Maybe they're not dumb as rocks. They took their time and studied Cedric and his behavior, studied his life enough to threaten him so why wouldn't they surprise me.
“I protect my family.”
“Seems like you’re doing agreatjob of that. Too bad you’ll orphan your nephew again. Might have to stay withgrandpa.”Tavers laughs out.
I force myself to stand but am knocked back down, “You fucking touch my nephew and I’ll kill you myself, you bastard.”
He lowers himself to my face, “Too bad you’ll be dead by then.”
Benny gets a call on his phone, I couldn’t make out what he was saying, Tavers leaves me.
Cedric stirs in my lap, finally waking up fully. His eyes blink as he shakes his head, shaking off the possible buzz feeling I know I had. He hoists himself up, scooting next to me.
“Lottie.”
“Hey,” my face twists trying to keep a calm, peaceful appearance.
“I got us in this situation,” he says solemnly.
“You couldn’t have known that they would be waiting for us, ready to strike,” I tried to console him.
“I should have come to you when they first came to me. Outcomes would have been better,” he nudges me.
We live in a world with a lot of maybes and could haves, but sometimes it’s the blessing in disguise that outshines. I don’t know where Keola and I would have been if not for me obsessing over the kids and Cedric, maybe it would have taken longer for us to come to terms.
“We’re going to get out of here. That I can promise,” it’s a loose promise, but something I believe in.
Benny clears his throat, “Prez, we have to move now. Wolves are coming.”
See I knew they would come. Come get us Keola.
“Well then, Ms. Ashers, looks like it’s time,” Tavers turns, signaling the folks behind us to lift us to our feet. “I’m going to leave you in the capable hands of someone that you might be familiar with.” Tavers and Benny leave, the cowards that can’t even follow through with a task.
With a man behind each of us, holding us, Cedric and I try to pull away. I just need a few more moments, hoping that I can bid my time.
But fate may have another course for me. As Tavers and Benny leave, a new person comes in their stead.Xander.
It would appear he’s walking, somewhat. He limps in, with a cruel smile on his face. Maybe Keola should have killed him when he had the chance.
“I guess it would be my lucky day,” he says waving the gun around. “We have the bitch and the rat.”
“Xander, looks like you recovered poorly. What, you couldn’t stay on bed rest?” I joke.
“For someone who’s about to die, they're awfully mouthy.”
The guys behind us tighten their grip on us. I just had to hold off a little bit longer. “I would hate to see you end up in a grave Xander.”
“I don't think so. See this all could have been avoided.”
“Yeah, that's what they say.”
“You're not going to beg for your life?” he asks, wanting more entertainment.
I shake my head, “Why would I beg for my life when I know in the end it's not me who's going to be on the ground covered in blood?”
Cedric looks at me softly saying, “ What the hell are you doing? You trying to piss him off even more?”
“Trust me,” I coached him.
