“Yeah. Ben was at Pearl’s when I got there. He was hounding her about where Emma was. He was really torn up. Knew something was wrong but no one knew anything. He wouldn’t leave until I told him what I knew. He left with Fred and they were headed to Arkansas just as Catherine and I were headed here. I told them someone may be there, watching them. They are gonna tell y’all’s folks that we’re picking you up.”
I nod, biting my lip so I won’t cry and say a silent prayer that nothing bad happens to any of them. “I’m so sorry to put everyone in so much danger. If it wasn’t for me, you all would be safe and sound back home.”
Catherine reaches across the table and squeezes my hands. “You didn’t ask for this, either. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
I squeeze her hands back and say, “We can’t stay here. Ethan needs to be checked out by a doctor, but we need to get out of New Orleans first. He can explain everything in the car.”
Ethan looks like he’s about to pass out. This was too soon to move him.
Once we’re out of the booth, he leans on me more than he probably realizes.
Will holds him up on his other side. “We’re parked around the corner. Luckily, we got here before the crowd.”
“Yeah, what’s with all the people? Is it a weekend?” Teeny asks.
Will answers, “It’s Friday night. Dude in the club told us it’s the St. Joseph’s Day Parade tomorrow afternoon. They’ll throw a damn parade for anything down here.”
I spot Will’s Explorer up ahead as I scan the street for Mateo. The crowd works for us because it’s easy to blend right in with the different groups of people meandering through the Quarter. After half a block, Will is almost entirely holding Ethan up. Seeing him like this, I know I’m making the right decision.
It takes forever to get Ethan in the third row of the vehicle but somehow Will and I manage it.
Ethan grabs Will by the sleeve just before he turns to get out of the car and says, “Man, you’re a good friend. I owe you.”
“You know I love getting your ass out of trouble. You’re gonna owe me for the rest of your life for this one.” Will lets out a loud cackle, then jumps out of the car.
There are some extra hunting coats in the very back and I use those as pillows, stuffing them around Ethan until he finds a spot he’s comfortable in.
I’m crouched on the floorboard beside him and I take his hand, bringing it to my mouth so I can kiss his bruised knuckles.
“Are you going to be okay to ride like this?” I ask.
He smiles and says, “It will be a helluva lot better than the ride down here.” His eyes start to droop. It will only be seconds before he’s out.
I lean in close and kiss him softly on the lips. He’s out before I pull away. My head stays bent toward him until my eyes feel dry. Now it’s time for the ugly part.
I hop out of the SUV. “Um, I gotta run to the bathroom before we get on the road,” I say to the group then turn to Will. “Can I talk to you first?”
“Sure.”
We step away from the SUV and he asks, “What’s wrong?”
“I have to do something and I can’t do it unless you agree to help me.”
His brow creases and I can tell he isn’t looking forward to what I’m about to say. “I’m not gonna like it am I?”
“No. But you have to agree.”
“What is it?”
I take a deep breath. This is the hardest thing I’ll ever do but it has to be done. “I’m staying here. To finish this.”
Will starts to interrupt me but I hold up my hand to stop him. Will is one of the few people who knows everything that happened to Ethan and me in Arizona. “Just listen. Ethan is hurt. He needs a doctor. And Teeny has no business being anywhere near this. This is the only way. It will be better if all of you are as far away from here as possible.”
“I’m not leaving you here. Not only are you my friend, but Ethan will hate me for the rest of my life.”
“Ethan almost got killed, Will. Dead. I want you to get him out of town, get him to a hospital or a doctor or something. Thomas has someone watching my mom. Call Fred and tell him to tell Dad she’s not safe. If I don’t go back, he’s going to hurt her. I had to make a deal so Ethan and Teeny could be safe.”
Will shoves his hands in his pockets and turns in small circles, muttering to himself.
