Page 69 of Jobe

The figure tucked the gun back into his pants and stepped quickly around her, kneeling over Gabby. “No intention of killing you,” he said, as he placed his hands on her stomach. He looked up at Mackenna, his face no longer in shadow, and she saw the handsome face of a large, Hispanic man, kindness in his eyes.

“You’re Alvarez’s. Jobe’s woman, right?”

She stood numbly at his words, staring down. Licking her lips, she said nothing.

“Name’s Tank for now,” he said. “I’m undercover. Worked with a couple of friends of yours. Shane and Matt.”

“Oh, my God,” she breathed as she dropped to the ground next to him as he checked out Gabby. “You…you’re here to help?”

“Yes, the police know I’m here and that some of the Sixers were planning on hitting your facility tonight. I’m supposed to be out with them, but followed you here.”

“Can you help her?”

“Yeah, I can stay with her and keep her safe. If I have to, I can even take her on my motorcycle that’s parked over there,” he said, nodding off to the left.

Mackenna thought for only a few seconds, before saying, “Do it. Get her out of here. I’m sure whoever is after us, is after her and you’ve got to get her safe.”

Tank looked down, his expression torn in indecision. “I can’t leave you here,” he growled.

“I’ll be okay,” she said, hoping it was true. “Get her to safety and I’m going to find a place to hide.” She stood quickly and then touched his shoulder. “Thank you. As soon as you can, tell Matt and Shane that the other three women headed down 42ndStreet to find anyone who can help.”

“Will do,” he said, standing with one arm around Gabby, assisting her as well.

Mackenna saw regret in his eyes. Placing her hand on his arm, she offered a small smile of gratitude. “Thank you. For…everything.” With that, she turned and started to head toward a small grove of trees.

Tank called back softly. He left Gabby and hustled over to Mackenna, pulling out his weapon as he approached. Turning it backward, he handed it to her. “Can you use this?”

Nodding, she stepped forward, taking the gun out of his hands. “Yeah, I think so.”

He gave her quick instructions and then smiled. “It’s not a baseball bat, but it’ll do.” With that, he rushed back over to Gabby and picked her pregnant form up effortlessly in his arms and jogged off to where his motorcycle was parked.

Mackenna stood momentarily in the shadow of a large tree, the eerie stillness of the night punctuated only by the sounds of far-off sirens and voices that were not too far away. And the rumble of thunder. Her heart pounded, as she ran between the trees, hoping for a place to hide until Jobe could get to her.

Alone. Utterly alone.That thought was broken by her hand gently rubbing her still flat stomach.No, not alone, little one.Vowing to protect her baby, she ran into the copse.

23

Jobe bounded out of the van into the underground garage of Alvarez Security, closely followed by Gabe and Vinny. Tony and Doug were waiting for him as he ran over to suit up. The Kevlar vests were quickly donned, their weapons were already secured in the SUVs.

“Matt and Shane are on their way, that’s why I had you continue here to get your equipment.”

Matt had called Tony as soon as the alert came to them that the New Beginnings Center was being invaded. Since Jobe, Gabe, and Vinny were almost back from the new location’s job, Tony informed them and ordered them in.

“Gabe, ride with Doug. Check the center first. I know EMTs were on their way, but I want Terrance checked out by you. Vinny, you’re our best marksman. You go with Jobe and me heading to the back of the center. Let’s roll,” Tony barked.

The men quickly headed out, Jobe’s heart pounding with fear. Trapped in a nightmare ever since Mackenna called him, he tried to focus on the mission of getting her out safely, but could not gain control. Attempting to steady his breathing, he fell short of that goal, feeling his vest choking him.

Leaning over, he placed his head in his hands, trying to force the discipline that years in the military honed. But his mind was filled with her.Her eyes when she laughed. Or filled with tears. The silly noises she would make when telling a joke. Or the warmth when looking at her mom…or him.Licking his lips, he allowed visions of her to consume him.To hell with control. This was about his life. This was about her.

They drove by the center, now filled with police, and saw Gabe and Doug entering the building that had been secured by the gang task force. Within a minute, Gabe came over the radio, informing them all that Terrance and Little John were alive.

Matt radioed that three of the girls had been rescued and he and Shane were near the park, in pursuit of suspects. Jerika, Tina, and Jenita had been found after running into an open bar yelling for the police. The patrons had immediately assisted them and they were now picked up by other detectives.

All of the news was positive, but Jobe felt none of it. So far nothing had come in about Mackenna. Tony jerked the SUV to a stop at one of the side streets bordering the city’s one hundred acre park. Grabbing their weapons and night vision goggles, the men exited in haste, running toward Shane and Matt.

“What’ve you got?” Jobe barked.

“One of our undercover detectives, who’d infiltrated the Sixers, found Mackenna and Gabby. Gabby may have gone into labor, so he took her and made it to the hospital.”

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