chapter with no one the wiser.”
I stare at the gleam in his eyes at all this talk of death and destruction of families of men who used to be his brothers. I can’t help asking, “And why are you doing this?”
“Revenge, baby doll, same as your old man. I want my damn colors back. Those sons of bitches took ‘em from me the day they killed Rat. I didn’t have a fuckin’ thing to do with that bullshit.”
“So, you weren’t in on him setting up my father?”
“Nope.”
There’s something in his eyes that I don’t trust. I wonder if he’s playing my father to get back in… maybe take him out and take his chair at the head of the table. I wonder if Growler is using him as well, and will cast Reload aside the minute he’s no longer of use. Jesus, it’s worse than a Shakespearean play, full of double-crossing and intrigue.
Suddenly he grabs my arm. “Why don’t you come back to my place? You and me could have some fun tonight.”
I try to yank free, but his hold only tightens. “No thanks. Not interested.”
“You’re father’s gonna make me his VP.” His free hand strokes down my hair, his eyes focused on the silky strands running through his fingers. “Sure wouldn’t mind havin’ an ol’ lady like you. Bet I could even get Growler’s approval. How’s that sound, baby? You and me?”
I struggle, and he digs his fingers harder, breaking skin. His other hand jerks my head back with a fist in my hair.
“Let me go, or I’ll scream,” I warn.
He chuckles. “Who’s gonna save you? That old caretaker?”
My scalp stings, and I fight back tears, knowing they’ll only hinder my vision. Thinking fast, I knee him in the balls, and he releases me, doubling over, but his fist swings out and catches me in the cheek. Pain explodes across the side of my face. I stumble, and suddenly Hayley’s next to me, the gun in her two clenched hands, her arms locked straight.
“Touch her again, motherfucker, and I’ll shoot your dick off.”
Reload staggers forward, focusing on this new threat. He huffs out another laugh. “Think your little peashooter’s gonna stop me?”
She squeezes the trigger, hitting the ground at his feet. That stops him, but he glares at me. “This ain’t over darlin’. I’ll be seein’ you again real soon. I’ll make sure your old man hands you over to me on a silver platter.”
A flashlight flicks on back by the visitor center, and a voice calls out. “Who’s out here? I called the police!”
When Reload turns to look back, Hayley and I both dart into the shadows and run through the bushes. We zigzag through the graves, using anything we can find for cover. I can hear Reload behind us, cursing, but his voice is growing more distant.
I run until I get a stitch in my side. Bending over and holding it with one hand, I grab at Hayley’s sleeve. “Hold up.”
We hide behind a crypt and fight to catch our breath, both heaving. I’m terrified that Reload is right this second hightailing it down one of these paths, straight for us. I spot the gate in the wall about fifty yards away. I gesture to Hayley and point. She nods.
We’re about to move again when she grabs my arm and hauls me back against the crypt wall. She puts her finger to her mouth and jerks her head toward the side, her eyes wide.
I lean to look and see a shadowy figure moving quickly down the brick path that leads straight to the same gate. It has to be Reload. He’s limping, and I’m glad I kneed him where it hurt.
A moment later, he’s over the gate and gone, his booted steps fading into the night.
I put my hands on my knees and bend over, feeling lightheaded and nauseous.
Hayley rubs my back and whispers, “He’s gone now. Are you okay?”
We see a dancing, bobbing light on the path and flatten against the wall again. I peer over and see the caretaker coming down the path. He flashes the light along the wall and shakes the gate. It clanks, proving it’s still padlocked.
He peers over the top, watching for a minute before heading back toward the visitor center.
As soon as we’re sure he’s gone, we hightail it out of there.
We jump in the car, and Hayley peels out of the parking lot. Neither of us says a word until we’re up on the interstate heading toward Sandy Springs.
Finally