Something to Die For by Kaye Blue

Twenty-Four

Angel

I looked down at him,saw that his face was still, everything about him alert.

I pulled away from him as quickly and quietly as I could, then, moving in silent agreement, we both dressed.

It struck me that once again the moment had shifted, and that I had somehow let myself lose sight of the mortal danger that we were in.

I told myself I would not let that happen again.

As he left the bedroom, I reached out, grabbed his fingers.

“Go to the kitchen,” I whispered.

He didn’t say anything but headed toward kitchen, and I was right on his heels.

I kept my ears perked, focused on the sound that was coming from the side of the house, somewhere near the shed.

When Lucas reached the kitchen, I stepped around him and grabbed my father’s shotgun and a box of ammunition.

Lucas looked at it, looked at me, and then, after a moment, reached for it.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so eager to share or give away this protection, but I reminded myself that Lucas had kept his word so far and told myself I could rely on it now.

And the truth was, if he wanted to take the gun, or anything else, there was nothing I could do to stop him.

So better that he have it, if only because of my nerves alone.

“Sounds like it’s coming from the shed,” I whispered.

He nodded then looked down at the gun, feeding in the bullets, and then as quietly as he could, racking it.

He nodded quickly and headed toward the front door.

It struck me then that he didn’t seem any more dangerous with the weapon than he had without it.

Of course, Lucas had managed to seem dangerous when he was in shackles, so that shouldn’t have surprised me.

Still, I was once again grateful that he was there and focused on what might be ahead.

I grabbed my keys and my mother’s, just in case we needed to make a quick escape.

I hoped we wouldn’t, but if I had learned anything, it was that what I hoped and what would actually happen were two very different things.

Being prepared was always best.

He pulled open the door quickly, and my heart froze in my chest the instant he was no longer in sight. It was night, the darkness deep, though the moon and stars provided some reprieve.

I was both tense and relaxed, every part of me wired, not sure what to expect, trying to be prepared for anything. When I stepped out of the door, my gaze landed on Lucas, and then I looked out into the yard.

I didn’t see any sign of disturbance but still heard that noise coming from the shed.

I’d probably left it open, which was so stupid, but now wasn’t the time for recriminations.

Instead, I followed behind Lucas, moving as quietly as I could, every creak of the porch, the sound of our feet hitting the dirt, seeming to reverberate.

I listened to the clanking sound, trying not to let my imagination run wild. I also listened for another sound.

That moan, grunt, the sound that I had come to associate with them.

Lucas approached the shed quickly but cautiously, and when he reached the front door he froze.

I stood tense, not sure what I was expecting, wanting to be prepared for anything. He peeked in and then visibly relaxed. I didn’t know what he saw, but when he relaxed, so did I.

He disappeared into the shed, and a second later a cat ran out, slowing only enough to hiss at me before disappearing into the orchard.

“He got stuck,” Lucas said.

He stepped out of the shed, the shotgun still in his hand, but not at the ready.

“That’s all that was in there?” I said, asking about those things without asking.

He nodded. “That’s all.

He pushed the door closed, and I put the padlock back on and locked it.

We both looked around as we made our way back to the house, and once we were inside, I closed and locked the door.

That had been close.

Too close.

And even though we were safe, at least for the moment, I knew it wouldn’t last.

I looked at Lucas, who had leaned against the doorframe, his tall, thick body attracting my attention, though I refused to be lulled by it again.

Instead I focused my eyes on his.

“So what’s the plan?”