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I shot a look in his direction, trying to ascertain what he was saying. “Pappy, if you know something, you damn well better let me know.”
The banging noise at the back door drew Pappy immediately from his barstool, his hand whipping out the gun in seconds. “Stay here,” he said under his breath as he headed for the back.
Crouching down, I moved toward the window, peeking from the edge of the blind.
“Just Blade. Crystal, get away from the window. Don’t set yourself up as an easy target.” Pappy directed.
“He’s right. We’re going to leave through the back. Give me your keys and I’ll get the truck,” Blade instructed.
“Did you see anything?” I wasn’t certain I wanted to know the answer.
“No, but that doesn’t mean anything. They’d damn good at hiding in plain sight when they want to. Come on.” Blade headed in my direction, his boots thudding on the floor. That’s all I could concentrate on, the power of his movements and the fact he wanted to protect me.
I absolutely adored this man and there was no doubt I would lose him forever.
Finally able to breathe, I reached out, wanting nothing more than for Blade to hold me. A flash caught my eye, drawing my attention back toward the window. Everything in slow motion, I heard a crackling sound. Then I…
CHAPTER10
Blade
“God damn it!” I heard my booming voice echoing over the intense blaze. I cradled her in my arms, dragging us both back from the firebomb’s point of entry, the oversized front windows. Blinking, the smoke was acrid, stinging my eyes. I managed to wipe away a portion of soot, finally able to focus. The bomb was only meant as a warning or the entire place would have blown. I knew one thing without question. This was just the beginning of their wrath. However, their reactions had been much faster than I would have predicted, which solidified what I’d heard about the Salvadorian.
They wouldn’t stop until Crystal was dead. Was there another reason, a portion of her life she hadn’t mentioned? In my experience, organized acts of retaliation were usually saved for the most egregious betrayal, not for warding off thugs. Something was off kilter.
“Are you two all right?” Pappy yelled, his voice carrying over the melee. He held his arm over the front of his face as he backed away from the licking flames, hissing as he stumbled to his feet.
I’d heard the man’s name being used. I also ventured that he used to be a cop. I could smell them a mile away. There was no way of knowing whether he was onto me. Couldn’t care either. Whether or not I could trust him didn’t matter. In truth, I needed help getting her out of here. When she was safely protected in the middle of the bar, I peered down, easing strands of hair from her face and picking off pieces of glass from her clothing. Leaning over, I could tell she was breathing but there was a gash on the side of her neck and one near her ear. “I think so.”
“What the fuck just happened?” Pappy asked, his back hitting the end of the bar.
Pappy had his gun in both hands, carefully taking glances into the parking lot. I took a full inhale before answering. “Revenge.”
At that point, we could both hear the sound of screeching tires even over the flames. “Shit. These fuckers need a solid lesson in respect. I’m calling 9-1-1. Get Crystal the hell out of here before they arrive. I’ll take care of talking with the cops. They damn well better listen to me or I’ll have their jobs.” He wiped soot from his face before glancing in my direction. “And no, I don’t give a shit who you are or what you did in the past. You’re all right with me. The Charleston Police Department will learn only what they need to hear, but you have only a few minutes. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
I smiled, giving him a respectful nod. He had more to do with this than being a customer. “I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. Pretty clear how much the little filly likes you. She deserves a break. Hell, more than one so you better take care of her or you’ll have me to go through,” Pappy mused, half under his breath.
I snaked another glance at the blue hue of the fire, cursing under my breath before turning my attention to Crystal. “If you can hear me, I’m not leaving. Iamgetting you out of here.” Easing her head to the floor, I scrambled toward the bar, searching for her keys, finally finding them on the mat behind the bar. When I had her in my arms, I headed toward Pappy. “Thank you for your help. Get out of here.”
“Oh, I will.” He tilted his head, offering a smile. “I don’t know who you are or what you’re in the middle of, son, but I can tell you’re a good man. Take care of her. She’s a special lady who has no clue what she dropped into the middle of.”
“I will.” I had every intention of making certain she would live past tonight. I eyed the older man, the way his eyes were flashing. There was much more to Pappy than just a retired cop.
“What’s… happening?” Crystal asked in a scattered voice as she pawed at my chest, wincing as she blinked several times.
“A fire. A bomb. I’m getting you out of here. Just relax and trust me.” As if either one of us would be able to relax in any regard. She was no fool and neither was I. Escape would take careful calculating. I took guarded steps out the service door, glancing up and down the back alley. There was no one in sight but that didn’t mean they weren’t waiting in the shadows. “Listen to me very carefully. Don’t fight me. Just hold on.”
Moaning, she clung to me as I kept low, creeping along the side of the building until I reached the front. The blast hadn’t damaged much of the parking lot, leaving only a trace of glass covering her truck. I jammed the key into the passenger side lock, swearing under my breath as I opened the door, placing her onto the seat. She whimpered and reached for me, her eyes fluttering open and closed. “Blade,” she whispered.
“Just breathe for me.” I wasted no time getting into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. I’d been through this kind of shit too many times before in my life and grasped what we were facing. If the fuckers followed, we’d be sitting ducks. If they’d sent a warning shot in a manner of speaking, I had perhaps minutes to get her to safety.
“Zorro.”
“We can’t worry about him right now,” I insisted.
“No!” Crystal shifted, managing to sit upright. “I won’t leave him. He’s all I have! I’ll fucking walk if I have to.”
