“Do you think it’s a trap?” Grim voiced what we were all thinking.
“Probably.” I replied with a glance in the mirrors. “This entire thing is worrying me.”
“It’s weird there are no vehicles in the driveway.” Maia mused. “What could it all mean?”
“It means, I’m going to take you two back home so you can get some rest.” I told them. “Then come back here to keep an eye on the place.”
“We’re not leaving you.” Grim told him. “Try another plan.”
“We can’t all be exhausted.” I turned to look at my friend. “It could be a while before we know what’s going on and at least two of us needs to be fresh.”
I could see they didn’t like the plan. All three, Grim, Maia and even Ellie were looking at me with the same disapproval. But though none of us was comfortable with the plan, it was one. Eventually, we agreed, and I brought the two back to Grim’s place.
“Be careful.” Maia hugged me.
“Don’t do anything stupid.” Grim told me.
I sighed.
“He won’t do anything stupid.” Ellie promised. “Because I’m staying.”
Grim and I fist bumped and we were on our way again. On the ride back, I tried figuring out a way to get into that building without it turning into a production. If they were hiding inside, waiting—I was determined to outlast them. Sooner or later someone had to leave that house. Either that, or I could smoke them out.
Once we were staking out the place again, I called Swede who decided to use satellite images of the place to see what happened in the hours prior to our arrival. Once he returned with his results, we realized there were people inside.
I sighed.
“What’s the plan now?” Ellie asked.
“Now?” I asked, tapping away at my phone. “Now we call for some backup.”
“Bunny and Xman?”
“They’re too far.” I told her. “Gonna see who the Protectors can spare, plus Maia and Grim. The problem is going to be waiting until they get here.”
Ellie seemed comfortable with my answer and turned her attention back to the building we were watching. Having her there was a bad idea. With the way had I had began feeling for her, having Ellie with me there was distraction. I never want her hurt—ever. I swallowed my thoughts and monitored my phone while ensuring no one left the house.
“Tarek?”
“Hmm?”
“Someone just peeked through the curtain.”
I leaned forward. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She replied irritable. “I could see the shape of the head and the light behind the person. Do you think they saw us?”
“Doubtful.” I tapped at my phone again checking to see where the others were. Just in case I was wrong, I didn’t want backup to be too far away.
Ellie grabbed my hand and pointed. “See?”
Someone was peeking out the side of the curtain, but they weren’t looking in our direction. It was then Grim’s truck passed ours and pulled off the road in front of us. Not long afterward, another truck eased in behind us. I didn’t recognize it. My hand automatically reached for my weapon until I saw the lumbering figure of Tate “Bare” Parker climbed from the passenger side. I relaxed and climbed from the front.
I stretched my back, offered Bear a hug then reached over to bump first with Kujo.
“Heard you could use some help,” Bear said. “What’s going on?”
“I think the house is being use as a hide out for Otis Valentina.” I explained.
