or a little later.”
“What are you wearing? Do you have a jacket?”
“I’m in jeans and a white t-shirt.”
“No jacket?”
“No!” I snapped. “I wasn’t planning on getting into a fight and being thrown out tonight. And he was waving around a knife, and I didn’t have time to grab a jacket.” I felt the shaking getting worse as I jumped down Atlas’ throat. It wasn’t his fault, and I had to knock it the fuck off. “I’m sorry.”
“Ryder.”
“I’m sorry, Atlas. I’m just not thinking before I say things tonight. I’m sorry.”
“Tell me about the knife.”
I closed my mouth as tightly as I could and leaned over my knees again. Though I felt like I should feel around on the back of my neck, my hand gravitated to my stomach. I wasn’t hungry but had what felt like hunger pains. I didn’t want to think about anything right now.
“Ryder?”
“Hmm?”
“Just wanted to make sure you’re still with me.”
“I am,” I mumbled.
“Are you cut anywhere?”
“Mhmm. It’s not bad, though. I’m not bleeding anymore. It’s dried and crusty and gross now.”
“Okay, we’ll get it cleaned up. There should be a black Escalade approaching. Oliver and D’Andre just went through the stoplight right before Orange Grove.”
“Okay,” I said as I stood so I’d be ready to get into the SUV. I looked toward a handful of headlights coming this way and spotted a black Escalade pull out of the lane into the emergency lane. “I think I see them.”
“They see you.”
“Where are they going to take me?”
“They’re going to take you back to D’Andre’s place and will stay with you until I get there.”
The SUV came to a stop in front of me, and the man in the passenger seat got out and opened the door to the back seat.
