Redemption: AmBw Romantic Suspense

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes. “Right outside of your place?”

“Yes.”

I squinted through the sunshine coming in my window. “What type of car?”

“Black van.”

“Are you sure no one’s inside the back too?”

“I don’t know, man. I’m fucking scared. I think they’re out there because of me trying to hack into the civilian agency site.”

And Wyatt had probably discovered his guns were missing and seen my note in the journal. Pain throbbed at my temples.

“I’m coming. Pack some clothes.”

“What?”

“You’re coming back to the house, until we figure out what happens.”

“Are you sure?”

“Even if I get rid of these guys, the agency has your address. They probably don’t know what you’re doing, but you don’t want these guys’ attention.”

“Okay. Could you hurry? I’m fucking going crazy.”

“I’ll be there.” I ended the phone call and rose. I’d already been in my black clothes from last night. I’d been so exhausted after the break-in and Ebony’s kiss.

I can’t have Kevin involved with this.

I went over to my closet and took the Glock and extra magazines out. I put the Glock in my waistband and magazines in my back pockets. Once I made it to the truck, I would place them under the seat. I just didn’t want the kids or Ebony to see them.

When I stepped into the hallway, I noticed Ebony’s bedroom door was opened. I peeked in. The beds were made, even the mattress on the floor. I sniffed the air as I headed downstairs. They’d cooked a while ago.

I checked my watch.

10:00am.

When I got to the kitchen, I found a note on the table.

Morning Yoshiro,

We’re at the house in the back, cleaning it up. I hope that’s okay.

Ebony.

I tucked the paper in my pocket, found another sheet of paper, and wrote my own note. I grabbed my coat, picking the thick, black trench.

Ebony,

My buddy called me about a problem. I’m going over there to help him. Do what you want with the back house. It’s yours.

Have a good day.

Yoshiro.

I wanted to say more like how I wished I could kiss her again. Or that the feel of her lips were imprinted on my mouth. And I was scared that after a while, that sensation would disappear. But the kids might’ve found it, and Ebony probably wasn’t ready to deal with those emotions yet. I had to take my time.

Outside, a cool breeze came. The storm had finally passed. Icy branches dripped. Piles of snow melted under sunlight.

I hurried to the truck, not wanting to bump into Ebony or the kids. I didn’t like the idea of lying to them. After their reactions last night, they would be worried for me.

It took around twenty minutes to get to Kevin’s place. More cars drove on the roads. Everybody was out this morning—school buses and grocery trucks. Cops and mail men. Everybody had to play catch up from the storm.

When I turned into Kevin’s road, I immediately spotted the van. Slowly driving by it, I noticed Wyatt’s car behind them. He sat in the driver’s side.

So. . .you’re here too, you piece of shit.

No one looked my way.

I continued on, made a left, and took the road that lead to the back of Kevin’s house. I pulled out my phone.

Kevin answered, after the first ring, “Yoshiro?”

“Do you have your clothes packed?”

“Yeah.”

“Something small?”

“Yeah, man. A book bag.”

“Okay. I’m coming for you. I’ll be at the back door.” I parked on the side of the road. “I saw the van. Wyatt’s is in the blue car behind it.”

“Shit. So, it is about my hacking?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“I’m taking the laptop.”

“Go ahead. But, be quick.” I ended the phone call, grabbed the Glock, and magazines. They would stay on me but be hidden with the trench.

The agency must’ve tracked Kevin’s IP address. Kevin had been looking into Wyatt, so they must’ve notified him. Being that I’d broken into Selena’s place and took his weapons, Wyatt would want to look into it himself.

I ran across the street, hurried through the side of Kevin’s back neighbor’s house. Thankfully, most of the people knew me in the neighborhood. He lived in Bachelor heaven. Small houses and studio apartments full of single men. A lot of them had served in the military. The government had bought up the blocks to house homeless and disabled male veterans. The majority also frequented Titty Palace. They wouldn’t have called the cops, if they noticed me running around the blocks. They knew I was a friend to Kevin, and Kevin represented the mayor of this area.

My phone rang.

I pulled it out and saw Kevin’s name on the screen.

Close to his house, I ducked behind a bush, lowered to the ground, and answered. “What’s up?”

“Two are in the back. One is at the front door knocking.”

“Don’t answer.”

“Of course not.”

“Get in the area of the back door, but don’t stay next to it. Lay on the floor.”