Page 111 of Stolen Dreams
Thank goodness.
But as quickly as relief floods my veins, it vanishes.
I get a better look at the man and Tucker as they sidle up to Brianna. With broad shoulders, thick muscles, and pure malice etched into his features, the man’s presence screamsdon’t fuckwith me or I’ll kill you.He holds Tucker by the back of his shirt. In his other hand, lazily at his side, is a hunting knife.
“Here he is,” the man shouts as he thrusts Tucker forward, but not letting him go.
Tucker whimpers, and the sound shreds a piece of my soul.
“Now give me the fucking money, or I’ll take matters into my own hands.” He lifts the hand holding the knife and waves it.
My heart plummets as I look from Tucker to the man. “Don’t hurt him.” The backs of my eyes sting as my throat closes. “I’ll toss the bag if you release him.” I lift a hand in surrender. “No games, I swear.” I extend my arm and hold out the bag. “Just, please, don’t hurt him.”
Brianna nudges the man and says something I can’t hear. The man’s jaw flexes a beat before he says something back to her.
“On three, you toss the bag and I’ll let him go,” the man states.
“On three,” I repeat.
He starts counting, the moment he reaches three, I swing my arm back then forward and let the bag fly.
Tucker runs my way, slams into me, and wraps his arms around my waist. I hug him harder than any other time, bend at the waist, and whisper in his ear so only he hears.
“I love you so much, bud.” I stroke his hair. “But I need you to run for the building.”
He startles in my arms.
“Kaya, Grandma, and Papa RJ are in there. I need you to go until this is over.” I kiss his hair. “Now, bud. Please.”
As I straighten my spine, I relax my hold on Tucker. Tears spilling down his cheeks and chin wobbling, he looks up at me and nods. And then he bolts for the building.
In my periphery, the man lunges forward with the knife. Time stutters to a stop as he dives toward Tucker.
In a microsecond, I die a thousand deaths while being hit with the sudden urge to take a life.
Time speeds back up as he misses Tucker and falls to the ground. Knuckles burning, I rush forward with the intent to beat this man until he no longer breathes. But I never land a punch.
Out of nowhere, Brianna collides with him. The man tries to shove her off, but she locks her legs around his waist. They tumble in the dirt, two different metals glinting in the headlights as they roll and punch and fight for dominance.
Stepping back, I glance toward Tucker, who has paused at the top of the stairs on the platform. I jog over to him and wrap him in my arms again. Kiss his hair. “Don’t watch, bud.” I give him one last squeeze and point to where I know my family waits. “Go find Kaya, Grandma, and Papa RJ.”
“I’m scared.”
I frame his small face with my hands. “Me too, bud. It’ll be over soon. Go.”
Grunts and wails bounce off the building as I turn back and slowly make my way back down. Fists clenched at my sides, I keep my distance. The tussle between Brianna and the man slows until it stops altogether. The first sign of blood stains Brianna’s shirt and the ground.
I approach on slow feet, my eyes darting from him to her while also searching for the knife.
Who is bleeding?
Are they dead?
Will someone lunge if I get close enough?
Brianna is dead weight as she lies on top of him.
I take another step and she stirs, a gurgled groan breaking the silence. I freeze, then step back.