AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He hadn’t called her yet, because she was safe with her best friend Willa Mae in the city, hopefully still pleasantly buzzed from all the wine the women had consumed at book club. But he’d have to call her soon.
He dreaded it. Because she’d dreaded this for years.
Both of their worst nightmares had come true.
Gingerly, he took the flip phone from Manny, part of him wishing that Rocky Hebert had never found him all those years ago. If the man had stayed away, he might still be safe.
Then again, if the man had stayed away, Xavier would have been unaware that there was any danger. He would have been a lamb being led to slaughter.
He forced himself to focus on Manny’s phone screen. The text from Paul Lott was simple. Here. Where r u?
With friends. Which is your car?
The reply was immediate. White SUV. BMW. Parked under lamppost, C1.
On my way.
“He’s in the white Beemer SUV over there.” Xavier pointed to the sign for the C1 section of the H-E-B parking lot. It was a popular place and lots of people came and went. Way better than waiting somewhere isolated.
“You ready, cuate?” Carlos murmured.
Xavier’s throat grew tight at the nickname. Some brother I am, dragging Carlos into this. “No. But Lott came like he promised. Hopefully he’ll be able to help. Or at least give me legal advice.”
Carlos rolled his head, making his neck crack. His friend hadn’t slept much, either. “Let’s go, then. Manny, you gonna keep watch?”
“Absolutely. And do not get in his car until I meet him. Got it?”
Again, totally fair and very smart. “Got it,” Xavier promised. Because this wasn’t Carlos’s problem, and he didn’t want his best friend to be hurt. Or worse.
Manny started his old junker, the engine coughing and wheezing and knocking before it finally turned over.
They rolled to a stop next to the white BMW and Xavier held his breath while a middle-aged white man exited the vehicle, standing tall, if tired.
“That must be him,” Xavier whispered.
Carlos got out first. “Mr. Lott? Can I see your ID?”
Manny snorted. “He should be a cop instead of an engineer.”
Xavier smiled weakly. “He really should. Thanks, Manny. For everything.”
“No problem. Let’s go meet your pal.”
Xavier got out on wobbly legs. He had to hold on to the car door for a moment, until he could stand on his own.
Carlos turned to him. “His ID matches. I took a picture of it.”
I love you, man.And he did. He couldn’t have asked for a better best-friend-slash-brother than Carlos Hernandez. Swallowing hard, he nodded at the lawyer. “Mr. Lott. Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome. You’ve had a rough night.”
Xavier had to swallow again. “Yes, sir.”
“Are you calling the cops?” Carlos asked abruptly.
Lott smiled. “Nope. I’m going to take you somewhere safe.”
Xavier shook his head. “I can’t just leave. My mom’s here. She wasn’t at home last night, but she’ll go home later today and see...” He trailed off, because he wasn’t sure what his mother would see. Blood? A dead body? “What if the guy’s still there? Alive? Waiting for her?”
