Page 23 of Family Jewels

I was hiding behind the bar with Jed and the bartender. Leaning around the corner, I squeezed the trigger on the gun in my hand, aiming at a man behind an overturned high-top table.

“How many?” I shouted in James’ voice.

“A good dozen—we’ve taken out four or five ourselves,” Jed shouted over the gunshots and yelling. A bottle shattered against the wall over our heads, spraying glass and alcohol down on us. “Merv and a couple of men are circling around back, trying to corner a few.”

“Any sign of Wagner?”

“No.”

“You’re not leaving here alive!” a man yelled from across the room.

I was leaning around the bar to take another shot when another bottle came flying across the room. This one had a burning rag sticking out of it. It smashed on a nearby pool table, and the felt burst into flames.

“Shit.”

“They’re gonna smoke us out,” Jed grunted, the cords on his neck standing out.

“Or burn us alive.”

The vision ended and my eyes flew open. “They’re gonna burn you alive.”

James remained steady, still holding my hand and searching my face.

“Why don’t you look more worried?” I asked.

The corners of his mouth twitched with a grin. “I told you. We’ll figure out what he’s planning and beat him to it. Now tell me what you saw.”

I relayed all the information, and he remained silent for a moment before he said, “Okay.” He nodded, then pushed my legs inside the truck. “I need you to watch your back. You still have that gun Deveraux gave you last winter?”

Mason had given me a gun and a concealed carry permit. He’d obviously obtained it by illegal means, but he’d been the county’s assistant DA at the time. No one had really questioned him about it. “Yeah. At the farm.”

“Good. Go get it. Keep it with you.”

“Why? No one knows that you and I meet. There’s nothing tying us together anymore.”

“Some people have memories like an elephant. I’m ninety-nine percent sure you’re safe, but I want you to be prepared for that unlikely one percent.”

He tried to push the door closed, but I held it open. “Why’s he doing this?”

“Control. Power. I have to be dead for him to take over.”

“So you have to kill him or be killed?” I asked, my stomach churning again.

“That’s the way I would have handled it a year ago,” he said, looking into my eyes, “but I made you a promise. I’m gonna try to work it out with him first. At least give him a fair shake.” He paused. “I’m not sure when I’ll see you next.”

“Because of this mess?” I asked quietly.

He gave me a brisk nod, then pushed my door closed and started toward his car.

“James!” I called through the open window.

He turned to face me, waiting.

“Be careful.”

He grinned as he got into his car. Then, as usual, he waited for me to leave first.

When I pulled away from the parking lot, I headed back to the farm to get my gun. I watched him in the rearview mirror as he headed back into town, mulling over what he’d said about his promise. In the past, he would have simply eliminated the threat, but now he was waiting. I had to wonder if I’d put him in more danger.