Chapter 13 - Lily
Lily
The road straightened, and another fallen tree blocked it.
“They’re chopping them down.” I covered my mouth. “Why would anyone do that?”
“Four targets,” Dean said rather than answer. “Empty vehicle at nine o’clock.” He slowed the truck and put it in park. “I bet they ran out of fuel. Looking for a mark.”
All four men wore plaid shirts, dirty jeans, and sweat-stained trucker hats. Gray hair poked out from the bottom of one, while dark blond spilled from the other three. One paused his work and leaned on an ax. The others stared at us.
“We should go. Can’t you turn around?”
Dean’s eyes gleamed. “Nope, that shotgun is mine. I’m taking it.”
The oldest wore a false grin as he beckoned us out of the truck. We didn’t move.
“They could have more than one gun,” I said, and swallowed the knot forming in my stomach. “It could be in their car or hiding in the grass.”
“It doesn’t matter. Open fields on either side of us, so we know they don’t have reinforcements. It’s just those four. Here’s what we do. I get out of this vehicle, and you don’t. You stay unless you hear the words from my lips. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“They’ll be friendly, with a sob story about running out of fuel and desperate wives at home. Once the firearm is in my hands, you move to the driver’s seat.”
“Got it.”
“Good. Once I’m secured, you drive full speed.”
“Drive full speed,” I said, and Dean nodded his approval.
He opened the truck door and waved a second time. “You look like you need help.”
The older man and the one with the shotgun approached him.
Dean’s mouth hung open with mock confusion before he took a few steps towards them, gesturing at me with his thumb. He raised his hands in the air.
The older man spoke as Dean glanced at me, backed up, and shook his head. Their overlapping voices grew louder.
Dean shrugged and caught my stare with a sharp nod before his arms flashed, turning him into a frenzied blur with the shotgun in his hands.
I gasped with shock and more than a little pride before moving to the driver’s seat.
The man holding the axe roared and charged toward Dean.
Dean leveled the shotgun, yelling, “One more step, and I’ll kill you. Please let me. I’m begging you.”
All four raised their hands and didn’t move.
Dean stepped back until he stood beside my door. I moved the truck into gear, waiting.
The four men watched him with matching expressions of frustration and shock. I understood now why he wore the clothes he did. They hid a man always ready to fight, and he fought for me.
Dean jumped and landed in the truck bed. I took that as his signal, pressed my foot on the throttle, and aimed for the middle of the road.
We flew past all four men. One chased us.
My heart’s loud beats drowned out the truck engine. I fought back dizziness from my shallow breathing. Giddiness entered and left, leaving me strangely calm and alert.
I lifted a hand off the wheel, curious. It shook.
Dean knocked on the rear window, and I slowed down to open it.
His wet body slid through and fell into the passenger seat. “Four rounds,” he said. “More than we had before.”
“What did they intend?” I asked, not sure I wanted to know.
“The usual. Kill me, take you, and enjoy their new truck. In that order.”
My stomach lurched. “Let’s hope they don’t find us.” I kept my grip on the wheel. “What’s next?”
“Can you stop for a second?”
I did as asked. “Why?”
Dean checked the rearview mirror. “They aren’t following. We’re safe. Do you want to switch places?”
I answered with a frantic shake of my head.
“Hey.” He took my hands off the steering wheel. “You’re shivering.”
“I’ve never seen you move like that before.”
Dean’s head jerked like I’d slapped him, before he paused and said, “What happened back there, and that guy I killed…you know I’d never do that to you, right?”
“I know. I know that. You don’t understand.” His hands still gripped mine. Calloused fingers, with their chipped nails, stroked up my arm. So much strength in him, and he used it for me. It was difficult to explain when I didn’t understand. “We make a great team.”
“We do. You did amazing.” His lips twitched like he wanted to say more.
I spoke first. “It’s not fair to make you always drive.” The late hour meant we stopped soon, and I was behind the wheel. “New rule. Whoever drives is in charge.”
The rain held steady with little wind. The earthquakes hadn’t damaged the asphalt, and the lowered embankments kept flooding at bay.
Amusement sounded in his voice. “How does this work with our partnership?”
“It’s compatible if you think about it.”
“Fair enough. Drive as much as you want.” Dean crossed his arms and moved the seat back to stretch his legs. “Have at it, temporary team leader.”
“I expected you to try and take back the driving.”
“I don’t try, sweetheart.”
That word again. I slowed the truck, searching for the ideal place.
Dean noticed. “What are you looking for?”
“You’ll see.” I pretended to button my lips and refused to answer. An eager fist bounced on my leg.
We passed several darkened houses, a few with smoke coming from their chimneys. All had vehicles in their driveways. An older man stared at us from his covered front porch while a large metal gate blocked access to one home.
I crossed my fingers as twilight blossomed.
“We need to stop soon,” Dean warned.
“A little longer.”
Another smokestack, then a pretty red brick house with an open and empty garage. Perfect.
I turned right, leaving the county road behind, and stopped in its backyard. “Look at me. I even thought of hiding from people. Be impressed.”
“What are we doing here?” He squinted at me.
“If we spend one more night trapped inside an itty-bitty car cabin, I will lose it. There’s no one here. Look at it.” I waved toward the darkened house. “We have candles and food. I’m spending the night indoors. Do you want to join me or not?”
Dean’s jaw tensed. “Let’s go inside.”