“We have to go. Right now!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the porch.
He hung back and resisted the forward momentum. “I can’t leave. Pawpaw texted me to be ready for a trip, and I’m not done packing. What’s going on?”
“There’s no time to explain. We have to go right now, before Michael gets here.” He didn’t resist as she pulled him across the porch and down the steps toward her car.
Too late. Michael’s big truck pulled into the drive behind her vehicle, trapping her car in its place. She glanced around for a way of escape. They could try to run through the woods, but Michael knew this property and she didn’t.
He jumped out of the truck and charged at her with his fists clenched. Jimbo got out on the other side and fingered the gun in his belt holster as he ran toward her too.
Michael reached for Simon, but Savannah stepped between them. “Don’t touch him! Isn’t it bad enough that you killedJess?” She stepped forward and shoved him with both hands. “You are a monster!”
He reeled back at her unexpected attack but caught his balance and came back at her. “I didn’t want to hurt you out of respect for Jess, Savannah, but you’ve caused enough trouble.” His fist looped up and grazed her chin.
She avoided the worst of the blow and went at him again. “Respect? You killed her! You don’t have an ounce of love in your soul for anyone, not even your own daughter.” He wasn’t going to hurt Simon—she would give her life to save him. She leaped at Michael and began battering him with her fists. “Simon, run!”
Michael’s hands came up in a defensive movement, and she intensified her attack. She spared a glance at Simon, but he stayed frozen in place with his eyes wide. She redoubled her attack to keep Michael’s attention off Simon long enough for him to flee. Her hands hurt, but she landed blow after blow on Michael’s torso and arms as he shielded his face.
Strong hands grabbed her from behind and forced her arms to her sides. She smelled cigar smoke and bourbon on her captor and whipped around in place. She caught a glimpse of Jimbo’s enraged face. She fought to free her arms, but he was too strong.
Face red and lips twisted in a snarl, Michael straightened and marched toward her. “You’re a menace, Savannah. I should have gotten rid of you long ago.”
She quit her futile fight. “You killed her,” she whispered. “How could you, Michael? How could you? She adored you.”
His eyes narrowed and she didn’t see his fist come up until pain exploded on the left side of her face and the world went dark.
Michael ignored his stinging knuckles. Jimbo continued to hold the unconscious Savannah like a rag doll, an uncertain expression on his broad face. Michael picked up Savannah’s phone and key fob and hurled them into a patch of tall grass at the edge of his lawn. “Leave her. And get out of here. You’ve got a better chance of escaping on your own. Go through the woods, stay away from towns, and head for the border. If you make it to Reynosa, you’ll find help. Now go!”
Jimbo hesitated for a moment, then dropped Savannah’s limp form and loped off into the woods.
Simon still stood frozen, staring at his aunt. Michael stepped in front of Savannah. “Are you packed?”
Simon didn’t meet his gaze. “I-I’m not done.”
A siren wailed in the distance. Michael cursed under his breath. “There’s no time now. Get in the truck.”
Simon crouched by Savannah and touched her hand. “Aunt Savannah, wake up.” He sniffled when she didn’t answer.
Michael grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the Denali. “Get in the truck!”
Simon stumbled, caught his balance, and climbed into the passenger side of the cab as Michael jumped into the driver’s seat. As soon as they were in, Michael threwthe truck into Reverse and gunned the engine. The tires squealed as he backed out of the driveway, then put the truck in Drive and roared down the road in the opposite direction of the sirens he’d heard.
He looked in the rearview mirror just before he turned a corner that would take him out of sight of the house. No cops in view. They wouldn’t know which direction he’d gone or how far he’d gotten. That was a good start, but only a start. He’d need to ditch the Denali as soon as possible. He’d only had the truck for six months and he loved it, but he had no choice. Maybe he could steal something, or they might be able to hitch a ride with—
“Why did you hit Aunt Savannah?”
Michael glanced at Simon, who huddled against the door at the far edge of his seat. He watched Michael with alert, fearful eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see that. She was trying to take you away, and there was no time to argue.”
“Will she be okay?”
“Yes, she’ll wake up in a minute. She’ll be right as rain.”
“Where are we going?”
Michael forced a smile. “Oh, it’s a surprise! We’re going on a big adventure.” No need to give the boy details he might blurt out at a truck stop.
“Are we running from the police?”
“You’re a sharp kid, Simon. Yes, we are. It’s a big misunderstanding, though. We’ll sort it out when we reach someplace safe.”
