Chosen

by Denise Grover Swank

  * * *

  Emma rested her head on the seat back while she watched Will walk away. She had never trusted anyone to help her escape before and now she was bound to this leech. She was furious. Her fingernails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, fighting the urge to vent her frustration on Jake. What the hell was he thinking? She looked in the rearview mirror. The exhaustion on his face tempered her rage. The visions always made him tired, especially when they were intense. His head turned and he studied her in the mirror.

  “You don’t like him?” he asked.

  “‘No’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

  He stared with unblinking eyes. “You don’t need to like him. You just need to let him help us.”

  Emma’s anger erupted anew. She spun around and thrust her head between the front seats. “Why do we need him? We’ve done just fine on our own. We’ve never needed anyone before.”

  “Things have changed.” His face implied wisdom older than his years. Every time Emma saw the fear and torment in his eyes after a vision, a piece of her heart withered in despair. Jake saw things no child should see. As his mother, her job was to protect him. But she was powerless to stop his visions.

  “How have they changed? What aren’t you telling me, Jake?”

  “You only need to know we need him and you can trust him.”

  His unyielding gaze infuriated her. “Jake, I demand you tell me what you know right now.” He wasn’t usually a defiant child and his behavior unnerved her. What did he know that he wouldn’t tell her?

  He scrutinized her with ice blue eyes. The only response was the country music drifting from the propped-open back door of the bar and cicadas singing in the trees. Somehow, she knew he wouldn’t answer. She flopped back in the seat, resting her head on the headrest.

  The sky had darkened. The poorly lit parking lot behind the bar made her jumpy. She felt vulnerable and trapped, like a noose tightened slowly around her neck. Emma reminded herself she was the one who picked this place to hide. As she wondered if she should have parked in the motel parking lot, she heard a gunshot and jolted upright. She scrambled to grab the gun in her purse.

  “We need to get out of here.” She realized she didn’t have the keys, and then remembered the flat tire. They were trapped. More gunshots echoed, coming from the direction of the motel.

  “We’re waiting for Will,” Jake said.

  “The hell we are! We’re not sitting here waiting for them to show up.” Her throat constricted, choking her last words. They had never come this close to being caught before. Will’s piss-poor plan didn’t help her anxiousness.

  “We’re not leaving. We wait for Will.”

  Emma expected his usual terror, but he was calm, unfazed by the gunfire.

  She climbed out of the car with her purse and opened the back car door. She leaned in and reached in for Jake. “We’re not waiting outside like targets. We have to hide in case they find our car.”

  He opened his mouth as if to say something, then smiled. “We can hide inside the bar. It’s better than hiding in the trees.”

  Emma knew she should be irritated by his attitude, but at this moment, she didn’t care why he came with her, as long as he came with her willingly.

  Tall, barren trees lined the area behind the parking lot. They would fail miserably at hiding someone. She pulled Jake out of the car and she realized how backward everything was. She never thought she’d be raising a mini-tyrant, but experience trained her to trust him. This was only the second time she questioned his revelations. The first had been when he was two years old, when it all began.

  She hid the suitcase behind a bush along the building, after removing a shirt. With a firm grip on Jake’s small hand, she walked to the back door. She patted the gun in her purse for reassurance then opened the door to get her bearings. It opened to a storeroom with two other doors on the same wall. Her experience working in bars told her that one most likely opened to the bar area and the other to a hallway. If she were alone it wouldn’t be a big deal, but bringing a five-year-old into a bar presented a host of challenges, not the least of which was it made them conspicuous. She pulled Jake into the building and heard the distant wail of sirens.

  Emma decided the door to the left most likely led to the hallway, and it didn’t disappoint. The storeroom door was at the end of the hall, with the bathroom doors on the wall to the right. The bar was at the opposite end of the hallway. They slipped down the hall and Emma dragged Jake into the women’s bathroom before anyone spotted him. Relieved to see it had two stalls, she locked the door behind them. She stood in front of the mirror and took her ponytail holder out of her hair, fluffing it with her fingers.

  “I want you to hide in one of the stalls while I go out to the bar and wait for Will.” She hoped Will was smart enough to look for them here. If he was still alive. He could have been caught in the gunfire.

  “Okay, Mommy,” Jake answered, to Emma’s relief.

  She put on lipstick, powdered her face and dug out a small bottle of perfume, hoping to mask any BO. Not that she needed to worry; it was already obvious the building was poorly air-conditioned. Her goal was to fit in without drawing too much unwarranted attention and a quick glance in the mirror confirmed it. The only thing left was her shirt. She stripped off the one she wore and replaced it with the one in her purse.

  Emma ushered Jake into a stall and lowered the toilet lid. “Lock the door behind me, then sit on the toilet seat with your feet up so no one can see you. Okay?”

  Jake nodded.

  She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll come get you as soon as Will gets here.”

  “I’m not afraid. Will is coming.”

  “Shut the door behind me.” Jake obeyed and she heard the lock sliding into place as someone pounded on the bathroom door.

  “Hey, open the door! I gotta pee.” A woman’s slurred voice was muffled by the heavy wooden door. “What did ya lock the door for?”

  Steeling herself, she turned the lock.

  A middle-aged woman with too much makeup and reeking of alcohol shoved her way in. “There’s two stalls! You don’t need to lock the damn door.”

  “Sorry, I had to go to the bathroom.” Emma swayed to the side as if she lost her balance and giggled.

  “Damn drunk,” The woman mumbled, heading for the empty stall. Emma cast a glance toward Jake’s hiding spot and walked out the door.

  Emma assessed the room as she entered. An unoccupied table next to the hallway caught her attention. From there she could see when someone came and went to the bathroom. She could also see the front door. It provided the perfect vantage point.

  She walked up to the counter and a bartender sauntered over. “What can I getcha, darlin’?” he asked with a wink. A cowboy hat hung low over his wrinkled brow and the buttons on his shirt strained over his extended gut.

  “I’ll take a glass of water and a scotch on the rocks.”

  He grabbed a couple of glasses and started making the drinks. “Ain’t seen you here before.”

  “Just dropping in tonight.” She handed him money as he gave her the glasses.

  “You just let me know if you need anything.” He tipped the edge of his hat.

  She took the glasses to the table and sat down. The bar was busier than she expected on a weekday night. Wooden tables that looked like they had seen their prime in the 1970s cluttered the room, occupied by patrons who appeared to have seen better days themselves. A couple of beat-up pool tables filled the opposite corner; draped over them were men in cowboy hats carrying pool cues and beer bottles. A ragtag country band played on a makeshift stage, and the lead singer crooned slightly off key. Some patrons danced in a small area in front of the stage. Others were deep in conversation.

  Emma picked up the glass of water and sipped it, scanning the room for signs of anything suspicious. She hoped Will wouldn’t take too long getting there, and hoped he hadn’t gotten shot. Her breath caught at th
e thought. If something happened to him, she and Jake were in big trouble. But Jake said he would come. She released her breath in relief. She just had to wait for him. That is, if the idiot thought to search for them in here.

  As Emma turned to check the hallway, she saw a man approaching. Here we go.

  “Can I get you a drink?” He looked young, probably younger than her. Instead of the usual leer, he appeared genuine in his request.

  “No thanks.” She raised her glass to him.

  He sat down in the empty seat next to her. “Hi, I’m Eric. I haven’t seen you here before.”

  Great, I picked a place full of regulars. But then again, it wasn’t surprising. Small town, honky-tonk bar. “Just passing through.”

  “Lucky you. Everyone who lives here wishes they were passing through.” He leaned his elbows on the table and smiled.

  She sucked in her breath. Longing seeped through the crack of the door that she shut on her dreams years ago. He was cute and had a freshness about him, an earnestness that tugged at Emma’s heart, making it heavy with regret. She sighed. If things were different, she could have had a life with someone like Eric. She had forced herself to accept her fate and never look back. She wasn't about to start now.

  “Actually, Eric, I’m waiting for someone.” Emma pointed to the scotch. “He just hasn’t shown up yet.”

  Eric’s grin fell and he stared at the glass in his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.” He got up to leave and Emma had to resist an urge to tell him to sit down.

  “That’s okay. No harm done.” She smiled, ignoring the ache that gnawed at her resolve. As he turned and walked away she wondered how long it would take for the next fool to show up. She didn’t have to wait long. Two men dressed in jeans and black t-shirts walked through the front door, and it was obvious they didn’t belong there.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Emma really regretted sending Eric away.

  The two men stood in the doorway, gazing around the room. A few patrons turned to check out the newcomers, who looked like they belonged on the cover of GQ magazine, not a small country bar. They sat at an empty table close to the door.

  Emma shifted her gaze toward the stage, resting her chin in her hand. She fanned her fingers across her cheek to hide her profile.

  Crap. She worried Jake might be upset with the Bad Men this close, but she didn’t dare go check. She couldn’t risk leading them to him. Instead, she sipped her water, pretending to be fascinated with the band, and hoped they didn’t recognize her. A few moments later, another man approached her. A cigarette hung from his mouth and he held a glass in his hand. Cockiness oozed from his lanky frame as he slid into the chair next to her. “Hey there, sweetheart. How’re you doin’?”

  Resisting the urge to cringe, she plastered on a coy grin. “Just waitin’ for you, sugar.” Her voice dripped with her best Texas drawl.

  A lecherous smile spread across his face in response and he leaned his shoulder into hers. “Well, then it’s your lucky day.”

  Smoke from his cigarette blew into her face. She would have loved nothing more than to shove the cigarette up his ass. Her gaze shifted to the men at the table. They were watching.

  Emma ran her fingers down the man’s arm and glanced up at him through her eyelashes. “What’s your name, handsome?”

  “Carl.” Carl looked like he was about to shit his pants with glee. She doubted his approach had a high success rate.

  “Hi, Carl. I’m Lisa.” Her fingers trailed down his arm to his hand. The men still watched but appeared less alert. Now, if she could just keep Carl here without having him jump her until she figured out what to do. “Tell me about yourself, Carl.”

  Carl’s wrinkled eyes lit up as he began to give her what she was sure was the exaggerated version of his life. The men began scanning the room again. Emma nodded and fawned in the appropriate places, stifling a yawn. A woman went into the women’s restroom and came out a short while later. Emma wondered when the men would leave.

  The front door opened again. A man in a low-slung cowboy hat and a denim jacket walked in and sat at a table in the far corner by the pool table. He seemed relaxed but alert. Emma realized it was Will. Maybe he wasn’t a total idiot after all.

  * * *

  Will got away from the parking lot without being followed and it worried him. The men were still close to Emma. Who was stuck with no keys to her car. Shit.

  He drove around a few blocks to make sure he wasn’t being followed before heading back to the building. Emma was close enough to hear the gunshots. She probably looked for somewhere to hide. The bar seemed a logical place.

  He pulled into the bar lot, parking in the corner close to the street, and walked around to the back of the building to check out Emma’s car. As he suspected, it was empty. Flashing lights of police cars swept between the gaps of the motel units. He walked toward the front of the bar and stood between two motel units, hoping to get a better look. The SUV sat in its original spot. Police milled around, but it didn’t appear like they had apprehended anyone, which meant there were men with guns still on the loose.

  While surveying the bar parking lot, he formulated a plan. A man and woman emerged from the entrance, headed toward their car. The man fumbled with his keys as Will approached him. “How much for your hat?”

  The man looked up surprised. “What?”

  “I need a hat. How much for yours?”

  The man blinked as he digested the question. “I dunno. It’s a nice hat. A hundred bucks.”

  The hat had seen better days. Will knew it wasn’t worth that much but didn’t have time to haggle. He saw a denim jacket lying on the back seat and pointed to it. “I’ll give you a hundred and fifty if you throw in the jacket.”

  “It’s hotter than a coon dog chasing a bitch in heat. Whatdaya want a jacket for?”

  “I’m cold-blooded.” Will pulled out his wallet and dug out his money. The man handed over a wadded-up jacket that reeked of horse. Will handed him the money, took the hat off the man’s head, and put it on his own. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

  Will shrugged into the jacket as he walked to the entrance. It was a tight fit but it would work if he could overlook the stench. He pulled the gun out from under his shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans. The jacket would hide the gun and it was easier to reach now. He only hoped he wouldn’t need to use it with the police right next door.

  His eyes adjusted to the dim light of the bar when he entered, and he spotted an empty table between the front door and the pool table. Surveying the hazy smoke-filled room, it took almost a minute before he realized the woman at the back of the room was Emma. Her hair was down and she had changed shirts. The fact that she was sitting with some slime bag had thrown him off, too, which he was sure was her intention. He was impressed. He noticed the men in the black shirts, but so far, they hadn’t noticed him. They weren’t paying much attention to Emma either so she must have fooled them too. Will suddenly realized that he didn’t see Jake. His gaze returned to Emma and they locked eyes for a brief moment of recognition before she turned back to the man next her.

  A waitress approached him. “What can I get you?”

  “A beer.”

  “Any particular kind?” She put her hand on her hip, appraising him.

  Cocking his head, he winked. “Surprise me.”

  The waitress walked to the counter. Will guessed there were close to thirty people in the room. He had to get Emma out without attracting interest from the men looking for her. The waitress came back with his beer. He placed his money on the table. “What do you know about that guy?” He pointed to the man sitting with Emma.

  “Who? Carl? He’s a dirty ole coot. I can’t believe that woman is talking to him.” She shook her head in disgust. “She looks way too high-class for him.”

  Will took a swig from his beer bottle. “Got a pen I can borrow?”

  “Sure.” She looked hopeful as she took a pen out of her
back pocket and handed it to him.

  He glanced up at her as he began writing. “Will you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.” Her eyes lit up. Will was used to women doing what he asked.

  “I want you to take this over to the woman with Carl.” She seemed disappointed. He finished writing, folded over the napkin, and held it out. Will leaned his head toward her and lowered his voice. “That’s my sister over there. Take this to her and I’ll owe you. Just name your price.” He winked and knew she’d do it.

  She took the napkin while Will still held on. “Don’t tell her I sent it or she might not read it, okay?”

  “When do I get to name my price?” She leaned over so he could see down her shirt.

  “After you give her the note, we’ll discuss it.” She stood up and whirled around, looking over her shoulder at him as she walked away. Will only wished he had time to settle up on his debt.

  * * *

  Between Carl’s constant smokestack and the tension that gripped her shoulders, the pounding in Emma’s head became intolerable. Will made eye contact with her so she knew he recognized her. But instead of doing something, he was busy flirting with the waitress. Just another guy thinking with his dick.

  “What?” She realized Carl had asked her a question and turned back to him, feigning interest again. Seriously, when are those guys going to leave?

  “What about you, darlin’?”

  Emma hadn’t paid attention so she smiled. “What about me?” She batted her eyelashes and couldn’t believe it actually worked. Talk about a guy thinking with his dick.