AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just checkin’ to make sure there’s no surprises,” I replied easily. “Go ahead and get ready, baby. I’m gonna put on some real pants.”
“Those are real pants.”
“These are pajamas,” I countered, leading her into our bedroom.
“I wanted you to be comfortable.”
“Thank you. They’re very comfortable, but I’m gonna put on some jeans.”
Esther huffed out a laugh.
She left me to get ready in the bathroom, and I was sitting on the bed pulling on some clean socks when the hair at the back of my neck prickled. I couldn’t hear anything except Esther moving around in the bathroom, but I still got quietly to my feet and pulled the pistol out of my top dresser drawer, silently double-checking it was loaded.
I moved through the house slow and steady, checking each of the rooms again. None of them were disturbed, and I was almost positive that no one had been in our house. Then I remembered that I hadn’t checked the fucking basement.
I slid through the kitchen in my socks, trying not to make any noise. Unlocking the door, I threw it open and flipped on the light, grateful that I’d changed the bulb when Esther moved in. I couldn’t see anyone, but I hurried down the stairs anyway, just to make sure.
I was at the bottom of the stairs when the living room window shattered with a loud boom and Esther started yelling for me from upstairs.
I’ve never run so fast in my life.
I was out of the basement and through the kitchen in seconds.
Someone had thrown a pipe bomb through the window, and the fucking couch was on fire.
“Otto,” Esther yelled, panicked. “What was that?”
“Come here, baby,” I yelled back. “Be careful on the stairs, but hurry, yeah?”
I moved toward the windows, staying out of eyesight of anyone outside. She’d probably be safer upstairs, but I couldn’t leave her up there when the goddamn house was about to go up in flames.
I couldn’t see anyone out the window, but I could feel whoever it was out there. Waiting.
Pulling out my phone, I cursed as it rang.
“How you feelin’, son?” my dad answered on the third ring.
“Someone just threw a pipe bomb through my front window,” I said quietly, waving Esther toward me and shoving her behind my back. “Me and Esther are sittin’ ducks and my couch is on fire.”
“Jesus Christ,” he spat. “Hold tight. I’ll send anyone close.”
“Don’t have to tell you—”
“Five minutes at most,” he spit. “Even if I have to call the fuckin’ cops.”
“Otto,” Esther murmured, gripping the waistband of my jeans as she coughed. “We need to get out of here.”
“Down on the floor, sugar,” I ordered, pushing her back toward the bathroom.
She was shaking as I helped her sit down.
“What’s happening?” she rasped, clutching at me.
“Not sure yet.” I looked around the room. The smoke wasn’t bad yet, but any minute the couch was going to really start burning and then I’d have to get her the fuck out of there. Where the hell were the people my dad was sending?
Something hit the side of the house with a loud thump, and Esther jumped.
I couldn’t wait.
