Page 76 of Malachi
“What are we going to do?” Gideon asked, turning the chatter of small talk into a question directed straight at Levi.
“We need a plan,” Levi sighed.
“I thought we had a plan,” Ollie argued. I couldn’t blame him. We had one, but as Levi and I locked eyes, I knew the truth. That plan was fine unless it unraveled. If tonight had taught us anything, it was that we needed more than one plan.
“It’s time for a Plan B,” Levi began.
“Ought to come with a plan c, d, e and f, while we’re at it,” I scoffed.
“Tonight has shown us that we aren’t as safe as we thought,” Levi continued.
“I didn’t exactly think we were safe to begin with, but tonight… fuck,” Ollie exclaimed softly.
“So what is Plan B?” Ruth asked. Ever the voice of reason, her fortitude surprised me. She was a strong woman, I knew that well enough, but to see her face this problem head on only further proved that she and my brother were a great match.
“We need a plan to get out of here fast, if need be,” I said through clenched teeth.
“How do we do that?” Delilah asked, sitting between Talia and Ollie.
“We each need to pack a bag. One bag, preferably one you can carry,” I began.
“Malachi is right. A go bag, so to speak. Only bare essentials. I don’t want it to come to that, but if shit hits the fan, we need to be ready to go,” Levi agreed.
“But what about the children?” Talia’s soft voice called out.
“We wouldn’t be able to help them anyway if things really turn to shit,” Zeke stated, soothing his wife with a hand on her back.
“Didn’t things turn to shit tonight? Why aren’t we leaving now?” Delilah argued, looking to where Naomi sat on a chair, her feet tucked up under her, her arms wrapped around her knees so that she looked more like a human ball.
“Shit definitely hit the fan tonight, but I don’t think we are in imminent danger,” Levi tried.
“Bullshit, we aren’t,” Gideon scoffed. “They torched my boat, Levi.”
“I know they did, but if you ask me, they believe they got their point across. If we lay low and keep our heads down, I think we’re okay for the time being. But we need that proof, and we need it now,” Levi responded.
“So we each pack a bag, and then what? If things go bad, what do we do?” Talia asked. I could see her mentally processing this situation.
“We leave. Each of us,” Levi turned to the brothers as he spoke, “We take our wives individually and leave.”
“Where do we go? Do we just high tail out? Do we meet up outside of here?” Ollie asked.
“That’s a good point,” Zeke agreed.
“Do we meet up in St. George?” Ollie suggested. I shook my head, already mentally disagreeing with him. Levi seemed to be on the same page.
“No, that’s too obvious, and far too close to home,” Levi said. “It wouldn’t take them long to find us there. And that’s the last thing any of us need, especially if it comes to this plan.”
“Okay, so further away. Another town away, or further,” Ollie tried again.
“Further, I think,” Zeke added, gently squeezing Talia’s hand in comfort. Both she and Naomi seemed more affected than anyone else in the room, Gideon included.
“I would agree. That’s the safest bet,” Ruth interjected.
“How far away is far enough, though? These men are monsters,” Delilah groaned. “It feels like nowhere will be far enough.”
“Delilah is right. How far is far enough to be rid of this place?” Naomi uttered under her breath. She pressed her lips against her knees, hiding herself away as she rocked back and forth almost imperceptibly.
“Phoenix, Arizona. That’s where we will meet. Lynette has a friend, one I’ve met before, who lives there. He can be trusted. I will send each of you the address. We meet there and we make a plan from there,” Levi finally stated with a sigh.
