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“Can I call my mom?” Goldie asked in a ragged voice after drinking from the thermos.
I unlocked the screen on my phone and exchanged my cell for the gun on her lap. Before she dialed, I explained how her people were on the way.
“Are you injured?” I asked.
“Yes. I hurt my ankle, and my head hurts.”
Goldie startled me by grabbing my jaw. “I don’t think I’m dying, but I’m not sure. I want to tell you something. If I live, pretend I never said anything.”
“I need to get you out of here.”
“Not yet,” she said and cradled my jaw. “I fell in love with you. It wasn’t my choice. You were too hot. I feel like you seduced me, and I was faultless. But I still love you, and I don’t want to die without you feeling the burden of my feelings.”
Her words made me smile. Not only because she felt the way I did, but she also felt weird about feeling the way I did. Love had never interested me. Now, I was trapped with this desperate need for this woman.
GOLDIE
Was I hallucinating? Could York really be in front of me? His bearded face felt familiar under my fingertips. I tried to move closer to him, craving reassurance as my vision blurred.
York claimed Dali and Jas were okay. He said none of my people had died. I was the only Crimson Guard member in danger, and he planned to bring me home.
At some point, I dialed Yarrow’s cell. She didn’t answer the unknown number, of course. I texted her instead.
She called me back immediately and snarled, “Tell me who to kill.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“Neither am I,” Yarrow said as her rage faded and fear filled her voice.
“I might need a few Band-Aids and a box of gauze, but I’m fine.”
“I have Band-Aids. Tell me where you are, and I’ll fix your problems.”
“I don’t know where I am, but I’m with someone safe. He’s taking me to the hospital. I’ll tell you where to go.”
“Why a hospital?”
“I want the most expensive Band-Aids and gauze.”
Yarrow startled me by bursting into loud sobs. Blackjack took the phone while my mom howled in panic in the background.
“Tell us where to go,” my dad said. “She won’t be okay until she knows you are.”
“I don’t know the answer,” I said and looked at York. “Help me answer them.”
York took the phone and turned down the sound before speaking. “We’re off exit 60. Clint’s flying here to get Goldie. He’ll likely take her back to Little Memphis. That’s where you should go.”
“Who are you?”
“York Lacroix. I’m with the Black Rainbow.”
“Why you?”
“I love him, Daddy,” I whimpered. “But Mom’s crying is making me feel weak and sad, so I need to hang up now.”
“Your mom will be fine once she sees you. Stay with York, and we’ll get you those Band-Aids.”
“I love you,” I said and smiled at how he repeated the words.
