Driver 8: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel

CHAPTER 6

“Psst, psst!” a voice sounded from behind a grove of shrubs.

Kyle’s eyes openly slightly. It was nighttime and the only light around came from the gates of Prime several hundred yards away. For all intents and purposes, he was immersed in the black of night. He looked into the blackness that surrounded him and saw nothing. Am I hallucinating? He thought.

“Psst, Kyle!” the voice boomed.

Hearing his name, Kyle lifted his head and tried to widen his eyes to get a better look, still he saw no one. This is it? I’m hearing things. My time is almost up. He said to himself.

“Kyle, are you alive?” the voice said now coming from behind the tree.

Mustering the energy, Kyle replied, “Are you an angel or the devil?”

“Both,” the man replied.

Weakened but now hopeful that someone might free him, Kyle found the strength to again reply, “Who are you?”

“It’s Tommy.”

“No, there’s a guard.”

“I took care of him already. That was easy, lazy bastard was sleeping. Picking these locks, that’s the tough part.”

“Hurry, get me down.”

“I am,” Tommy said working on the locks.

An audible click sounded.

“Got them, now I’m going to lower you down slowly,” Tommy said.

Kyle didn’t reply.

Cautiously, Tommy brought Kyle down to the ground. All that needed to be done was remove the lower ankle clamps.

The hard ground felt good. Kyle let his body relax.

“All done,” Tommy said referring to the removal of the ankle clamps. He scooted to Kyle’s side, lifted his head and put a bottle of water to his cracked lips. “Drink slowly.”

The fresh cool water soothed his parched throat.

“Bro, I thought you were supposed to be king fish here, good thing I didn’t show up a few days before or I’d be on another tree with ya’.”

“Portia, they took Portia,” Kyle muttered.

“Who’s that? Is that your wife?”

Kyle nodded.

“Where did they take her?”

“Slave,” Kyle answered.

“Fuck me, that could be in any direction. If I knew who their main trading partner was, then we could have an idea exactly where she’s gone too,” Tommy said. He was familiar with the slave trade being a bounty hunter. “Do you know who they trade with?”

“Republic I think,” Kyle replied solely on the hunch based upon where he found Barry.

“Hmm, there’s several main players over there, but if you don’t know for sure it could be a wild goose chase. We need to find out exactly who they deal with in each area.”

“I know who knows,” Kyle grunted.

“If he’s inside those gates, we’ll need to get you healthy first. Can you stand?”

“I’ll try,” Kyle said.

Tommy threw Kyle’s arm over his shoulder and pressed him up.

On his feet, Kyle tried to stand but his legs were weak and wobbly. “I feel like shit.”

“Bro, you look like shit and your face is a fucking mess, almost as bad as mine,” Tommy joked and began to head towards his truck parked a mile away off the main highway.

“Thank you. You’re a true friend,” Kyle groaned.

“It’s what friends do,” Tommy said.

The trailer stank of feces, urine, sweat and rotting flesh. It took everything Portia had to not vomit at any moment. The few times they stopped she’d push her way past the other women and leap from the back to get away from it, only to be forced back on when they had to go. Her companions in the trailer were unfamiliar to her but all former residents of The Collective, who had failed health tests. At their first stop days before she counted seventeen women, now there were only sixteen, sometime during the night one of the women had killed herself. Someone she managed to find a piece of glass and instead of using it as a weapon to attack her captures, used it to lay open her wrists. The others cried out that she had died but the truck had a schedule to keep and they didn’t stop but once a day.

Portia overheard the drivers discussing the trip during the pit stop. It appeared the first destination would be the next stop and so forth.

The brakes on the trailer engaged and the truck began to slow.

Portia woke. She sat up and looked around but it was almost impossible to see around the dimly lit trailer. “Are we stopping?”

“That or we’re slowly to make a turn,” a woman replied.

“I’m scared,” another woman said.

“If we fought back, we could overwhelm them,” Portia suggested. This wasn’t the first time she’d mentioned it but no one seemed interested. It’s as if life in The Collective had made them rule following lemmings.

“Not again. I’m not risking my life,” a woman said from the front.

“I agree with Nancy, it’s a bad idea,” someone added.

“Bad idea? Being sold into slavery isn’t worse?” Portia sniped.

“At least I’ll be alive,” Nancy answered.

“Is anyone with me? I heard this next stop is where it all begins,” Portia said.

“What begins?” someone asked.

“Being sold off begins,” Portia shot back frustrated.

The brakes kicked on again and the truck shuddered.

“We’re stopping, this is it,” Portia said looking around. “Is anyone with me?”

No one spoke up.

She thought she could fight now or wait for a more opportune time. Not having the support of any of the others, she’d be outmanned and most likely not escape.

The truck came to a full stop. Seconds later the doors opened allowing the light of day and the fresh air in. Like all the other times, Portia was the first person to jump from the back. She looked around and saw a landscape foreign to her. To her right, a building with the name, THE RUSTY NAIL, sat, its weathered appearance looked like nothing inside the walls of Prime. Ahead of her the road curved to the right and disappeared behind a hill, and to her left was another road and a long field beyond.

The two drivers milled around helping the women get off the truck.

She noticed they weren’t looking. Should I run? She thought. This could be her chance to try to get away, but where should she go and more importantly, where was she? She didn’t recognize anything but it’s not like she would anyway. The long field to her left seemed most promising, she took a few steps that way to get a better look. It would be a huge risk to make a run and the chances she’d get far at all were slim.

“Hey you,” one of the men said.

Her head snapped back to see the man who went by Earl looking at her. “Yeah,” she replied.

“Get over here and throw this on,” Earl said tossing a dress at her.

She looked at the fresh linen dress. The soft cotton and fragrant smell told her it came from someone’s closet but who’s?

“You don’t fondle it, you wear it,” Earl laughed.

She looked over her shoulder. The field seemed longer and farther than it had just a minute ago. When she faced back, Nancy was inches from her with a hairbrush.

“Get that on and hurry up so I can brush you hair,” Nancy said.

Without being afforded any privacy to change, Portia did a small trick she learned when she was young. She put the dress over her other clothes and once on, slipped out of her other clothes underneath. What she didn’t realize was in her desire to be modest, her locket had snagged on her old clothes and fallen off.

Nancy noticed it and without uttering a word, quickly bent down, picked it up and slipped into a pocket of the dress she was wearing.

Portia felt she had won a small victory by not openly undressing. Disgusted by her old clothes she tossed them onto the ground.

Nancy spun her around and began to run the brush through her hair showing no concern for how hard she was brushing.

“Ouch!” Portia exclaimed as she pulled away. “You’re pulling my hair out!”

“Your hair is a rat’s nest. Turn back around so I can finish,” Nancy scolded.

“No,” Portia said snatching the brush from Nancy. “I’m more than capable of brushing my own hair.”

With the woman dressed and looking as best they could considering their situation they were led to the back door in single file line making Portia feel like one of her students headed to the infirmary. All will go in, less will come out.

“Yummy,” Conrad the lot guard hollered.

“Ladies come with me,” Candace said waving for them to follow her. She led them inside but instead of going left into the bar area, they took a right and went down a short hallway. A single door sat at the end with the sign, PRIVATE, written on it. “Line up here. I’ll call you in one at a time.”

The women did as they were told. Portia didn’t want to be the first this time so found a spot near the back.

One by one the women entered and came out only to get back in line. Some were crying, while others had terrified looks on their faces.

Portia finally reached the front of the line. Her heart was racing. She didn’t know what lay on the other side of that door but she knew it wasn’t good. When she was nervous she’d fidget and twirl her locket. She reached but the locket wasn’t there. Her heart sank. She looked on the floor and turned around to see if it had fallen off while she was in line.

“Face forward,” Earl barked.

“But I lost my…” Portia complained her eyes scanning the dirty wood floor for the chain and locket.

“I don’t give a shit, face forward,” Earl ordered as he took a few steps towards her.

Seeing him come, Portia did as he said and faced back towards the door. How could I have lost it? She thought. Her mind began to walk through where she’d been since she last touched it, coming to the conclusion it was either on the truck or in the parking lot.

The door opened, Candace stuck her head out, “Next.”

Portia didn’t move.

“C’mon sweet cheeks, best to get it over with, trust me I’ve been in your spot before,” Candace said sweetly.

Portia slipped into the room. It was small and smelled stale. In the middle of the room a large wooden desk sat and behind it a large man.

Candace placed Portia directly in front of the desk and just before letting go, gave her shoulders a slight and encouraging squeeze.

“Take your dress off,” Frank ordered before taking a bite of a sandwich.

Portia began to tremble.

“Do I look like I have all the time in the world? Take off your fucking dress. I won’t buy unless I can see the goods,” Frank barked.

Candace came up behind Portia and placed her hand gently on her hips, “Let me help you sweetie.” She pulled the dress up and off. Underneath, Portia was only wearing panties.

Portia used her arms to cover her breasts.

“Is she fucking serious?” Franks asked Candace.

“She’s nervous,” Candace snapped back.

“For Christ’s sake do I have to do everything myself?” Frank got up, came from behind the desk put her arms down by her side and yanked down her panties.

Portia began to shake uncontrollably and tears welled in her eyes.

Frank took a few steps back and examined her. “Hmm, boobs are bit a saggy and let me see,” he said walking around her until he ended back in front. “How old are you?”

“I’m, ah, I’m…”

“Speak up!” Frank yelled.

“Give the girl a break would you?” Candace said, her tone showing her annoyance with Frank.

“You just shut it,” Frank snapped at Candace. He put his focus back on Portia and said, “Well.”

“I’m thirty-one.”

“You look older. How many men you been with?” Frank asked.

Portia looked to Candace for support but she wasn’t going to get any.

“Go ahead, sweetheart, I told ya’ the faster you do this, the faster you’re outta here,” Candace said.

“One,” Portia answered.

“No shit!” Frank blurted out.

“Yes,” Portia said raising her arms and covering her breasts again.

“Okay, I’ve seen enough, bring in the next,” Frank said walking back around to his chair.

“Here sweetie,” Candace said helping Portia put her dress back on. Dressed, Candace walked her out and whispered to her, “Believe me, you’re the lucky one. He didn’t sample you.”

Portia almost threw up upon hearing that.

“Next!” Candace hollered.

“The job changed, that’s all you need to know. But can you do me a favor?” Tommy said into his phone.

“And the food shipment? You know we need that or the Sinoloa’s are going to be pissed,” Jacob, a Leviathan team leader, said.

“That’s why I’m here, but there’s another reason for my call,” Tommy said.

“Go ahead,” Jacob said.

“This isn’t much to ask for from you, but a slave shipment out of The Collective left a few days ago. I need you to track that down.”

“Can I kill the slavers once I run into them?” Jacob asked.

“Brother, you’re weapons free with them. I’m just trying to track that shipment down.”

“Is this a new job?” Jacob asked.

“Yeah, it’s a job, a quick one,” Tommy answered remaining coy as to who or why he was asking for the favor.

“You’re right, it is an easy ask, but you need to stop fucking around and get that truck and head south.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“I forgot to ask, but your friend, that driver, did you reach him in time?” Jacob asked privy to the

information of Kyle.

Tommy went to reply but paused to think. Did he want the word out that Kyle was alive or did he

want the world to think he was dead, at least for now? He trusted Jacob, but still, why offer it up. As he always did, he preferred to keep things mostly vague even with other Leviathan teams. “He’s dead, Driver Eight is dead.”

“Oh shit, man, I didn’t know your friend was the Driver Eight. Wow, that’s huge news,” Jacob said.

“Call me if you get any info, I’ll be offline for about twelve, I’ll check in later when the jobs done and I have the shipment,” Tommy said.

“Just watch your back Tommy, we’re being hunted. You lost your partner, you’re flying solo now,” Jacob said referring to the fact that the Leviathan syndicate had become enemy number one in many areas which had resulted in warrants for their arrest or bounties on their heads. It was a reversal of fortune for a group that had created a reputation and legacy.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll call soon,” Tommy said.

“We’ll wait for you, but if no contact for twenty-four hours, we’re setting sail. It won’t be personal,” Jacob said.

“It’s all good. I know the drill. I’ll be in contact soon enough,” Tommy said and hung up. He went back inside the small safe house to find Kyle waking up.

Kyle sat up and looked around. He was in a strange room, a single candle burned on a table next to him. The flickering flame caused his shadow to dance on the wall. He scratched his head to remember how he got there but couldn’t recall. The last he remembered was getting into Tommy’s truck, everything else was a blur.

“I’d suggest getting more rest than that, brother,” Tommy said from the other side of the large room.

Kyle gazed towards his voice but saw only shadows. “Do you always hide in the dark?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. It’s part of my job description now.”

Kyle struggled to rise, his body ached from his head to his feet, but he managed to sit up. “I feel like I’ve been run over.”

“Worse, you were hanging for days, scratch that, being stretched for days. How fucked up is that?”

“What?” Kyle asked before reaching towards a glass of water on a table next to him. He picked it up and gulped it down.

“That they attached that weight to you. As if your own body weight wasn’t enough to pull you down.”

Kyle rubbed his eyes and asked, “How long have I been out for?”

“Oh, about twelve hours.”

Hearing that, Kyle grew stressed. “We have to go, we need to find her.”

“Already working on that, but I just need to know where she went to narrow our search perimeters down. I also called in a favor with another Leviathan. If anyone can track slavers it’s that guy. His team are notorious trackers. Jacob was a slave himself when he was a kid, now in between jobs he hunts down slavers.”

“But it’s still a wild goose chase. One person knows and that’s Barry.”

“And Barry is the guy who stuck you on that tree and more than likely is inside the walls of Collective Prime?” Tommy asked.

“Yes, he’s inside the walls of Prime.”

“I had a feeling you might say that.”

“Getting inside the walls isn’t the problem, getting to Barry is,” Kyle replied.

“I plotted where she could be on this map. Come here and take a look,” Tommy said before reconsidering Kyle’s condition. “Better yet, I’ll go there.” Tommy went over and sat next to Kyle and laid the map on his lap. He turned on a flashlight and shined it across what was an old highway map of the central United States.

First thing Kyle noticed were circles emanating from Prime. “What do they represent?”

“Days. I estimate that if she left the same day you hung from the tree, she’d make it this far on day one, this far on day two and so forth. See these red dots?”

“Yeah.”

“Those are known trading posts or slave markets,” Tommy said pointing at over two dozen dots all outside of The Collective Zone. “If she got here, two days south, she could be in someone’s hands and God knows from there. And if she’s gotten here…”

Frustrated, Kyle said, “I get the picture.”

“Timing is everything, but right now you need rest, so I’ll go in and get your guy, I’ll bring him back.”

“I can’t have you do that alone, it’s too dangerous, plus you don’t know where you’re going.”

“If you tell me where to go, give me details, draw me a map, I’ll be fine.”

“No.”

“Bro, it’s what I do, I’m a fucking bounty hunter for Leviathan, I track motherfuckers like this down all the time.”

“Not like this. He’s a dumpy fat slob, but he’s cunning and he’s got a small army guarding him. No, I can’t let you go alone.”

“You need more rest, a day at least. I can do this, trust me.”

Knowing another day put Portia even further away and possibly out of reach forever, he insisted, “Tommy, I’m going, end of debate. Let’s get ready, we leave in an hour.”

A wide smile stretched across Tommy’s face. “Still the same Kyle I remember from the force.” He patted Kyle on the shoulder and continued, “I missed you, brother.”

Kyle picked up the map and located Prime. He put his finger down and said, “The main gates are here. If you’ll remember right in front was a creek that flows east west then curves right about here and heads south.”

“I saw it,” Tommy said.

“We’ll follow that until we get to a culvert, right about here,” Kyle said tracing the winding blue line.

“Ok,” Tommy said nodding.

“It’s large so don’t stress.”

“Wait, are we crawling through a fucking pipe?”

“Yeah.”

“Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Kyle asked.

“I’m scared of two things. Spiders and tight spaces. Please tell me I won’t get stuck.”

“You won’t get stuck, I promise you,” Kyle reassured.

“Serious?”

“Yes, now can I go on?”

“Go.”

“That will take us all the way to Main Street. Once there we’ll pop out and the executive mansion is about five blocks. Like I said, getting in is easy, navigating around inside will be difficult and getting into the mansion will be a fight more than likely…” Kyle said then stopped when he noticed Tommy wasn’t paying attention. “What’s wrong with you? I need you focused. This is important.”

“I haven’t told you the truth,” Tommy confessed with a sigh.

“The truth about what?”

“Why I’m here,” Tommy said and paused before continuing. "I was contracted to kill Number One. I got the gig a couple days after seeing you in Salina. I decided to take it and to be honest, I was going to use our friendship to gain access into Prime and to Number One. I was a day out when I got the word he was dead. I was going to turn around but on that same call I was told you were hanging on that tree.”

Kyle blankly stared at Tommy unable to speak.

“As soon as I heard about you, I pushed hard to get here in hopes I’d be able to save you,” Tommy said. He looked at Kyle and was hoping to gauge how he felt but Kyle was stone faced. “Sorry I misled you.”

Kyle didn’t need to think long, “Its fine. I guess I should be apologizing to you for lost wages.”

“Not exactly.”

“There’s more, clearly,” Kyle said.

“When The Underground found out I was still in route they changed the target and tasked me with killing the son. Hence why I was pushing you to stay and rest so I could go in and take care of business. I’d bring him back, you’d get what you needed and I could kill him, make it a win, win.”

Hearing that The Underground was involved, Kyle growled, “The Underground are nothing but a group of pussies. They run around pretending to be a resistance. All they do is interfere and cause problems for everyone,” Kyle complained.

“I need to do this job, Kyle,” Tommy confessed.

“That’s fine, but you can’t kill him until I know where they took Portia.”

“Deal, like I said, I’ll go in, grab him and bring him back,” Tommy said.

“Anything else you’d like to tell me?” Kyle snarled.

“There’s one more thing.”

Kyle rolled his eyes.

“A team from The Underground will accompany us,” Tommy said.

“No, they’ll just get in the way.”

“Here’s the situation, they…”

A door opening sounded from the front of the house.

Tommy grabbed his Kimber 1911 and stood against the wall near the bedroom door.

Kyle picked up the rifle leaning against the bed and shouldered it.

Three distinct voices were talking and laughing from the front room.

Tommy recognized one of the voices and called out, “Cal, is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s us,” Cal replied.

Tommy opened the door to the bedroom and a flood of light poured in from lanterns the three were holding. “You’re early.”

Cal, a tall slender man with light brown hair, walked in first, followed by another man named Eric and a woman named Dana. Eric was of average build, and Dana was short by any standard, standing no taller than five foot but incredibly attractive with long black hair.

Dana came in and spotted Kyle right away. “He’s alive, look guys, it’s Driver Eight.”

Kyle held the rifle, muzzle down and nodded at the three.

Cal walked over to Kyle and put out his hand, “Nice to meet the now infamous Driver Eight.”

Eric and Dana walked over and stood staring like groupies at a rock concert.

Kyle took Cal’s hand and bluntly said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea you come with us.”

“Huh?” Cal shrugged and looked at Tommy. “What’s this?”

“I’ve known him a long time, he’s particular,” Tommy replied.

“No deal, we go with you, plus we have critical information you need,” Cal informed.

“Tell us what you know and then maybe we can consider it,” Kyle replied his face stoic.

“Tommy, he’s not even part of this operation, we signed Leviathan, and last I checked Driver Eight wasn’t with your syndicate.”

“He’s been made an honorary member,” Tommy answered firmly.

“We’re going, and that’s final,” Cal insisted. The other two stood behind him wide eyed and confused by what was occurring.

“We’ve got this, we don’t need amateurs holding us up,” Kyle snarled.

“I’ll have you know I’ve been with The Underground for five years,” Cal barked.

“And you’ve accomplished nothing but alienating many residents with your tactics,” Kyle snapped back.

“If we don’t go this operation is off,” Cal fired back.

“Fine,” Kyle said.

“And we know where he is, you don’t!” Cal barked.

Tommy stepped forward, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, everyone chill out. Come here,” he said taking Kyle by the arm and walking him away. He leaned in and whispered, “I need this to go forward.”

“Why?” Kyle asked, a bit shocked to hear that.

“The payment is a truck load of food. Some of my Leviathan brothers need it for a trip they’re going on,” Tommy said.

“Leviathan people?” Kyle asked.

“Yeah, it’s a long story but some of my brothers are tapping out, heading somewhere, far away from here. They’re counting on me to bring the food back.”

“Fine, they can come, but they keep out of my way.”

“Brother, we’ll find your wife…together,” Tommy said putting his hand on Kyle’s shoulder.

“Thanks,” Kyle said.

Tommy walked around Kyle and over to Cal. “We’re a go.”

Cal nodded and faced Kyle. “I don’t care what you think about me or my people. We’re good people with noble intentions. Once we have removed Number Two, we can begin the process of creating a new society built on freedom and expression.”

“Once I’ve gotten what I want out of Barry, I’m gone, I don’t give two shits what new society you’ll form. History is replete with examples of one tyrant overthrowing another,” Kyle said.

“We’re not tyrants.”

“Spare me the sermon,” Kyle said.

“You’re rude!” Dana snapped, the glow and excitement on her face when she met Kyle was replaced with contempt.

Tommy laid out a map, pointed to the culvert and said, “We think this could be a good access point.”

The three Underground members looked at each other and began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Tommy asked.

“First, there’s a better way to sneak into Prime if you need to without getting covered in shit and secondly, Number Two’s not even there, he’s up at the Lair.”

“What’s the Lair?” Tommy asked.

“The old Ritz hotel,” Kyle said. “Good, it’ll be easier to get him. I need you three to know that we do this according to my plan and the first item is, you can’t kill him until after I’ve gotten what information I need out of him.”

They each looked at each other and nodded.

“I suppose you’re looking for you wife?” Dana asked.

“Yeah, what do you know about it?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know for sure but I’ve heard they have several trading partners for slaves. One in the RMR, one in the Sinaloa Cartel territory and one in New Texas, Amarillo station,” Dana said with confidence.

“Do you know where?” Kyle asked hoping he could just bypass going after Barry and leave directly to go find Portia.

“I only know Amarillo Station as a specific locale, I’m not sure about the other two and I should be honest that I only got this second hand. Who knows what’s accurate?” Dana said.

“In the event Number Two is incapacitated, his right hand person, Cisco probably knows,” Cal said.

“Who the hell is Cisco?” Kyle asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” Cal said.

“I want Barry, period. He knows for sure, so again, he’s mine until I get what I want out of him.”

Cal gave the other two a look and faced Kyle, “You have our word, but if you want this to go smoothly you’ll need to follow our plan.”

“No way,” Kyle insisted.

“Then tell me how you plan on getting in there? He must have fifty guards posted on the outside and inside,” Cal said.

“If I remember right…”

Cal stopped him and said, “Dana here is Cook-Twenty-two and guess where she’s assigned?”

“The Lair," Kyle answered.

“Yes. Are you ready to listen to our plan?”

Tommy couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Kyle cut him a look and said, “Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

“Dana has a shift starting in two hours, but she normally goes in early to do prep work. Actually, Dana why don’t you explain what we’re going to do.”

“Before you do that, if you have this nailed down, why did you call Leviathan?” Tommy asked.

The three looked at each other with Cal explaining, “Because we need to make sure it gets done.”

“That means you don’t have a plan once we get inside?” Kyle asked.

“There are so many guards inside, we figured we needed a highly trained assassin versus, you know, us,” Cal said pointing at himself and the other two.

“Dana gets us in and from there you’re clueless?” Tommy asked.

“Not clueless, just outgunned,” Cal confessed.

“Here’s what I need to know, where is he in the building and what is the most direct route to him without taking the main elevators or the stairs which I presume will be guarded,” Tommy said.

“There’s a service elevator near the back. I’ll be driving a produce truck on site, you’ll hide underneath some boxes in the back. Once we’re in the loading dock area I’ll take you to a service elevator. Number Two is on the fifth floor,” Dana replied.

“And where’s his room from this service elevator?” Tommy asked.

“You’ll exit the elevator and turn right, you won’t miss where the room is because it’s heavily guarded,” Dana replied.

“How many guards you talking about?” Tommy asked.

“I’ve counted eight before, could be less,” Dana answered.

Tommy glanced at Kyle and asked, “You ready to bring you’re A game?”

“Always,” Kyle answered. “However, if we go onto that floor guns blazing we’ll get to Barry but we’ll have an army coming down on us in no time.”

Tommy walked away, grabbed a large bag and brought it back. He unzipped it, opened it wide and said, “This will help keep it a bit more low key.”

“Rifles and pistols all with suppressors, nice,” Kyle said.

“And I’ll cause a distraction,” Dana said.

The guys all looked at her as she unbuttoned her shirt to show her cleavage. “I was blessed with these things and I’ll use them.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Cal said.

“No, it’s a good idea,” Kyle said.

“But it puts her at risk. We specifically hired Leviathan to reduce our exposure,” Cal countered.

“I’ll be fine and this helps us, I can take care of myself,” Dana said as she buttoned her shirt back up.

“Men are fucking stupid animals and will go chasing a piece of ass any chance they can get. All she needs to do is lure a few of them away, to a room where we’ll be waiting, we’ll quietly take them out. Trust me, this is a good plan. I have to admit you guys are impressing me… finally,” Kyle said with a smile.

“I’m glad Dana’s sacrifice makes you feel better about us,” Cal growled. He looked at Dana and snapped, "This wasn’t the plan we agreed upon."

“No more arguing, this is a solid plan, I like it, I think Kyle’s on board too. All agree?” Tommy said.

Everyone nodded.

“Good, then we leave in forty-five minutes,” Kyle said.

Dana walked over to Kyle and said, “You’re an asshole but thanks for supporting my plan.”

“This is your idea?” Kyle asked.

“Yeah, the entire thing,” Dana replied clearly proud of herself.

“I’m impressed and don’t worry, we won’t let any of those guys hurt you. I just hope you’ll be able to pull a few of them away without incident.”

Dana jiggled her chest and said, “I won’t have any trouble doing that.”

“Line up and face out,” Earl hollered.

Portia and the other women did what he ordered.

Starting from the left, Candace worked her way down. “No, no, yes, no, yes, no, no, no, yes, yes.” She stepped in front of Portia and paused, “Sorry, sweetheart, you didn’t pass the grade.”

Before she could step off, Portia grabbed her hand and pulled her close, “My husband might come looking for me, give him this.” She put her wedding ring in her hand. “Tell him where I went. My name is Portia, it’s etched on the inside of the ring.”

“No talking!” Earl barked from the far end of the hall.

Candace’s heart melted for her. She wrestled her hand away and whispered, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Portia gazed at her left hand and the noticeable pale skin around her ring finger. Her mind went back to the day she and Kyle had gotten married and the first time he placed that ring on her hand. By giving the ring away, it was the last physical remnant of their love.

“Do you have a problem?” Earl asked appearing out of nowhere.

She snapped up and looked at him. “No problem, I just have to pee.”

Earl chewed on the twig in between his teeth and pondered. “Down there,” he said pointing to a doorway at the far end of the bar area.

“Thank you,” Portia said and scurried off. Once there she found a stall and closed the door behind her. Her heartrate was elevated and vertigo was setting in. “Pull it together,” she told herself.

The door to the bathroom opened.

Portia didn’t think about who might in the bathroom too until a tap on the stall door startled her. “It’s occupied.”

“Sweetheart, I’m all about helping other women, especially the ones in our predicament, but I think you left out a piece of critical information,” Candace said.

“What’s that?” Portia asked surprised Candace was eager to help.

“His name?”

Feeling stupid, she answered, “Kyle, his name is Kyle Grant.”

“Got it. Now you better hurry up before your guy comes in here and drags you out by your hair.”

Portia opened the stall door and peeked out.

“Come on, let’s take you back,” Candace said offering her hand.

“Why are you being so nice?” Portia asked taking Candace’s hand and exiting the stall.

“Because I was in your shoes once before,” Candace replied.