“So is trying to hide when it’s just a matter of time before Shane Lee finds us as well.This is not a tenable situation for the long term.This is an opportunity for me to take an active role instead of passively waiting for others to fix my problems.It’s a chance to take back some control.”
I hear her.
Fuck, I even agree with what she’s saying, but that doesn’t mean I have to like having her out in the open again, vulnerable to threats.ShanefuckingLee is still out there and hasn’t been accounted for, neither have God knows how many members in the Lotus Squad ranks.The danger is no less than it was before Ken Choi decided to finally do the right thing, and I really resent the fact he’s determined to put his sister in that vulnerable position once again.
“I want a chance to talk to him,’ Bess pleads.“Listen, this will likely be the last opportunity I have.You heard Mancuso, he’ll be in protective custody until he disappears into the witness protection program.I’ll never see him or talk to him again.He’s my blood.Myonlyblood.”
I can’t stand to see the tears glistening in her eyes, even as she fights hard to hold them off.Dropping my forehead to hers, I blow out a breath, releasing some of the tension in my body.
“You’re right,” I give in.“But we’re not running out there without a solid security plan in place for you.I don’t care if we have to hire added security to do it, but I’m not willing to take any chances.You’ll have to give me that.”
The grateful smile she beams up at me means a lot.But even more so do the words that follow.
“Then make your arrangements for my safety.I trust you implicitly.”
I sweep her up, branding myself on her in a fiery kiss.Then I grab her hand and lead the way back to the kitchen, where Savvy and Mancuso are patiently waiting.
Then I lay out my own demands.
“Ready?”
I glance over at Bess, who is almost unrecognizable wearing the slouchy beanie with unfamiliar blond waves draped over her shoulders, as well as a pair of bold-framed sunglasses hiding her expressive eyes.Bess already had the glasses, but the wig and beanie are courtesy of Phil, who apparently kept some accessories from her previous life as a rock star.
As for myself, I’ve tucked my flannel shirt in the waistband of my jeans, and am wearing Brant Colter’s beloved Stetson.He entrusts me with both the hat and his old Ford Bronco.
While Bess and I hiked along the creek up to the Colter place, Savvy and Mancuso stayed at the house to throw off anyone who may have followed them.Half an hour later, they returned to town to make sure security measures are in place at the hospital where Ken is still under guard.
Savvy had called ahead to let Brant and Phil know we were on our way.Initially, her father wanted to drive the Bronco with Bess and me hiding in the back seat, but Savvy nixed that, explaining for Bess and I to walk into the hospital unchecked, our best chance to do so would be in some kind of disguise, looking like we belonged.
Given that we’ll be driving the Bronco, it made sense to look like Brant and Phil.Not that we’d pass close scrutiny, but hopefully just enough for people to skim over us and not look too closely.
“Ready,” she confirms, sounding confident.
But when I grab her hand to give it a little squeeze, I find it clammy.
“It’ll be okay,” I try to assure her as I pull the vehicle out of Brant’s garage.
She flashes a smile.
“I know.It’s not that.I’m just worried about what to say to Ken.It’ll be the last thing he hears from my mouth, and I want it to mean something.”
My opinion—as strongly as I feel it—has no place here, so I keep my thoughts to myself.As far as I’m concerned, Ken Choi does not deserve any consideration.The guy is once again putting his sister in the crosshairs.But he’s not the only family I have.
No sooner do I turn onto the main drag into town, when a green pickup turns out of a driveway on the other side of the road.I watch in my rearview mirror as it tags on behind me.I can only make out a driver, a guy wearing a ball cap and a pair of reflective shades that make it hard to distinguish any features.
That didn’t take fucking long.
Letting go of Bess’s hand, I reach for the gun I have tucked under my thigh.Steering one-handed, I keep the weapon I have in my other hand on my lap.
“What’s happening?”Bess wants to know.
“Just being cautious, that’s all.”
Still, she jumps at the sound of my phone ringing from the cup holder where I tossed it.
“Could you get that for me?”I ask her.I don’t have any hands to spare.“Put it on speaker.”
“Relax,” Roy Battaglia’s voice comes through.I can hear he’s smiling.“You’re looking a little tense behind the wheel.”
