Something to Die For by Kaye Blue

Fourteen

Lucas

She was serious,the shift from the laughter we had shared moments ago stark but also understandable.

I knew the intention behind her words, knew that if something happened to me, she would be in a terrible position.

But still…hearing her words, even though I knew they didn’t come from a place of genuine concern, had an effect on me.

A fact I didn’t like, but one that I couldn’t deny.

“We all gotta die sometime, Doc, but I’ll make sure it’s not today,” I said.

She nodded curtly then looked away, and though I missed her eyes on me, I was grateful for the break in the tension.

True was, I wanted to take care of her, make sure she was okay. Stupid, because I didn’t have time, space, to want things, not when I wasn’t sure I would see another day. But I did, and I would do everything in my power to stay alive.

To make sure she was okay.

It wouldn’t be easy.

Merlin was the consummate opportunist, and his plan was madness. I knew he was well supplied, yet he was risking men and resources that he didn’t have to. I’d asked questions, and he didn’t know how well-fortified the base was, what kind of resistance he might meet.

Before I’d seen Angel, I’d had a plan in mind. Maybe I could convince Merlin to let me handle this, but if not, it would be easy enough to slip away while he and his men were distracted.

But now…

I glanced back at Angel one last time, silently reaffirming my promise. I left the outbuilding and looked at the man who had been posted on her door.

He didn’t speak, and I didn’t either, but my message was clear. If any harm came to her, I would take it out on him.

As confident as I could be that Angel would be okay, I headed to Merlin and the six guys he was bringing with us, surprisingly unbothered by the fact that I still wasn’t wearing shoes.

We were in three trucks, the extra space in case Merlin hit the mother lode.

“We went through the plan again and incorporated some of your suggestions,” Merlin said.

“Good. And your remembered what I said?” I asked.

“Yeah. This isn’t a battle; it’s a robbery. Smash and grab, in and out. Easy.”

Merlin parroted the words I’d said, and I nodded, trepidation burning at the edge of my brain.

Smash and grab, in and out.

Easy.

Somehow, I knew it wouldn’t be that simple.