It’s only a split second later my fingers land on the vest I’m wearing beneath my jacket.I’m not bleeding to death.It might be hard to breathe, but I’m not fatally wounded.
Drew’s trying to get to me. My father turns the gun back on him and is pushing him into the car.
I’ve got no time.I stretch out my hand, pull the knife from its ankle sheath, aim just how Tse had shown me and throw it. Theblade catches my father in the back. The shock causes him to drop the gun. Thinking quickly, Drew grabs it, and now he’s turned the tables on the man who was going to kidnap him.
Getting to my feet, ignoring the pain, I stumble over, taking the gun from Drew. My father’s gasping, trying to turn around and pull out the knife that’s protruding from under his left shoulder blade.
“This is him, isn’t it?” Drew’s caught on fast. “This is the sperm donor.”
“I’m your father.”El Procurador’s voice isn’t as strong as I’ve heard it before.
“Shoot him, Ma.”
My mind races through the facts. Sure,El Procurador’s a known and wanted criminal. But I’m on very dodgy ground here. What would the authorities say if I killed him? And if he was dead, my asylum case might be closed. Better keep him alive for now. “We’ll take him back to the compound. You drive, Drew.” To my father, I say, “Move.”
“I shot you.” He makes another effort, this time managing to pull the knife out, and tosses it.
“Pick it up, Drew,” I don’t want to leave any evidence. That bloody knife’s got my fingerprints all over it.
He does, then backs away to the car.
I motion with the gun. “Move,” I repeat.
“What does it take to fuckin’ kill you, bitch?” My father’s enraged.
The blood starts to flow faster now that he’s pulled the blade out. He’s going pale. Drew’s gone to his car and has popped the trunk. It’s a good idea, but I don’t think my father would fit, even if we could manage to force him in there. I open my mouth to tell him, but my brother’s got other ideas. My mouth drops open when I see what he’s brought back.
“What?” he asks innocently, then grins. “Blade said I should be ready for all eventualities.”
I’m really not at all sure why Blade had advised my brother to carry zip ties in his car, but I’m so pleased he did. If we survive this, a lot of thanks are due to the enforcer. My bullet-proof vest and the blade he gave me have come in handy today.
Drew’s strong. He yanks our weakening father’s arms behind him, and has his hands tied together in seconds. Then he pushes him, hard, towards the car.
“I won’t hesitate to shoot you,” I tell him, my tone leaving no doubt.
“Where are you taking me? What are you going to do with me? You’ll kill me anyway, why not do it here?”
“I won’t kill you.” I might not know much about them, but I think the Satan’s Devils will make him hurt more than a single bullet would. “So get in the car if you want to live.”
“Patricide doesn’t suit you.” He gives me an assessing look. “You’re not a killer.”
“Proves I don’t take after you. And neither does Drew. Now get in.” I’m getting nervous someone might see me. The coach must be finishing up soon.
After a calculating look, which I interpret as he’s weighing up his chances of somehow being able to take his son, at last he slides awkwardly into the back seat. Drew gets in the driver’s side, I get in the passenger seat, turning so my gun is trained on my father.
“Drive carefully, Drew.” I don’t want to get pulled over on the way.
Holding the gun one handed, I reach into my purse for my phone. I place my call. “Tse, I’ve gotEl Procurador. We’re bringing him back to the compound.”
Tse’s exclamation all but deafens me.
“We’re both okay,” I reassure him. “I’ll see you soon. Love you, Tse. But I have to go. I need to keep this gun trained on him.”
I end the call, not wanting to have any distraction.
I can feel how tense Drew is as he follows my instructions and makes sure he stops well in time at every red light, proceeding through junctions carefully. When we’re out of town and on the I10, I breathe a sigh of relief. Then we’re turning up the track which leads to the compound.
The gates are already open. Blade and Tse are standing waiting. I get out of the car, hand the gun to Blade and collapse into my man’s arms. I don’t know why, but tears are falling and I can’t stop shaking. The pain in my stomach, ignored up to now, returns with a vengeance. I feel weak as a kitten.
