15. Reaper

15

Reaper

We were on our way to California and the Pacific Coast. Sarra was excited when she saw the ocean and how beautiful it was. Even Bub enjoyed running on the beach. We stayed in Malibu that first night, right on the beach.

"It's beautiful here," she said, looking at me as we walked down the beach. "The United States has some lovely places to see. You've already shared some of them. Why would anyone ever want to leave?"

"You're right, sweetheart. That's why we have to protect our country at all times."

I took her hand, my mind drifting to the time we would part. I knew I couldn't stay with her forever. After all, I was a protector. I protected people who needed me, and if Amanda Lundry were dead, shewould no longer need my protection. But I didn't want to think about that right now.

Sarra laughed as Bub played in the water. "He's going to be so wet. Look at him. He loves the water. I might move to the coast somewhere so that Bub can play in the water," she said, laughing.

That's when Bub turned around and ran toward us. Both of us prepared for him to jump up. I stepped in front of Sarra as Bub jumped up, and his paws rested on my shoulders. I was now as soaked as he was. I laughed as he licked my face.

"Down, Bub," Sarra said, sitting on the sand and laughing. "Sit." She said again. Then he walked to her, and his body lay across hers.

"I'm glad you have Bub; he's a good guard dog." Then I smiled at him. "He's a good dog most of the time. He loves this cold water."

"Yes, Bub is a good dog. He was my best friend until you showed up. Now you're my best friend."

"Is that what I am? Your best friend?"

"Among other things," she said, smiling.

"Oh yeah? What other things?" I pulled her up and into my arms. "Tell me what other things you are talking about."

"Well, you are my lover and my protector until we find out if that woman is alive or dead."

"Are you in a hurry to get rid of me?"

"No. I don't know where I'll go when you go back to the mountain."

"You could come to the mountain with me," I said, not knowing why I said that. Sure, I had more feelings for Sarra than I'd ever had for any woman. I didn't want to be without her right now. But will I always feel this way? I didn't want her to have false hope.

"I might visit your mountain sometime to see all those people you talk about. But I like the open air where there is lots of space. I'm not good with crowds. Although I'm better than I used to be."

We spent three days in Malibu. Bub didn't want to leave; we finally had to drag him into the vehicle. Our next stop was a private home on the beach in Pismo Beach. The home was beautiful, and the fridge and pantry were well-stocked. We planned on staying a week this time.

"They have surfboards here. Do you want to give it a try?" I asked.

"Yes, I would love to try surfing. Is it hard?"

"It takes a few tries to get the hang of it. We'll have to leave Bub here, or he'll try to get on your surfboard, and that won't be good for either of you."

Sarra hated leaving Bub behind, but hopefully, he would stay and not try to follow her on the surfboard. We had fun trying to stay on top of the surfboard, mostly laughing. After an hour, we headed back.

"We'll try it again tomorrow," I said, leaning down and kissing Sarra.

"This was really fun. I can't wait to try again tomorrow," Sarra said. "Maybe I'll stay on the board more than in the water tomorrow. Do we want to have a barbecue tonight? I saw steaks in the fridge."

"I'll cook the steaks, and you can make the salads," I said, pulling her closer.

I stopped walking when I heard a noise. "Someone is here. Stay behind me."

I saw her looking around, and that's when I realized Bub wasn't there. Fuck, I don't have any weapons with me. I knew I had become too relaxed, and that wasn't good. I saw the men when I stepped onto the property. They were sneering at me.

"Welcome home. Please come inside. We are going to use this house until it calms down around here."

"Where is my dog?" Sarra demanded.

"Sarra, get behind me," I said so only she could hear.

"Bub," she shouted.

We heard Bub barking and knew they had him locked up somewhere. "I'm through with the pleasantries. Get inside, or I will blow her head off," one of the men said, pointing a gun at Sarra.

I guarded Sarra so they would have to go through me to get to her. I was fucking pissed at myself for not being prepared for anything else happening. All I thought about was protecting her from Amanda Lundry and Brian. I ignored all other dangers.

"Then let Bub out," Sarra pleaded.

"Move it before I start shooting," the man shouted. I knew I had to wait until I got inside to see how many men were there, and then I would take them down all at once.

"Let us change our clothes," I said, not liking that Sarra was in a bathing suit.

"Put on some sweats. Jack, go with them. Leave the dog locked up. He's lucky I like dogs. I came close to killing him."

Another man followed us to the bedroom. We grabbed some clothes and pulled them on. Sarra said nothing, but I knew she was watching everything. I could see her eyes as she tracked each person. I counted four men.

I could easily take four men, but they all had weapons. I had nothing except my hands. If I could catch them off guard, I only needed my hands.

"Sit on the couch, but not together. You sit there, and she can sit there. If either of you moves, I'll kill you."

"Are we allowed to talk?" Sarra asked.

"Who do you want to talk to?" the leader asked.

"You. I want to know where my dog is. My dying mother gave me Bub. I can't lose him; he's all I have left of her." I listened as she made up that lie so she could check on Bub.

"Your dog is fine. I fed him a steak from the fridge so he would go into another bedroom. Now no more about that damn dog. Your dog chose a steak over being killed."

He sat in the chair facing us. "We will be here for a few days. The FBI is after us. We are wanted men for many things. Mine is drugs; Jack there killed six FBI agents, Carl robbed three banks, and Juan murdered two families. If I fall asleep, they'll take your wife and rape her until she wishes she was dead."

"Why are you telling us this?" I asked.

"Because we broke out of prison. If something happens to me, you must do whatever you can to get the hell out of here. These men don't take orders without fighting back. I don't know if they plan to murder me or not."

"Then let us go now," I said.

"I can't do that. I'll be the first one they kill. I locked the dog up so they wouldn't kill him. I'm sorry you are caught up in this mess."

How was I going to get us out of this mess? First, I had to get rid of Jack and Juan. They stared at Sarra like they wanted to attack her.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Sarra said, looking at the man. "I've waited as long as I could."

"Okay, all three of us will go. Don't try anything, or I'll have to kill you."

I was behind Sarra, and the guy with the gun was behind me. The other three men were drinking in the bar area. I knew that once they got boozed up, things would change. They would come for Sarra. I only had a few minutes to take care of things.

I turned and hit the guy as soon as we hit the hallway. When he tried calling out, I killed him. Then I took her hand and pulled her to the room Bub was in. I pushed her inside. "Stay here."

I grabbed the gun and went to the other room where I could watch the men. They were getting loud and drunk. I saw one walk outside, so I followed him. He was pissing on the hedges. I walked up behind him and twisted his neck.

When I went back inside, they had Sarra. My heart fell to my stomach. They didn't see me, but I walked over, and with one punch, one went down. The other man pointed his gun at me, and I grabbed his arm and twisted until I heard it snap. One twist, and I broke his neck. I saw the other one get up, and I killed him with a kick to the neck. When I heard Sarra crying, I looked around, and Bub lay on the floor with a knife in him.

"Call the police, sweetheart, but call Shane first and tell him to have the FBI come here." I carried Bub into the other room and lay him on the floor. He was still alive but barely breathing. I didn't know if I should take the knife out or not. Sarra was there on her knees.

"He saved my life. Those men grabbed me, and when Bub attacked, one stabbed him. Will he die?"

"I'll do everything I can to make sure he makes it. Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Yes, it's my fault. I was scared they would hurt you, so I snuck out the door and forgot to pull it shut. When they grabbed me, I screamed, and Bub charged them. He attacked one while the other one stabbed him. He has to live."

That's when the sirens started, and the flashing lights appeared. The police charged inside and threw us to the ground before I could say anything. "We are the ones who called you. The bad guys are the dead ones. They broke into this house we rented for a week."

"Don't move!" one policeman yelled.

"I'm trying to save Sarra's dog. One of the men stabbed him."

"Okay, but don't try anything."

The men in suits walked in. "We'll take over from here on out," one of them said.

"Who are you?" the cop asked.

"We are the FBI, and these men broke out of prison. We've been hunting for them. Who killed them?"

"I did," I said, still working on Bub.

"What happened to the dog?" the FBI man asked.

"He has a knife in him," I answered.

"Let me look at him. I was a veterinarian before becoming an FBI agent." Sarra and I watched as he took the knife out. When the ambulance came, he took over, and we drove to a veterinary hospital. Sarra sat up front while the driver went straight to the hospital. The doctor there gave us everything we needed. I carried Bub inside, and the FBI agent worked to save Bub's life.

Sarra and I helped with what we could, and then we had to wait to see if Bub made it. I thanked the agent, and he left. Sarra and I stayed at the hospital while Bub was healing.