Page 18 of Snow Good to Lose
I gave in to the lull created by the rhythm of the truck as it sped down the highway. I set my gun under the seat and laid across the bench seat with my head in Caden’s lap.
I stared up at him. His eyes remained focused on the road. If he was tired, he didn’t show it. He rubbed his knuckles across my cheek. I took his hand and kissed his palm. I drifted off to sleep with more questions than answers.
* * *
My eyes poppedopen as we slowed down. It was pitch black outside.
Caden pulled off the side of the road into a small clearing. He ran his hand through my braids and leaned down to kiss my cheek. I turned my head, and he kissed my lips. I tightened my grip on his thigh.
I pulled myself up and wrapped my arms around him. The first signs of weariness played across his face. I massaged his temples. He closed his eyes and groaned.
“Where are we?” I looked around.
Caden pulled my arms down and opened the door. I grabbed him. “Where are you going?”
“Hey, it’s okay.” He held his hand up. “I’m just going to fill the tank up and then we’ll be on our way again.”
“I’m coming with you.” I climbed out of the driver’s side and followed him to the back of the truck. Caden pulled off the tarp and unhooked the two tanks of gas secured to the side. He thought of everything.
“It’ll take two seconds.” He unscrewed the cap and flipped it over to reveal the pouring nozzle. While he filled the tank, I moved to the back of the truck. I unzipped one bag to see what he brought. More guns and rolled up items of clothes.
I grabbed my purse off the floor of the front seat and shoved it into one of the duffels.
I pulled one of Caden’s sweatshirts out of the bag and pulled it on over my head. The air was thick, but cool. We were near the water. I smelled the salt in the air.Cars continued to drive by, one or two every couple of minutes.As Caden finished up with the gas, a four-door sedan slowed down and pulled into the clearing.
“Amari, get back in the truck.” Caden shouted and grabbed the gun from his waistband. He cocked his gun; the sound echoed in the clearing.
I grabbed a gun from the duffle bag. I no longer felt the chill in the air. My senses were awake and sharpened by the pending danger. They drove around our truck and stopped in front of us, a couple feet from our front bumper. My eyes adjusted to the darkness.
Maybe it was a Good Samaritan offering to help. Plausible idea if he hadn’t crept in without his headlights on.
“Mari.” Caden grunted.
I shook my head and turned my attention back to the car.
Two men got out of the car. They spoke in quick Spanish. I caught a few words. A well-dressed guy in a button-down white shirt and dark slacks got out the passenger side. The second guy appeared smaller and younger, wearing a hoodie and baggy cargo pants.
“Can we be of assistance?” The younger guy’s heavy Spanish accent made it hard to understand.
“Naw man, we good.” Caden accented his words with a stern scowl. He stepped forward. I creeped down the passenger side but stopped once I reached the door.
“Ah, bonita señorita, you okay?” He looked between Caden and I.
A squeak escaped my throat. That was new. The gun weighed a ton in my hand. I kept it out of sight, watched, and kept my mouth shut.
I focused on Caden. If they engaged, I knew what to do. Scenarios ran through my mind. Caden trained me for every contingency.
Seconds passed in silence, but time slowed in my head.
“I said we’re good.” Caden’s strength gave me strength. I had his back, although a small part of me wanted to do something super girly like run away screaming my head off. I stepped forward parallel to Caden, able to use the front of the truck as cover if bullets started flying. “You guys can be on your way.”
The older guy took a knife out of his pocket and cleaned his nails with it.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t do that.” He nodded to his friend with a huge grin on his face. “We are actually here for you.” He pointed the knife at Caden.
The short guy pulled out a cigarette and flipped open a lighter.
The flame illuminated his face. He had a small pockmarked face and deep-set eyes. He smiled at me and I turned away. He flashed me a snarled smile. I shuddered and willed my heart to slow down.
