Page 103 of First Surrender

“What are we doing next?” He asks out the back window of the car at our next stop while I’m pumping gas. Of course, ice cream wasn’t enough, he wants an adventure.

“I don’t know, I was going to head home.”

“Will Jackson be there?”

“I don’t know, I hope so.” I smile to myself as I get back in the car. Jackson Malec has turned me mushy.

A tow truck pulls into the gas station and pulls around to park at the empty pump ahead of me before I can pull out. It’s old and rusted, and the driver looks like a man you’d cross the street to get away from.

I watch through his side mirror as he reverses uncomfortably close to my front bumper. There’s a smirk on his face but I can’t see his eyes, I can’t tell if it’s directed at me.

My windows are still down but there isn’t any breeze to cause all the little hairs to stand up on the back of my neck suddenly.

I throw my gear shift into reverse to back out and away from this situation, but another truck pulls up behind me quickly, blocking my escape. Their windows are tinted, and I can’t see who is driving but my gut is already churning.

The story Jackson told me about Callie is rushing through my consciousness like a current.

Isolated highway.

Being taken.

Being trafficked.

We’re at a public gas station but it’s empty and the interstate beside us is dead because we’re on the outskirts of town.My fingers dial Jackson’s contact without my eyes leaving my mirrors.

“Hey, sweetheart, I have one more stop and then I’m on my way home.”His voice sounds far away in my ear as I watch the familiar lanky figure get out of the truck behind me.

Declan strolls to my window without a care in the world as my heart thunders in my chest.

I’m paralyzed. I don’t know what to do. Especially when a gun settles on the ledge of my window, pointed right at me.

“Nat? You there?”Jackson’s voice is still in my ear but no amount of strength can get me to respond. Dec’s with me, I can’t run, I can’t fight. Not if it will get him hurt.

Declan wags the gun at me, indicating for me to end the phone call. When my mouth gaps to say something, anything coherent, he extends his arm to point the black barrel at Dec. A little squeal erupts from the back seat as my baby brother realizes what’s happening.

“I’m sorry. I have to go.” I choke out the final words, barely stifling a sob. “I love you.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Jackson

Holiness Tabernacle. The long-time church of Reverend Porter. I insisted he be available for a meeting today because I’m ready to get answers from this family. If they’re involved then the crime ends today.

My phone rings as I pull into the church parking lot and I plan to ignore it until I see Nat’s name.

“Hey, sweetheart, I have one more stop and then I’m on my way home.”

Silence greets me. When she still doesn’t speak, I inspect my phone screen to confirm the call didn’t drop. “Nat? You there?”

I glance up to the church doors where the reverend stands patiently, waiting. His white robe reflects the sun brightly, but my eyes are drawn to his face. His glasses are darkened.

Transition lenses.

I’ve seen him before.

“I’m sorry. I have to go… I love you.”

She loves me.