I want to ask, but that seems neither here nor there at the moment.
“It’s still reinforced, even if the new owners just think I was some kind of doomsday prepper. They’ll be at work right now. It’s the safest place to take Madeline—the one place whoever this is, is least likely to know about.”
“Maddy, I’m coming. I’m already on the road.”
“I know, Javi. Just hurry.”
“I will, little one.”
I’d give anything to hear him call mechiquitaright now.
“Elle, behind us!”
I watch as a car comes around the bend we just took. They’re driving as fast as we are, so I know these aren’t people who live along this road. They’re definitely pursuing us.
“Javier, tell your uncle where we’re going.”
“I will, but he doesn’t have his phone on. It’ll be from the sat. Expect it to be a foreign number.”
I suppose Javier means Enrique will call back from the satellite phone. I’m getting a crash course in shit that was only whispered around me when I was with Drew. I always suspected they had some type of satellite phone for when they were at the barn, since I knew they turned off their own phones.
“They’re getting closer, Elle.”
“There’s a 9mm back there. If you pull up the spare tire cover, you’ll find other weapons. If you’re not comfortable with the rifle, then grab one.”
One? Just how many other weapons does she have? I lower the back seat like she told me and scramble into the trunk, so Ican lift the lid to the compartment where the spare tire is kept. It’s there, but I also see a bag that fits into the center of the well. I pull at it, not expecting it to be as heavy as it is.
Metal clanks against itself before I unzip it and find a veritable arsenal in here. There’s a disassembled shotgun, a disassembled rifle, at least three handguns I can see, and I suspect several knives. The bag is larger than I expected.
I look over my shoulder at Elle, who meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. The look she gives me is a hardened one. This isn’t the easygoing woman who offered me something to eat twenty minutes ago. This is a woman who could be a cartel leader. I don’t even know what the female version ofjefeis. Maybe that’s gender neutral.
I force myself to concentrate again as I consider my options among the handguns. I choose a 9mm similar to what she has up front, but I check the other ones as well. I’m comfortable with all of them and can easily switch among them before I need to reload.
“Elle, they’re close enough I can see the outline of their bodies.”
“Maddy, get down!”
Javi’s shouting commands at me, but I ignore him when Elle shakes her head. I hadn’t realized neither of them hung up. The glass in front of me lowers. This is one of the few SUVs that has a back window that winds down. It makes me wonder if the reason Elle has this particular make and model is for something like this.
I steady my hand by cupping it with my other. I aim for the front tires and take each out. The vehicle careens off to the side and nails a tree but not before the passengers open their doors. However, they’re unable to get out when the airbags inflate. It gives us more time.
“Maddy, what was that? What’s going on?”
Before I can answer, I hear the beeps from another call.
“Javier, that’s your uncle. I have to go.”
“Madeline, do you still have your phone?”
The urgency in Javier’s voice conveys his near panic as much as him using my full name.
“Yes, I’ll call you when I get to Elle’s house. I don’t want to talk over her when she tries to speak to Enrique.”
“All right. Maddy, I love you.”
“I love you too, Javi.”
This isn’t how I wanted to admit my feelings, and I doubt it’s how he wanted to, either. But if this could be the last time we talk, then neither of us wants to go without the other knowing. These aren’t emotions that have come out of nowhere. They’re just ones that came back to life after lying dormant for so long. They’re ones that have matured into something more than they originally were.
