Page 94 of Night Moves
Wow!Had he gone to thinking about marriage? Not something he should fill his head with right now.
He drew his gun and checked the clip, then shoved the extra clips into his vest pockets. Next, he cleared his brain and envisioned the task ahead. They had no room for errors. A woman and three children depended on them to take the right actions. Their strike would be speedy, but also had to be precise.
“Where’s the best place to park?” Aiden asked.
“All the spots nearest the townhouse are reserved for owners,” Drake said.
“Visitor lot is just after the entrance,” Erik reported. “I don’t think we should park there though. Too long of a walk while wearing tactical vests and openly carrying. Might spook a neighbor who could try to intervene.”
“Agreed,” Drake said. “Go ahead and double park until the kids are out. Then move the vehicle to the lot, and I’ll let you know what we need from there.”
“Roger that.” Aiden turned into the lot and drove straight to the end of the main road where Natalie’s townhouse was located on a cul-de-sac.
“Only one way out,” Drake said. “Not a great situation for a fast getaway, but we’ll have to deal with it.”
They passed several units to arrive at the right address.
“Go time.” Aiden shifted into park.
Drake was out of the vehicle before it stopped rocking. He ran his gaze over the area, looking for people and at vehicles. No one about, and he didn’t recognize the cars.
He turned to his brothers. “Ready?”
Each of them nodded, and he set off, Erik behind him, Clay and Brendan taking up the rear. They stacked next to the window, and Drake peeked through the open curtains, where he saw Willow by the door that was cracked open. A sliver of light illuminated the room enough for Drake to make everything out. She had Curious George clutched to her chest. Sadie and Logan slept in the queen-sized bed.
Drake turned on his flashlight, and Willow spun. He pointed the beam to his face and gave her a thumbs up. She bolted across the room and slid the window open.
“It’s my mom. She’s gone crazy. She has a knife pointed at Natalie.” Willow’s words tumbled over each other in the rush to get out.
It felt as if someone was sitting on Drake’s chest, and he couldn’t breathe, but he had to hold it together for Natalie and these kids.
“Where are they?” he managed to get out.
“In the living room. Natalie’s sitting on the couch and Mom is standing by her. Yelling at her. I think she’s going to kill her.” Willow started crying.
“Okay, honey. Stand back. I’m going to cut the screen and come in.”
She complied and hugged George tightly to her chest. Anger raged in Drake’s body. This kid. This poor kid. She’d experienced too much. He dug out his pocket knife, sliced through the screen, and ripped the material free. Turning, he nodded at Erik then climbed into the room. He took Willow by the hand and got out of Erik’s way and knelt by her. “We’ll take care of this and everything will be fine.”
Willow threw herself at him, and he held her warm little body close. “It’ll be okay, honey. I promise.”
She leaned back. “Don’t kill my mom. Please.”
Oh, man. No child should have to say something like that? Sadly, he couldn’t make any promises.
“I’ll do my very best.” He forced a smile for her. “Clay and Brendan are right outside, and they’re going to take you and Sadie and Logan to our vehicle.”
“But we’re okay in here.” Her eyes narrowed. “Mom would never hurt us, would she?”
He honestly didn’t know, but wouldn’t tell her that. “If you go to the SUV, I won’t have to worry about you.”
She chewed on that lip. “Okay.”
“I need you to be brave and help with Logan and Sadie if they get scared. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded, but her lower lip trembled.
“Great. Go ahead and climb out and Clay will take your hand.” Drake stood and motioned for Erik to follow him. At the door he glanced back to be sure Willow was exiting. Clay reached in and lifted her over the sill then climbed in for the other kids.
