“A black and white discovered two men tied up at the edge of the road. They’d been hidden, but one had rolled his way onto the tarmac. Fuck, they were the paramedics. Whoever drove Chey away wasn’t them,” Gold pointed out.
“You're telling me Higgins hijacked the ambo?” Celt asked incredulously.
“That’s what shit looks like. The EMTs said a man waved them down and shoved a gun in their faces,” Gold explained.
“Hold on, if Higgins were here and took Chey, we’d have recognised him,” Celt interrupted.
“No, the paramedics picked Chey up. They were genuine. They got stopped half a mile down the road and hijacked. Risky shit to do because of all the police presence,” Gold replied.
“Nah, cops would drive straight past an ambo and pay no attention. But they’d mark any other car. It was a fuckin’ brilliant plan and one we fell for. Fuck, we got played,” Lio argued.
“So, where the fuck is Mom?” Jesse demanded, his face paling as he grasped the implications of what everyone was saying. “They’re not gonna demand a ransom, are they?”
“No, Jesse, they ain’t,” Celt said, feeling his stomach tighten. Chey was out there and alone. She couldn’t defend herself. Shit was going to hit the fan.
Chapter Nine.
How did I end up here? The thought crossed my mind as I watched the ranting lunatic pace back and forth. Every so often, Higgins kicked the body on the ground. Somehow, I guessed Higgins meant to blame this on me as well. Stupid bastard. Higgins’ glare turned to me, and my stomach clenched in fear. This wouldn’t be good.
Eighteen hours ago.
“Kid, if you don’t get your ass in the car, I’m leaving without you!” I yelled up the stairs at Jesse. Jesse stood at the top, grinning madly.
“Yeah, alright, Mom, who’ll push you?”
“Er, I’ll wheel myself, brat, come on before we’re late. Lord knows why the hospital had to change the appointment. But hey ho.”
“Mom, I just needed a cap. I’m ready now,” Jesse teased and slid down the banister on the stairs. The look on Jesse’s face as he landed on his feet like a cat made me smile inwardly. Jesse was about testing boundaries nowadays. Jesse grabbed the chair and spun me in a circle while I shrieked and shoved the wheelchair down the ramp that had been fitted. A few moments later, the two guards and Jesse had settled me into the car, and we were off down the driveway.
Five minutes into the journey, Jesse and I were arguing about the correct way to ask a woman out. Believe me, ‘girl, are you a parking ticket because you have fine written all over you?’ Or ‘were you raised on a farm because you sure know how to raise a cock’; are NOT good chat up lines. Despite what Jesse thought. I would love to learn where Jesse got them from, although I’d never admit they were funny.
The guard let out an oath and suddenly steered the motor into the oncoming lane and swore again. The car hit something, and Jesse and I swapped concerned glances as the driver slowed while the first man pulled his weapon. Worried, I reached out and grabbed Jesse’s neck and yanked his head into my lap. As best as I could, I hunched over Jesse and stared wide-eyed out of the window. The vehicle crawled to a stop, and both guards were alert.
“Cheyenne, I’ve hit the alarm,” the guard said.
“Be ready. Those spikes were meant for us,” the driver announced, and those were the last words he spoke as his skull exploded into a red mist. A scream left my mouth, and I made sure Jesse’s eyes were covered.
“Miss Markham, I can’t see the assailant, and we’re in trouble. I will do my best,” the remaining man responded, and I nodded.
“Jesse, you need to be prepared to run. If this is Higgins or Tobias, we cannot let them get you,” I ordered, tilting Jesse’s head so he could look at me. Horror crossed Jesse’s face, and I felt something sticky on my skin. No doubt, it was blood.
“Mom, I’m not leaving,” Jesse instantly denied.
“There is no other choice, Jesse. I can’t run, and if they capture you, they’ll have leverage over me and the band.” Stubbornness flared in Jesse’s eyes.
“Ain’t running, Mom,” Jesse repeated.
“Jesse, do as you’re told and hide. Jesse, if they take you, I can’t fight the scum. They will hurt you to make me do unsavoury things. If they don’t have you to harm, I can resist them, but if you’re in danger, I’ll always do what they wish.”
“Mom, fleeing makes me a coward.”
“No, it means you’re brave for taking the harder path. Whoever this is might even kill you, and I wouldn’t cope with that. As soon as I say run, Jesse head into the trees. Wait for help to arrive. The alarm has been hit, and rescue is coming.” I jumped as the guy in front began shooting, with bullets being returned, and a horrible gurgle echoed throughout the car.
“Go, now,” the guard said, his last words sounding like they were drowning in blood. Jesse hesitated before I shoved him to the side, and then Jesse took to his feet and fled. Outside, a man cursed, and a shadow ran past the motorcar. I flinched as the figure launched into the trees on Jesse’s tail and dragged myself across to lock the doors.
“Did security press the alarm?” a curious voice asked, and I stared into the crazed eyes of Tobias. Shit, that meant Higgins was chasing Jesse, and Higgins was the more dangerous.
“Help is on the way. They’ll be three minutes. Run Tobias,” I warned, flinching away as he reached out and stroked my face.