Jaxson laughs. “Well, the guy pisses me off a lot, but I guess he isn’t bad. He brought me here, and we’re all leaving together. That’s more than I would expect from anybody.”
I change the subject. “Is Nat the loose end that Lance was talking about?”
Jaxson has a face of disgust. “We’re planning to burn the house down. It will get the whole town’s attention and maybe give us a distraction to leave.” Jaxson smacks the bar and looks over the counter. He points at a few gas cannisters. “I’ve never started a fire with gas before, but I think we have enough gasoline.”
I did not even notice the several gas cannisters huddled together on the other side of the bar. It was more than enough to take care of all the loose ends at the Smithson’s house.
“The camera in the other room, is that the one Nat was filming on that night on the trail?”
Jaxson nods his head. “It’s part of the rules. Someone has to witness and record it.” He shakes his head. “It’s so fucked up thinking about it now.”
“I want to watch it,” I say sternly. “Can you grab it? I’d rather not go in there again.”
Jaxson looks at me confused. “Why would you want to see that shit?”
“I feel like I need to see it for myself.” Jaxson is about to say something, but I cut him off sternly. “Show me.”
The more I can learn about The Beasts, the better, I figure. Besides, we have a few more hours to go until Lance comes back before noon.
∞∞∞
It’s already one in the afternoon, and Lance is not back.
Jaxson is pacing in the kitchen. “This is wrong. Something isn’t right.”
For once, I completely agree with him.
Danna tried to call him several times, but he did not pick up. He did not text back. He did not respond at all.
For a moment, I wonder if Lance took off without us. It is easier to escape without extra baggage. He’s got the keys to the boat on him. He could have gone solo.
I remember last night and the affection and intimacy he showed me. I knew in my heart that he would never leave me.
“Maybe we should just head to the pier,” Danna suggests. “Meet him at the boat.”
“He could just be running late,” I say, not believing myself.
Jaxson storms into the kitchen. “If he does not come back here soon, this place could be compromised. The Beasts could know where we are already and be coming here.”
He has a point. We could not stay here.
We need a new plan. After a while, one comes to me. It is not a good one, but it’s better than waiting here and hoping The Beasts don’t find us first.
I go downstairs. I hear Danna yelling after me, but I ignore her. I go behind the bar and pick up all the gas cans one at a time. Most of them are full, except one. I grab the camera on the bar counter and go back upstairs.
“You guys aren’t going to like this, but I think I have a plan.” Jaxson and Danna look at me confused.
“Are you going to watch that again?” Jaxson asks, pointing at the camera.
“Not exactly,” I say. I go over the details of my plan in depth.
Jaxson is using his large arms to squeeze his forehead. On the other hand, Danna has a large smile. I knew she would like my idea.
“That is fucked up,” Jaxson says.
I smile. “Thanks.”
A loud knock on the front door makes all three of us jump. Danna takes out the gun from her jacket pocket. Her hands are shaking as she hands it to Jaxson.
More loud knocks on the door make me jump. I almost feel like the police are about to ram through the door at any moment.
Jaxson raises the gun and opens the door slowly.
“Outsiders are back!” Bryce yells with a smile. He is holding two large luggage bags under his arms.
Jaxson peeks outside and looks around the empty streets, then he firmly grabs Bryce by the shirt and pulls him inside, shutting the door behind him.
Chapter 12
Lance
There is not much time to spare.
I have everything planned. Everything is already scheduled. Now it is time to simply implement it.
I drive down the road and pass my home. I think about stopping and grabbing a few things, but know better. Chase could have told everyone by now what I did to him. They may already assume I am the one who killed Nat and Jaxson.
It would be nice to see my father one last time, but he’s someone I fear the most right now. As an elder of The Beasts, it’s his duty to uphold the rules, even if they could cause harm to his only son.
I make a sharp turn down a different road. I take out my cell from my pocket and glance at a message I received from Carlos. With one eye on the road, I open the text and it’s him telling me to come when I can.
Perfect.
It was a pipe dream of mine to own an all-inclusive property in Brazil. Carlos was an integral part of starting that dream. He had all the right government contacts. Anybody who needed to be bought or paid off, could be and for a reasonable price. Any proper channels that I needed to have on place, Carlos was able to assist, even with less legal channels as well.
I did not have any plans on sticking around Ryland my whole life, and now was the time to start new. The Beasts would not have the same level of respect in a country like Brazil. I could manage my own security team and keep us all safe from them.
Before heading to Carlos, I needed to ensure the boat was completely ready to go. One last check to ensure I had everything I needed. I made a list last night.
Sometime between holding Elle in my arms
