The Intrusion: Baltin Prequel by Melissa Riddell

Author:Melissa Riddell [Riddell, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-30T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

When the sun is about an hour from the horizon, Daddy informs me it’s time to head out. He turns to Mamma. “You keep this door locked and the Remington right by your side, okay?”

She nods, her face giving away nothing. Ever since she shot at Leonard and his men, she seems tougher, more determined, and less anxious. It’s as if the act awoke a harsher side of her.

“I’ll be fine, Ricky.” She presses a kiss to his lips.

“Ugh.” I roll my eyes. “Get a room.”

He returns the kiss. “Use the flare if you need anything, okay?”

“I will.”

Kat skips from my bedroom into the living room, the candle on the coffee table whipping in a frenzy from the sudden rush of air. “Sarah, can we play this?” She holds out a pack of UNO cards.

“Yes, but first we’re going to do some canning.” Mamma smiles at Kat, whose face falls a fraction.

I try not to snicker.

“I love you, Ricky and Tilly.” Mamma grabs me and smashes me into her arms with a quick hug. “Be careful out there and don’t take any risks, okay?”

“I have no plan of putting myself or Half-pint in unnecessary danger.” Daddy swivels to Max, who stands a few feet away. “Got your gun, son?”

“Yessir.” He pats the holster under the thin, long-sleeved shirt he wears over a t-shirt.

“Then let’s get the hell outta here and get you two acquainted with the rest of the evening shift.”

He opens the door, and Max and I grin big, goofy smiles at each other.

Excitement dances in his eyes, and I imagine he sees the same thing in mine. He jerks something from his pocket, and before I can react, his stress ball hits me in the forehead.

“Ow.” My smile drops and I push his shoulder. “That hurt, asshole.”

With a lightning move, he stuffs it into his front pocket before Daddy fully turns toward us.

“Come on, Lookout.” Max gives me a sly smile, his eyes lit with mischief. “Better not be tripping over those big feet tonight, or you might shoot yourself.”

“Watch it, Max, or I might shoot you.”

Daddy rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Don’t you two start tonight. If you want to be included with the adults, then act like one.”

Max and I both mumble agreement, and I try not to give him a glare.

The shift changes generally take place at designated entry points, so my group heads to the north barricade. By the time we reach the area, it’s dark.

Daddy lights a small kerosene lamp, and it hangs from his handlebars, swaying gently and throwing enough golden light to see several feet ahead.

A few of the nearby houses show faint light through the curtains, but most are locked up and dark. On the porch of one, a candle glows, revealing the silhouette of a person sitting in a rocking chair.

He stands. “That you, Ricky?” The man’s voice is low and even.

“Yeah, Stan. About to relieve the day shift. Everything okay over here?” Daddy stops at the edge of the curb, and Max and I do the same.

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