Terror beyond anything I had ever imagined gripped me. I was helpless, not even able to move my fingers. Dirt filled my mouth, nose, lungs. I couldn’t scream for help. My mind shattered.
And as my lungs burned hotter than coals, I shut down. It was as if my brain understood the inevitable. As if it gave up.
My one thought turned to Brett lying below me. If we were to be buried like this for eternity, I wish I had been lying next to him instead of standing at his feet.
I failed.
Brett was right, I shouldn’t have come. I should’ve gone home and hid in the closet where it was safe.
But then Brett would be here without me. He’d be in this hole, and I’d never find him.
Consciousness was fading when I felt it. A hand grasped mine, pulling me up. More hands were digging around me. Freed, I collapsed on the ground, spitting up hunks of dirt.
Rand touched my face, wiping soil from my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I got word from the Comets that they were nearly here. I stayed back to guide them. I’m so sorry.”
“Brett.”
“I don’t know where he is.”
“At the bottom.” I began coughing. Soil clung to my lungs, still suffocating them.
“He’s down there?” Rand pointed.
I nodded.
Rand hurried over and began scooping dirt with his hands, shouting for everyone to help.
They were all here. Mrs. Janowski and her biker brigade were here.
I watched as they all circled, lending a hand. But would they get to Brett in time? I wanted to help, but there was no room to squeeze in. The bikers were doing their best. I was straining just to breathe and keep my eyes open. If I was no longer buried, why did my lungs still think I was?
Arms curled around me, picking me up.
“No,” I wheezed, struggling to get down. “Brett.”
“Hush,” Evan ordered. “You have dirt trapped in your lungs. You’re slowly suffocating. Let me do my job.”
I stopped fighting, so thankful to see Evan. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he walked to the road. An ambulance was just pulling up, lights still flashing.
He told the EMT my condition in doctor language, handing me over. “Get her to ER now. Send another rig. We have one more coming.”
As soon as I was bustled into the truck, I passed out.
* * *
“It took too long to get him out,” a voice said. “Do you think he’ll survive?”
“I heard a nurse whisper that he might be a vegetable,” another voice replied.
“No, Evan thinks he’ll be okay,” a third voice added. “He started breathing on his own again.”
“From the way he had been lying, he shielded his face from the dirt. There must have been a pocket of air or he’d be dead for sure.”
“I hope he makes it. Poor Mars would be beside herself.”
“He’ll be fine. He’s strong as an ox.”
They were speaking of Brett. He was alive.
“Look. She’s waking up.”
Blinking my eyes open, I found six pairs of eyes staring back at me. The ladies, Rand and my dad were all gathered around me.
“How are you feeling?” Mrs. Janowski asked.
“Throat,” I rasped.
She nodded. “Just relax, and I’ll call for some ice chips.”
“You gave us a scare,” Dad said. He squeezed my hand.
“How . . . jail.” I began coughing.
Dad handed me a cup of water. “We weren’t there for very long. A few minutes tops.”
“Mrs. J. was able to clear up the mistaken identity pretty quickly,” Ida said.
“Hollered until I thought for sure she’d bring the roof down on us,” Edna said. She squeaked as her eyes widened.
It took me a moment to realize that she thought the reference might hit too close to the mark. But there was no roof for me. Only dirt. I patted her hand in an attempt to convey it was okay.
I scanned the white room with lavender trim. Flowers were set on a table off in a corner. Brett was in the bed next to me. A spot of dirt still on his neck. Tubes in his mouth and IVs in his arm.
“He’ll be just fine,” Dad said. “He began breathing as soon as we pulled him out. Evan said that was a really good sign.”
“Evan . . .” I must have swallowed razor blades as well as a half a ton of earth.
“He’ll be along soon,” Mrs. Janowski said. “He’s been working part time here as an aid.”
As my body and mind were slowly coming back to life, I realized I didn’t know what happened to the gatekeeper. I motioned for pen and paper, which was dug out from Mrs. Janowski’s purse and handed over. I began scribbling frantically.
What happened to the gatekeeper?
Eyes darted back and forth.
“He got away,” Dad said.
How?
“He must have heard us coming and took off,” Mrs. Janowski said.
No! We were back to where we started with even less time to spare.
How long have I been here?
“Just overnight,” Dad said. “It’s nine o’clock now.”
I glanced at the window. Light streamed through it. It must be morning, then. I only lost one night. Something could still be done. But what?
When can I be released?
“Evan seemed to think you wouldn’t have to stay long,” Ida said. “Maybe another night.”
That wasn’t going to work for me. No, I needed a plan, and it had to be executed tonight.
Executed.
Would I dare?
I glanced over at Brett, and the decision was made instantly. Too many good people were dying while the gatekeeper lived. Jack had said it before. Even behind bars he could still pull strings, using his hitmen as his outside muscle.
“You seem agitated,” Edna said. “Maybe a nap will do you good.”
From the general worried expression, my thoughts must have been coming through on my face.
I’m fine, but I will take a nap. Give me Brett’s cell phone before you go.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Mrs. Janowski said.
I’ll sleep better without six people staring at me.
“Why do you need Brett’s cell phone?” Dad asked.
I don’t have mine. I’ll feel better with it near me.
Edna shuffled over to the side table and brought it over. We both frowned when we realized it still had soil on it.
“I’ll get something to clean it with,” she said.
I shook my head. It was better like this. It’d help me keep my resolve.
Dad kissed my forehead. “We’ll be in the waiting room if you need us.”
I nodded, smiling. As they all turned to leave, I grabbed Rand’s hand. He looked down, surprised.
“Do you need something?”
I nodded and pointed to the chair, motioning for him to sit.
Call Lil, Mike, and Emily. Tell them to start packing.
“Packing?” he asked. “Where are they going?”
Get me Brett’s wallet.
“What are you trying to do?”
The gatekeeper is still alive. They have to get out of the country. Tell them it’s a vacation. A present from Brett.
“And what about you?”
Let’s take care of them first. Do they all have passports?
“Yes.”
You?
“I’m not going anywhere if you’re staying behind.”
I’m going too, but later. I have something to do first.
“Which worries me to no end.”
I liked it better when you hated me.
“I liked it better then too.”
Get me Brett’s wallet!
I underlined it three times.
He rolled his eyes but crossed over to Brett’s side of the room and retrieved the wallet.
On Brett’s phone, I made reservations for Lil, Mike, and Emily to go to Venice, Italy, using Brett’s credit card. I knew the gatekeeper would be able to track them, but it’d give them a head start. I made another reservation for Rand to catch up with them the following day and then sent the entire booking to Rand’s phone. He glanced at it.
“Venice?”
Emily will love it.
“Why would you care if she’d love it?”
Because you care.
“I’m starting to hate you again.”
Call them now. Tell them to hurry because the plane leaves in four hours. Have them overnight your passport. Brett’s too.
He muttered a curse but dialed and brought his phone to his ear. He walked to the window as he spoke with Mike first.
Now that he was occupied, I turned to Brett’s phone again, scrolling through his apps. I smiled when I found the one for his bank. Unfortunately, it required a password.
The security code at his “cabin” had been my birthday. Maybe it would be the same for his bank. I tried the date, but no luck. I then tried my name with no luck either. Only having one more attempt at his password before getting locked out completely, I looked to Brett. What could it be? Just because his security code had been my birthday didn’t mean the rest of his passwords had anything to do with me.
Staring at Brett for inspiration, I tried to think of what Brett loved. He loved his family. He loved me, even though he’d like to lock me away. And his car.
Viper.
I quickly typed it into the password field and held my breath as I clicked continue. It worked. I was into his account.
My mouth swung open as I stared at his account balance in shock. Over two million sat there. It was so much money. How many lives were turned upside down for this? Sure, the hits were still alive. But at what cost?
Two million dollars.
And now it’d be used for the same purpose.
Clicking back to the menu, I found the calculator app that Aaron had told me about. I briefly pondered what the password could be. But Brett’s codes were starting to become obvious. He created the account to find Eve’s killer. I typed in Eve’s name and was granted access. I read the two options. Accept assignment or Create assignment.
Create.
I filled in the information as I knew it. The hit would be for Carver aka Mr. Wispy aka Gatekeeper. The price on his head was two million. Proof of death required.
My finger hovered above the post button. Could I do this? Could I take another life so easily? And pay two million dollars! I knew if I did this, the price had to be high. I wanted the job done quickly, before Carver found out and retaliated. His retaliation would be brutal.
So, why did I hover?
He nearly killed Brett and me. I had to do this. There were no other options.
Rand brushed my hand aside and pressed “post.” The assignment was sent.
I looked up at him, questioningly.
“You don’t need a life of regrets,” he said. “The gatekeeper doesn’t deserve them.”
I’m not sure if I would’ve regretted it. I wanted him dead.
He sat on the edge of the bed. “Sometimes it’s better not to know how dark we are inside.”
I hugged him, silently thanking him for taking the choice out of my hands.
Within minutes of the post, there were more than ten acceptances.
I looked at Rand. May the best man win?
He nodded.
I sent each one the agreement with the knowledge that there were more hitmen in the running and only one would receive the payout.
“With any luck, they might wipe each other out,” Rand said.
How long do you think it’ll take before Carver finds out?
“He probably already knows but it’s too late for him to stop it.”
I better let T know. Just in case Carver tries to call in all of his markers.
T had no idea Brett was in the hospital. If I texted from Brett’s phone, he’d think it was Brett and I’d escape the one hundred questions I was sure to receive, plus whatever scolding was waiting for me.
Marked gatekeeper for hit. Get Kym and family to safety.
T responded with an affirmative, and I nearly laughed. It was so much easier talking to T while under guise of Brett. No questions. No arguments. Just an okay.
Now all I had to do was wait for Brett to wake up and get him out of here.
“Hey, sugar,” Evan said, walking into the room. “How are you feeling?”
I tapped my throat with a frown.
Rand stood from the bed and moved out of Evan’s way.
“Open,” Evan said, checking my mouth. “Looks red, but I don’t see any inflammation. Just give it a rest and eat lots of ice cream.”
I smiled.
“I miss you.” He took my hand, his thumb drifting over my fingers. “It’d be nice if you visited without landing in the hospital.”
I scowled at him, which only made him chuckle. Nodding over to Brett, I rose my brow in question.
“He was hit in the back of the head. Knocked him out. Thankfully he didn’t inhale any of the dirt like you did, so he’ll be up and about in no time. It might take a lot of sleep before he wakes up. His brain has to unscramble.”
“Doctor lingo?” I rasped.
“Getting my money’s worth out of Harvard.” He stared hard at me for a moment before he leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I do miss you, sugar. If you have time before you go, I’ll take you out to dinner.” He glanced over at Brett. “Him too, if you want.”
I hugged him. “Thank you,” I rasped. “For coming—”
He stopped me. “Save your voice. You know I’d do anything for you.” He straightened and walked to the door. “I have rounds. Don’t leave without saying good-bye.”
I nodded.
Rand looked between us curiously but didn’t comment, even after Evan had left.
I took up the notebook to write another note.
Tell my dad and the girls to go. They don’t have to wait for me.
“They want to wait.”
I shook my head.
It will be safer if they’re on the road.
“I’ll tell them, but they won’t agree.”
Make them agree.
“You’re becoming demanding,” he said, walking out the door.
I leaned back, letting my head fall to the pillow. Did I do everything I was supposed to? Were there any loose ends?
The Thompsons would be heading to the airport soon. T would look after Kym’s family. Dad and the girls would get on the road, distancing themselves from Carver’s reach, if only temporarily. Rand would be on the first flight tomorrow.
Only Brett and I remained. And until he woke up, we weren’t going anywhere.
For now, everything was taken care of.
Dad and ladies bustled in.
“What’s this about hitting the road?” Mrs. Janowski demanded.
There’s no reason to stay, I scribbled on the paper. I’ll wait here until Brett is released.
“Nonsense,” Ida said. “We’ll all wait here and then drive home together.”
I shook my head, looking to Rand for help.
Rand sighed. “I think what she’s trying to tell you is that she wants to be left alone with Brett.”
I nodded vigorously.
Mrs. Janowski frowned. “I don’t like leaving you here with the gatekeeper still on the loose.”
“I’ll be here,” Rand said. “Apparently, I’m waiting for my passport.”
Mrs. Janowski studied him for a moment. “Well, as long as one of you checks in daily.”
I nodded.
“I don’t like this, but I guess there’s no harm in leaving you in a hospital,” she said, then she looked at the ladies. “Might as well head home so we can roll out our next project.”
“Project?” I squeaked.
“The biker brigade did its job, but it also left its mark,” she said, rubbing her behind. “We’ve been thinking about something we could do from home.”
“You’ve been thinking,” Sylvia corrected.
Mrs. Janowski ignored her. “I’ve come up with the perfect name.”
My brows rose. If she already had a name, then her plan was as good as cemented.
“The Fearsome Foursome,” she announced.
I wanted to cry but then realized she said “foursome.” Not foursome and Mars. I was in the clear. Well, until her plan spiraled out of control and I was wrangled in. But for now, the foursome could go home.
They each gave me a peck on the cheek before taking their leave.
“Do you want me to go too?” Rand asked.
I shook my head. “Stay,” I whispered.
He sat down in the chair next to me. “Go to sleep. You look like shit.”
I was tired. I hadn’t realized how much until everyone had gone and there wasn’t anything to do but wait. I stared at Brett and wished he would move or blink. Do something to let me know he was okay. But there was nothing to reassure me except the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor.
Rand took my hand and gently squeezed it. “He’ll be fine. I knocked him around much worse than this when we were kids.”
I looked at Rand as if he was absurd. Even though Rand was the biggest of the pair, I doubted Brett ever landed in the hospital after a round. Maybe to the doctor for a cut or sprain.
“Go to sleep,” he ordered.
I closed my eyes but couldn’t sleep. I shook my head. “Too much dirt.”
Rand nodded in understanding. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Wait here? Where did he think I’d go?
Since I wasn’t going to close my eyes in the near future for fear of the earth swallowing me whole, I watched the rise and fall of Brett’s chest. It’d be so much nicer to be snuggled up in his bed than to watch him from a mile away. Had it not been for all the contraptions he was hooked up to, I might have attempted it.
I heard the door open but didn’t bother looking. It was probably just Rand or a nurse.
“Did you really think you could use my own hitmen against me?” The whispered question drenched me in frigged fear.
The gatekeeper was here.