Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

SHEP

I'd helped Lizzy with the crowd until there were only two people in line.

"I need to get back. Holler if you get swamped."

She nodded. "Sure thing, Boss. Everything okay?"

"Absolutely." I smiled and left her there staring at me as if she knew I were lying. That was just how it had to be.

Of course JJ wasn't where I left him; he was sitting across from the man, who was eating cookies.

"Thanks for keeping your promise," I said with a shake of my head.

"Shep." JJ stood and rushed over to me. "So, apparently he needs to go soon. He has another termination." JJ's brows rose.

Shitballs. "Is that right?" I glanced at the guy. "What are you terminating?"

His eyes met mine, and it was like looking into a nightmare. In those brown eyes were monsters pacing behind the veil, ready to tear it open.

"I asked him that, and he didn't answer."

I nodded and joined the stranger at the table, taking the seat across from him.

"My name's Shep. I'm gonna need you to tell me yours."

"Not important."

"I'm afraid it is. You don't want JJ here to name you, so what do people call you?"

"Four."

A number. Not a name and not just any number.

"Is that really your name?" JJ tilted his head. "Are you like the fourth kid, are your siblings numbers too?" He shrugged. "I mean it's kind of cool, easy to remember." He chuckled, and I could tell he was nervous and trying to put Four's mind at ease. But I had an idea of what was going on here…somewhat.

He was still eating the cookies, so hopefully I'd be able to gather more information before he went quiet once more.

"If I had to guess, someone did give you that number, but it wasn't your parents. Am I right?"

He nodded.

"It's an interesting number. Four. Do you know what it signifies?"

He stopped chewing and looked right at me. "My destiny."

"How is a number destiny?" JJ scoffed. "I mean…sorry, that's insensitive—it could be a culture thing."

"Not in this case, I believe," I answered quickly. "Four, in Japanese culture, means death." He didn't flinch, just kept his eyes on me. "However, some think four symbolizes completeness and stability. What does your name mean?"

"Nothing. Just what I'm called."

I hummed. "And what do you need to terminate?"

He stood abruptly, forcing me to do the same. I pushed JJ behind me.

"Must go."

"Wait." JJ made to move around me, but I stopped him.

"Don't, JJ."

"But, Shep."

Four regarded me, then JJ, then spun slowly and walked out the door.

"We can't let him go. Angel said I had to dress the wounds and watch for a fever, and he'd be back as soon as he could."

"JJ, I love that you want to help everyone, but Four might be out of your grasp. I've seen what nightmares do to people, and he was born into one. He's a creation of someone's mind, and I'm not sure he can be saved."

"You don't know that."

"No, I don't." I gripped JJ's shoulders. "I also can't let him wander off and kill someone who might be innocent."

"You want to take out Four?"

I rolled my eyes. "Right now, I want to go follow him. And I'd ask you to stay here, but you wouldn't listen."

"You're right. I'm horrible at listening." He grinned.

"Call Mason from the car and ask if he can cover here for a bit."

He nodded, and after I hit Mason up, I let Lizzy know he was on his way and that JJ and I had to go help a friend. She waved me off and we were out the door and getting into JJ's ride.

"What about the wedding cake?" JJ wanted to know.

"I'll have to pull an all-nighter to have it ready for tomorrow, but I can't bake knowing someone out there is going to die."

"And I'll be right beside you." He reached out and squeezed my hand, which I took advantage of. I yanked him to me so I could kiss his delicious lips.

"Later." He winked and buckled up. "Drive, my good man."

I laughed and started the SUV. Four hadn't gotten too far. We tracked him about half a mile down Main Street. He still had no shoes on, but at least he'd cleaned up and was dressed in untattered clothes. No one was paying him any mind.

We drove slowly, often stopping to let him make some headway before driving on. This went on for about forty minutes. He'd walked to the next town over and stopped in front of a two-story yellow house with white trim. The landscaping was beautiful with colorful blooms everywhere. Who did Four need to kill in this house?

"This place is right out of a Hallmark movie," JJ said, mirroring my feelings.

"There's a car in the driveaway." I noticed.

Four began walking up the path, and JJ and I immediately got out of the vehicle. I didn't know if I'd stop Four. Whoever this person was, someone had sent Four to kill them. What was more horrifying was that Four had no weapons on him.

"What do we do?" JJ whispered.

"Stay out of sight?" I had no idea. There was a large maple tree on the lawn. I gestured for JJ to get behind it while I waited until Four climbed the stairs to the porch, then ducked behind a large rose bush…which was stupid, because thorns.

Once he got to the door, he knocked. A few seconds later, it opened.

"Hello, can I help you?" I peeked through the bush and saw a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a little belly. He was in khakis and a polo shirt and appeared to be innocuous. I knew better than most that looks were deceiving, though.

"Maxwell Havendire?" Four asked.

"Yes, who are you? I don't want what you're selling."

Four stood stock-still, unperturbed by the man's dismissal. "I'm here on behalf of the Alabastrine Consortium."

I'd never heard of that group…or was it a corporation? But judging by the way the man's complexion paled, he had.

"I was told I had a week." Maxwell's voice quaked.

"On behalf of the Alabastrine Consortium, you are in violation of breaking the Allura act and have been judged."

"What? No, that's insane. I'd never." Maxwell tried to close the door in Four's face, but his arm shot out and stopped it with one hand while Maxwell was trying to shut it. Wow, he must be really strong.

"Your judgment has been finalized. Maxwell Havendire, you are sentenced to death. I am here to deliver your sentence."

"Fuck you!" Maxwell shouted.

Shit, I was going to have to do something. Maybe Maxwell deserved this. I wasn't sure, but I couldn't sit here and do nothing.

So that was the moment I stepped out of the bush.

"Hey, guys," I said loud enough that both men heard me and turned in my direction.

Maxwell appeared relieved that someone was intervening, but Four…it was as if I were looking into Death's eyes, and if I didn't turn away I'd descend into madness.

I had no doubt JJ was wondering what the fuck I was doing.