“Fuck! Maya would kick my ass if I left a mother and child out there to fend for themselves,” Bull says.
“Sadie too,” Rebel replies.
“We’ll reconvene this afternoon and make a decision,” Falcon states.
As we begin to leave the room, my phone buzzes with the sound of the alarm that’s connected to Remmi’s house. “Fuck!” I shout, then race out of the room and to my office, where I pull up the surveillance cameras of her cottage and workshop. Remmi is working at her pottery wheel in her workshop, completely oblivious to the three men approaching her house. Wolfie, lying at her feet, lifts his head. He senses danger. “Call the cops,” I tell the guys as I sprint to my truck. Bull is on my heels.
“I’m coming with you.” He jumps in beside me. I see that Rebel, Phoenix, and Falcon are tearing out of the parking lot after me.
Remmi
It feels good to have my hands in the clay. The whirl of the wheel, the texture of the clay, and watching a solid lump come to life soothe my soul. My fingers push inward to widen the mouth of the design. I haven’t quite figured out what this is going to be yet. I have a ton of orders to fill, and whatever I decide on will satisfy any of the retailers waiting for their next shipment.
Wolfie lies by my feet, content and happy, chewing on his toy. He’s already explored the shop but lost interest within minutes and settled down next to me. I get lost in my creations. I can spend hours working on one piece and forgetting the time. There are days when I come to the shop in the morning, and by the time I go home, the sun is setting.
Occasionally, my tummy reminds me to eat, but today, Wolfie gets to his feet and perks his ears, telling me he might need to go out. I’ve never had a dog before, so I’m learning as I go. Wolfie makes it easy for me. He nudges my hand when he wants a snuggle, taps his bowl for me to refill his water, and brings me his toy when he wants to play. Wire’s trained him well, and he is a sweet dog.
When Wolfie gets up and goes to the door, I assume he needs to go out to do his business. My hands are a mess. I walk over to the basin sink and wash up.
“Just a second, Wolfie,” I say. Wolfie turns his head but immediately trots back to the door. I clean up as quick as I can and go to let him out, but as soon as I reach for the lock, Wolfie jumps up and knocks my hand away with a sharp block.
I’m stunned, but he doesn’t stop there. He grips my smock with his teeth and begins to pull me away from the door. I resist at first.
“Wolfie, what’s wrong? Let go, boy,” I say softly. Then the house alarm begins to blare. I look out the small window of the door and see three figures running from the house. One of whom is coming in this direction, toward my shop.
I gasp loudly, frozen in place. Wolfie springs into action, literally knocking me off my feet. When my ass hits the floor, he gets in my face, forcing me to pay attention. He takes hold of my smock and tugs for me to follow him. I crawl along the floor to the farthest end of the room and wedge myself between the kiln and the brick wall.
The doorknob rattles. They’re trying to get in. My heart races, and there’s a throbbing in my ears. I reach into my pocket and feel for my phone.
“Wire!” I whisper loudly as soon as he picks up, his name coming out raw.
“I’m coming, baby. The police are on their way too. I’m two minutes out. Hold on for me,” Wire says. “Wolfie will protect you.” I hear another voice with him. I think it’s Bull.
“Do not move, Remmi,” Bull says.
A minute passes while I listen to the men outside walking the perimeter, trying to get inside. “They’re at the door.” I peer around the kiln. “There are three of them. They’re trying to get in.” My voice is frantic, but I can’t seem to calm down.
“We’re here!” Wire says. “Don’t leave the shop. I’m coming to you.” I hear his car door slam. I want to go to him, but when I begin to stand, Wolfie pulls me back down.
The shop door splits open under the tremendous force of their kicks. The alarm at the shop peals so loudly, it’s deafening. Two guys shove through the broken door.
I hear sirens outside. The police have arrived.
“Fuck! We’re screwed!” one says. “We’re going to jail.” He sounds as scared as I am.
“No way am I going back to juvie,” the other one says. “Not over a breaking and entry.”
“What’s your plan, hotshot?” the first guy snaps. “This was a stupid idea.”
“It’s a house in the middle of nowhere. A quick break-in and some easy cash and jewelry. Who the hell would think this place would be kitted out like this?” his friend counters.
I remain silent, praying to God that Wire finds me before they do. I can hear the two moving around the room, their footsteps getting closer. A shadow of one of the guys appears, and at the same time, Wire shouts, “Don’t fucking move.”
Wolfie hears his master and edges himself out of our hiding spot.
“You can’t shoot us both. You might get one of us. But you’re dead, either way,” one of them says. I’m a fool, but I can’t help myself. I peer out and see the two men, both holding guns aimed at Wire. I can’t sit here and do nothing. I get up and poke my head out.
“What’s it going to be?” one man says. “You let us out of here. We’re gone, and you’ll never see us again.”
