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Malik hit the gas, and the vehicle’s tires squealed and spit smoke as they drove as fast as possible.
“Showing a sign of good faith after you spoke about proof of life and proof of health means what?” Malik asked.
“Anytime that language is used, it usually means they’re going to give us something that will restore our faith that our loved ones are still alive,” Langston responded. They exchanged glances, their guts tight.
“I can’t believe we let him get Mom. What the fuck kind of protection are we for her if someone can slip in and get our mother?” Malik slammed his hand against the dash.
“Calm down,” Tristan said as Langston ground his teeth. “She was shopping. If you think about it, it was the perfect setup. How many of us shop with her?”
“Is that the point?”
“She doesn’t have twenty-four-hour security, and we all know at any time, because of our government credentials, we and our families can be targeted. This isn’t our first rodeo.”
“Is that the point?” Malik repeated.
Tristan signed, and Langston spoke up. “It’s on me. Not you.”
“We’re not doing this shit,” Tristan barked.
“It looks like we are.”
“Do I have to repeat myself?”
“You and Malik kept her safe when people targeted you. I should’ve followed my gut and put security on all of you when I first got the message.”
“But your superior told you to do nothing,” Tristan pointed out.
“It’s still my duty to protect my family. I can’t blame him. It’s on me.”
Tristan slapped Malik across the back of his head. “Are you happy?”
Malik gritted his teeth and inhaled. “It’s not on you. It could’ve happened to either of us.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “And don’t slap me again, or I’ll return the favor…family.”
“Shiver me timbers.”
The tension in the car dissipated as they all burst out laughing at Tristan’s unexpected pirate impression. It was a welcome release from the stress of the situation. Langston wiped the tears from his eyes as he turned to the others.
“All right, all right. But seriously, there won’t be a next time. And we should put security on everyone in the family and the women we date or marry as a precaution.”
Malik and Tristan nodded. “Agreed.”
Langston removed his Glock. “We’re five minutes out.”
They all checked their weapons when Langston’s phone rang. He answered on the first ring. “We’re almost there.”
“Damn it, Clark. You are to wait for backup.”
“It’s not happening, boss.”
“You’re too close to this thing. I should’ve taken you off the case.”
“It wouldn’t have made a difference. And before you chastise me, YOU were the one that told me to do nothing in the first place. Don’t tell me to do nothing now.”
Spencer hesitated. “You have a team headed to you, but they won’t arrive for another fifteen minutes.”
“By then, it’ll be too late. And that’s okay. I’ve gotta go, boss.”
Malik rushed into the cafe’s parking lot, and their eyes immediately landed on their mother, Cynthia Clark, standing in the middle of the street’s crosswalk.
