Page 42 of Vandal Unbound
“They got inside,” I force myself to say, and I point to the guys who have made it down the stairs. “They took something.”
“Fuck,” Havoc says, raising his gun at their retreating backs. He shoves me down behind his truck. “Sit tight.”
Burning with shame, I do as he says.
13
VANDAL
Daisy hasn’t returned any of my messages.
I know I should be focused on the whole thing Knox is talking about. The raid on the compound, how we’re lucky the injuries aren’t more severe, although I’m pretty sure North winced because the brother got a flesh wound across his thigh that needed some gnarly clean up and stitching.
But none of it is as important to me as the fact that Daisy hasn't once found the time to reply. I know she's probably struggling to reconcile what happened yesterday, but I really wish she'd reach out to me so that we can do it together.
I also want to tell her that I haven’t had a drink yet today, even though my skin itches and my head aches. If I’m not thinking about how Daisy hasn’t responded, I’m thinking about a drink.
I’ve had a glass close to my lips about twelve times.
Once I licked the surface of the liquor. Maybe that does count as a drink. But I poured the rest of it down the sink while cursing myself.
Knox has been on a tear since the water attack happened. He beat the shit out of the two sentries who were supposed to bewatching from the roof. One of them was a pretty solid prospect, the other a hangaround with an ability to distract. Neither of them was looking at the water when the boats arrived.
“North, Havoc, can the two of you stay back? Got some logistics I wanna discuss with you. The rest of you can go,” Knox says. I’ve no idea if I just gapped out and missed some important instruction for myself.
When I get to my phone, I see a missed call and a text from a few minutes earlier, both from Daisy. I check the voicemail first, just to hear her voice, and my heart tumbles in my chest as I listen.
“Vandal, hey it's me, Daisy. I'm really stuck and wondered if you could help by picking up Elsie, please.” I pat my cut to make sure I have my keys and wallet, then start walking out to the lot as she continues. “I know I haven't returned your messages, but I honestly don't know what to say. And I know it probably makes me a terrible person calling on you for help, but I don’t know who else to ask. My car has just broken down on the side of the road. I'm twenty minutes away from Elsie. She gets out of camp soon and I really need someone to go pick her up. I can call the camp and let them know if you're able while I stay and figure out what to do with the car. If you get this, could you call me back?”
Hell, yes, I can help.
I immediately dial her number.
“Vandal. Oh, thank God,” she says. “Did you get my message?”
I glance down at the text message.
Daisy:Hey, Vandal. Hate to ask. But I need some help.
“I did. Where are you?” I catch Ridge and Sunny heading to the garage and wave them over.
“I went to the wholesale club just off the highway. I’m going to see if I can get the car towed on some kind of monthly plan ifpossible, but I need someone to pick up Elsie, and Maren was in the middle of an airboat tour.”
“I’ve got Elsie. And sit tight. The club has a tow truck. We’ll come out and get your car. Sunny and Ridge are on their way.”
“Really?” she says, and there’s a mix of relief and surprise.
“Really. Pretty certain I’m always gonna come get you if you need me. Just send me your location and Elsie’s camp.”
She blows out a breath. “Thank you.”
“Let me go get Els. But stay back from the car in case anyone doesn’t see it parked. You don’t want to be in it if someone hits it.”
I hang up on Daisy just as Sunny and Ridge reach me. “Hey, can you two do me a favor? Daisy’s car broke down, and she needs a tow back to our garage. But she also needs me to go get Elsie from camp. Can you two deal with the truck and drop Daisy off at her apartment for me, please?”
Sunny nods. “Sure thing. Just tell us where we’re going.”
“Head out toward the highway, and I’ll text you her location.”
