“Not forever, though, Ron. My idea—we do a switch and let these two stay at different houses, switch the vehicles used, if that’s possible.Isthat possible, Ron?”
“Hey. I don’t want you all in danger. We…” I squeeze Kail’s hand. “…know it could be. It’s our choice.”
“Ours, too,” Esau says, head down, then he raises it and studies me. “I’m in. Like I said, reasons. Clay deserves retribution. As for this being dangerous, I don’t think he will act while we are near you. That man likes to hide his felonies behind a company wall.”
I wonder at Esau’s reasons, because something bad must have happened. I am not surprised. Clay is an a’hole of the highest order.
“So, one is the phone. Two.” Ron counts on his fingers. “Rotate houses and cars to avoid detection. And Kail’s clothes? A hoodie is an easy disguise we can use to throw them. We can loan the Laramies’ car to you and Kail. We’ve been keeping it in order and driving it once a week. You can stay with us, when needed.”
“Me too.”
“Me.”
“And me.” Esau, Melody, and Rasmus chip in.
“Plan three. I’ll look for signs of bodies coming in through the port,” Rasmus adds. “I’ll do some subtle fishing in the port admin’s toing and froing. Their website is full of holes. And trucks, too.”
“Long as it is subtle.” Ron nods. “You two can stay here, tonight, and we’ll drive your Chevy home. Arrange other accommodation as you need it.”
Holy cow. The plans they’re all making on the fly.
“Thank you.” Kail dips his head. “This sounds good.”
“Yes.” I smile up at him.
“Do we have a four?” Molly asks. “We done? We are?”
“I’ll go get my staple remover and kit.” Melody stands. “Just anywhere lower down, any stitches that need snipping, we won’t be doing those.” She actually blushes as she indicates Kail’s pants.
“That’s okay. Hailey can do those.”
Now I’m blushing. I cannot recall if any down there need removal. His cock? Ohmigod. Melody is not going there anyway.
“Hell, man.” Esau stands up too and stretches. “You need any pulled outta your ass, I can volunteer. Hailey don’t want that job.”
Kail chuckles. “Be careful there. I might say yes.”
“Mr. Esau Wrath, you are terrible.” I mock frown at him.
His belly laugh becomes a chorus as everyone starts laughing. It lights a soft glow in my chest, and I have to clamp down on my emotions or I will start tearing up.
Finally, I feel we have a chance of succeeding.
Kail goes behind me and wraps me up in a bear hug, then clasps his hands over mine at my waist. When I breathe, his arms move, as does his chin where he rests it on my head. Standing together like this feelsright.
“Thank you so much, all of you,” I tell them, and I pray I haven’t jinxed us by thinking we have a chance.
“Wait.” Esau turns as he’s heading out, following Melody. “Weapons. Do we make that a priority too?”
Kail flinches at those words, and his hold on my hands tightens until I gasp. A few seconds later, he relaxes. The tape on his finger rubs on my skin. He must have a wound under there.
“I don’t think so.” Molly has propped her walking stick against her chair and is shrugging on a sweater. “If you do that sort of thing, do it yourself. Individual choice. So as not to implicate all of us if”—she makes air quotes—“somethinghappens.”
“Meeting is done.” Ron claps his hands. “I’ll get your car keys and find you the ones to the Honda in the garage, and the house keys. What else, Moll?”
This is so sudden. “But I only just bought groceries that are in the fridge.” This had better be necessary. Surely, assassins can sneak in here as easily as my own house?
“There is that.” She points to me. “Food. If they order in takeout, it might be too much of a giveaway? I think the pantry has some canned goods. We could come back with those groceries?—”
