The guard shrugged. “I suppose we’ll find out.”
“I suppose we will.” He patted the guard’s shoulder. “Lead on, my good man.”
The guard stiffened and turned to him. “This doesn’t make us friends.”
Broussard smiled at him. “Ah, but we’re also not enemies. And in my book, if we’re not enemies, we are friends.”
The guard shook his head as he turned down the hall. Under his breath he muttered, “Fucking Frogs.”
Simon stared through the dirt encrusted windows of the grocery store and watched as the sun slipped lower on the horizon. As the last few licks of light stretched across the early evening sky, he gathered his troops.
“We march on the slow, dumb ones tonight. We burn them to the ground and we feast on their roasted remains.”
Whoops and grunts of approval erupted from the gathered Quee and Simon felt a rush of importance. It would be him that led the attack and it would be him that would finish off the Cagers. As muddled as his mind was, he remembered only the intense hatred he felt for that collection of people. He couldn’t remember why, but he knew that they were his mortal enemies and must be crushed.
The headaches returned and he reached for the bitter pills in his pocket. He tossed a small handful back and washed it down with his ever handy brown liquor.
As the Quee gathered their weapons and prepared to march, he selected a smaller bottle that would travel easier and slipped it into his vest pocket. He knew that he couldn’t be far from the bitter pills or the brown liquor. He needed them like the Quee needed him.
He marched to the front doors of the store and turned back to eye his army. Although he couldn’t be positive, it definitely appeared as though a fair number had escaped their ranks. He clenched his jaw and set his shoulders. “We are more than a tribe. We are a family.” He eyed the women especially as he spoke. “Nobody leaves the family without permission. Ever.”
A light murmur rose from those assembled and Simon left no room for negotiation as he stepped forward. “Anyone who tries to leave, you stop them. Bring them to me.” He gave them a false smile and lowered his voice. “I would speak with them before they try to make it on their own. Remember, there’s safety in numbers.”
He wasn’t sure where that thought had originated but he felt oddly proud of himself for thinking of something so clever. He stepped aside and motioned his army into the parking lot. “We make war so that we can finally have peace.”
Chapter 24
“You didn’t say anything about people fighting.” Trevor spoke softly as he drove through the winding city streets. “Is that really why you wanted to leave?”
Donna shrugged. “It was frightening.” She avoided his gaze and tried to think of another viable excuse to leave the safety of the collective. “I’m sure it was probably just people’s nerves.” Trevor slowed the RV and pulled to the side of the road. “What are you doing?” She gave him a puzzled look.
He put the RV in park and turned to her. “So you really have no desire to be with me and Patricia? You just wanted away from the violence?” He did his best to keep his voice calm and his tone even. If nothing else, he didn’t want to upset Patricia.
Donna sighed heavily and shook her head. “I really don’t know what I want or don’t want.” She could feel her eyes begin to mist and she wiped at them, vowing that she would keep herself together.
“I’m not gonna toss you out on your ass, Donna. I just want to know the truth.” He reached out and took her hand. “If you want to make a go at ‘us’ then I’m game. I’d love to try again…especially under better circumstances.” He cleared his throat and glanced back to make sure Patricia was still okay. “But if we’re heading out on our own and you have no desire for there to be an ‘us,’ I’d like to know.”
She turned and gave him a look that he couldn’t read. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”
Trevor let go of her hand and sat back in the driver’s seat. “No, Donna. Quite the opposite.” He took a deep breath to maintain his low and even tone. “All I’m saying is, I don’t want to say or do something that might make you feel…like you told Hatcher you used to feel when we were together.” He turned and faced her. “If you don’t feel it and just wanted a way out of there, I understand and I won’t hold you to what you said before. But if you really do want to try again, I’m excited to try. That’s all I’m saying.”
Donna swallowed hard and stared out of the windshield. “I’m not sure what I want, Trevor.” She glanced back at him and shook her head. “If you’re really okay with us just traveling together, then let’s try that for now.” She averted her eyes again and added, “If it grows into something more, then we’ll both know.”
Trevor felt his chest tighten as she spoke but he gave her a reassuring smile. “Okay then. Just traveling partners.”
“For now,” she added quickly.
“Until you’re ready.” He put the RV back into gear and pulled back onto the road. He tried not to look at her as he drove but he felt a wall of tension form that he wasn’t sure about. Perhaps it was his own mind pushing her away, preparing him for the cold shoulder that he’d receive for any small act of kindness. Or perhaps it was his heart putting up defenses for the letdown that he was sure would come.
Either way, Trevor vowed to keep her at arm’s length until she set the terms of their relationship. He glanced at the rearview and saw Patricia staring out of the rear window. Regardless of what
