Page 21 of Russian Daddy

“But what about Bob and everyone else in town? See, that’s what I’m talking about.”

Torin’s expression quickly switches to one of frustration. “It’s family first, Mama. There’s no way I can protect the whole town.”

“I don’t expect you to. That’s not what I meant.”

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. Looks like that’s what I’m gonna have to do.”

“Torin? What does that mean?” she asks but his phone receives a notification I’ve never heard before. He removes it from his pocket, glances at it, then scans the empty dining room.

“Let’s finish up, please. It’s time to go,” he says and places the phone screen side down on the table.

I reach under the table and place my hand in his. He looks at me and smiles.

“Is everything alright?” I whisper.

“Yes, baby. I’m just a little tense. I promise.” He tries to assure me, but I know there’s more to it than that.

Marta and I wait by the door as Torin takes care of the bill. I see him slip his phone out of his pocket and check it again. Then, he turns and takes us both by the arm, escorting us outside.

He looks up and down the street twice before proceeding to the car. He helps Marta into the passenger seat and closes the door while I start to get into the back. A thunderous crash stops me, and I bang my head on the roof of the car.

“What was that?” I scream.

“Get in the car,” Torin calls back as he reopens the passenger side door and digs for something in my glove compartment.

“Son, what is that? Why do you have that?” Marta yells as Torin rises with a revolver in his hand.

He walks toward me, and my heart sticks in my throat.

“Get in the car, Tess.” He pulls the door open and waits for me to do as I’m told.

Another thunderous boom and the night sky flashes in hues of orange and yellow. Flames break through the windows of the restaurant we just walked out of. Torin steps into the street but stops when he hears his mother call out to him.

“Where are you going? Get back here!” she shouts.

He turns, looks back at the car, and says, “There are people in there. I’m just doing what you told me to do. I’m gonna protect them.”

I think I’m in shock but I can’t take my eyes off the front of the restaurant. Torin enters through the front door, and I hear three loud bangs. Gunfire.

Why is he firing inside the restaurant? I hold my breath and then gasp when the door flies open and I watch Torin drag Bob, the waitress, and the cookout to the sidewalk and across the street. Once they’ve all been brought to safety, he runs back toward the blazing building, but instead of going inside, he rushes down the alley beside it.

We hear the sirens as the fire department approaches, and Marta and I get out of the car to check on Bob and his staff. We watch as the two tanker trucks pull up to the fire, and the fireman jumps out.

I can’t see around the big trucks to know if Torin has returned from the alley, so I cross the street. The smoke is blinding but a figure emerges from the side of the building. I strain my eyes as I pray that it’s Torin. It isn’t. It’s the same man who tried to accost me in the school parking lot. I turn to run from him but plant my face in the chest of another man who snuck up on me from behind. He smells of onions and cheap cologne, and I feel my stomach begin to churn.

The second man shoves something in my face, and the world fades to black. I can still hear the sirens and try to call out to Torin for help, but as hard as I try, I can’t seem to make a sound.

9

TORIN

The GPS tracker that I placed on the black sedan notified me when the car left its parking spot at the seedy motel.

When I checked, it was heading right into town. I thought I could get Mom and Tess out of there before they arrived, but I cut it a little short. The punk who set the fire is still inside when I go back in. He turns and fires at me but misses.

This game has gone on long enough now, so I fire back. One thing about me is I never miss. He hits the floor, and I call out to the civilians who are still inside. They rush out of the kitchen with terror in their eyes.

“Go outside,” I shout.

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