“Don’t you fucking touch her!” he yelled at the man. There was no panic in Luke’s voice-only malice. I knew if he touched me or even got too close that Luke would try to keep him away from me. I quickly jumped in the truck and locked the door. The man stared at me with cold eyes full of fury as he stepped away and walked back in front of Luke.
Shit. I had to do something. I could call Regg, but he was too far away. I fumbled around in the truck to find my phone to call 9-1-1. I’m not sure why I opened the glove compartment. Maybe my instincts were telling me there was something in there that would save us. Maybe I had watched one too many actions movies. Whatever the reason, I reached over and opened it to find an 9mm hand gun resting on top of the truck manual.
I was smart with guns. I had carried one for years after my parents died, because my father had forced me to take classes on how to protect myself. There were about twelve bikers outside the truck and I had ten bullets in the clip. Chances were, these bikers were carrying also, but as I looked through the back glass at the men surrounding Luke, I knew I had no choice. No one on the highway had bothered to stop. The few cars we did see kept right on going, paying no attention to what was happening around them. Our only chance was this gun.
I could easily put the truck in drive and leave Luke to fend for himself, but I was not that kind of woman. I loved this man and I knew if given the opportunity he would give his life for me. I didn’t know how things were going to play out when I stepped from the truck, but I sent up a quick prayer to God asking that this turned in my favor.
Holding a gun made me feel powerful. Even around all these grown men who could have had twenty guns to my one, I felt untouchable. I had tough skin for a reason and now was a damn good time to use it. No one seemed to acknowledge my presence until I flipped the safety and loaded one in the chamber of the gun. The sound was unmistakable and sounded like it came from miles away.
Perfecting my stance and with confidence I didn’t know I had, I pointed the gun to the head of the man in front of Luke. He was about ten feet away from me and I knew I could put a bullet through his skull without mistake.
“Let him go.” I announced, my voice coming out strong and clear.
“You even know how to use that thing sweetheart?” he asked me raising his hands and nodding his head to the guys to let Luke go.
“Would you like me to show you?” I asked him, never breaking eye contact and managing to keep my voice from wavering.
“No sugar I don’t,” he said smiling at me. Once the guys let go of Luke, he produced a gun from the small of his back and walked backwards towards me taking turns pointing it at different ones. By this time, everyone had their hands in the air.
“I’ll see you soon Frankie, but I think it is best if y’all leave right now,” Luke said his voice low, but still managing to carry over everyone there.
“You think you the only motherfucker with a gun Luke? Your Bonnie and Clyde show don’t fucking scare me!”
Ok now I was scared. I expected him to pull out a gun and kill us any minute. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was pounding so hard, I figured they could hear it, and that panicked feeling had settled into my stomach. Somehow, I managed to keep my composure.
“You know me well, Frankie. If you or one of your boys even think about pulling a gun, I’ll have a bullet in your fucking head and you know it. If I go down, you go down with me.”
Frankie seemed to think this over. “Let’s go,” he suddenly announced to the other guys and I couldn’t help jumping at the sound of his voice.
He gave me a smirk and then blew me a kiss. “I’ll be seeing you real soon sweetheart.”
“Now!” Luke barked. Within seconds the guys were back on their bikes and heading in the same direction they came from.
Luke quickly put his gun away and carefully grabbed the one from me. He led me to the truck and I got in. It was like I was in some sort of a trance. Did that really just fucking happen?
He left the door open, but went to the back of the truck to finish changing the tire. I kept my eyes and ears open for the sound of motorcycles, but all was clear except for the passing of a handful of cars.