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He patted his pockets and cursed. “It’s in the truck,” he answered a second before it sounded like the door was kicked open and we heard heavy footsteps. I put my finger to my mouth and he nodded.
My fingers finally found the edge of the emergency kit and I carefully eased it up between us. I flipped it open to reveal a gun and ammo, then switched the flashlight off in case any light seeped out around the bed.
The darkness was absolute and I had to close my eyes for a second so I wouldn’t hyperventilate. Breathe in, breathe out, I reminded myself internally. You practiced this. You knew what it was like.
I’d never practiced with someone crammed in next to me though, our bodies’ smooshed next to one another like sardines in a can.
Muffled voices drifted through the thin bed frame as panic threatened to set in. A tear squeezed through my tightly shut eyes and my fists were clenched in an effort not to claw my way out of the space.
A large hand covered my fist, one of Crew’s fingers tapping my wrist rhythmically. My breathing slowed and the panic started to ease with each tap of his finger. I managed to uncurl my fists, stretching my fingers out, as Crew continued tapping, never missing a beat.
“She’s not here.”
“No shit,” I flinched when I heard his voice. “She’ll be back. This is her rig.”
“We gonna stay till she comes back?”
“No, we are not going to stay. You are going to stay and detain her when she comes back. I am going to talk to the man in charge of this Podunk town.”
Footsteps moved away from the bed and I exhaled slowly. Crew moved so his mouth was next to my ear. “I can take one guy, gun or no gun.”
I nodded, willing to take the risk if it meant getting out of the tiny coffin I’d locked us in. Tires on gravel met our ears and I wriggled my hand to the lock, ready to throw the deadbolt until I heard the floor creak.
I froze and then the bed bounced above our heads, making both of us flinch. We heard the guy mutter, “Guess I’ll just take me a little nap until she comes home.” I flicked on the flashlight in time to see Crew’s eyes close in frustration.
“Oops,” I mouthed when he opened his eyes and he nodded, grimacing as he tried to shift his body slightly. There was no space though and he gave up.
A muffled snorting came from above and Crew stared at the top of our prison in irritated awe. “Is he snoring?”
I nodded, biting my lip in an effort to fight a semi hysterical laugh from bubbling up. “My hidey hole might have some flaws,” I mentioned, keeping my voice low and Crew nodded in agreement. I squirmed, uncomfortable, but there wasn’t an inch to spare. I stilled, gripping the flashlight and sighed. “I have to pee.”
Chapter Eleven
Noah
“You got it?”
“On my way to get it now.” I hung up on Johnny without a second thought, my fingers drumming restlessly against the steering wheel, only the knowledge that Cadence was safe with Crew keeping me calm.
I pulled into the driveway, parking the car in my usual spot. Please be wrong, I prayed, knowing I wasn’t.
I didn’t bother knocking and the door wasn’t locked. Mom came out of the kitchen, drying her hands with a dishtowel as she walked up to me.
“This is a surprise,” she cried, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Cadence isn’t with you?”
“Not today,” I answered roughly. “I’d rather her not know my reason for being here.”
“Noah,” Mom said softly, the happiness on her face disappearing as she realized the reason for my visit. “Don’t be –”
“I need the gun, Mom.” My words were stilted and I stiffened when she reached for my arm. My reaction caused her to hesitate for a moment, but she didn’t let it stop her.
She squeezed my arm. “We should talk.”
“I’m not in the mood,” I said shortly. “Right now, I just need Uncle Cal’s gun.”
She studied me for a second. “This is about Cadence.” I nodded tightly. “I’ll give you the gun.” Relief flowed through me at her confirmation, because it meant Cadence would be safe. But it also meant – “On one condition,” she continued. “You have to hear me out.”
“I don’t need your reasons, Mom,” I growled, irrationally upset with her. “Just give me what I need and I’ll go.”
“Watch your tone, mister, and yes…you do.” She turned and went back to the kitchen, leaving me standing in the hall, her point clear – I could stay and listen or leave empty-handed. It didn’t take me long to decide.
I walked around the kitchen table, and finally leaned against the refrigerator. “Sit down,” she told me, placing a plate of cookies on the table.
