Page 79 of Justice

“Exit coming up,” Ranger announced.

“Slow down, cut your headlights and stop before you get there,” Justice said. “Where are my guns?”

“Under the seat,” Ranger said. “Had to stash them when you got hurt.”

“Oh, no,” I said to Justice as I shook my head. “You are not doing that.”

“Scarlet, we don’t know if nutjob Deacon knows we are here,” he explained. “I have no comm to Talon. I won’t sit here like a lame ass and let his men take potshots at us. So, please look under the seat for me or I will.”

I released a frustrated breath and slid off then turned a bit to feel under the front seat. Cold metal met with my fingers, so I grabbed the barrel and pulled it out.

Leaning forward, Justice plucked it from my hand. Then he checked the chamber. “Good, it’s still loaded. Can you find the other one?”

“You need more than one gun?” I asked him. “Justice, you can only use one of your hands!”

The truck slowed and stopped.

Justice ceased to argue with me as he leaned over to the window, rolling it down. Then with the same hand, he cocked the large gun.

Liberty again hung out of the front window as he peered at the exit opening while aiming his weapon too.

“No,” Belle mumbled. “Not more shooting?”

Shadows appeared at the exit.

“Hold on,” Ranger said as he turned the headlights back on.

I squinted but we were still too far for the car lights to reach the shadowed men.

One of them flicked a light on and we could see his face. “Talon!” I exclaimed with relief.

Epilogue

Justice

Finally, we were able to go home…well, to our temporary home. But since all the Walkers were there, it was home. When we arrived, it was no small affair. The whole family, it seemed like, came out to greet us.

Belle looked overwhelmed at all the faces and the talking, then her mother came out with Ma Walker.

Rushing over, her mom grabbed Belle up. “Oh, my God!” Belle actually cried as her mom held her. “It’s all over now, baby,” her mother soothed. Finally, she pulled away and looked over at Scarlet. Leaning over, she embraced her. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Scarlet pulled back a little and asked, “For what, Mom?”

“For rescuing your sister! What else?”

Scarlet glanced over at me and back at her mom. “I had lots of help. Like an entire army of help, Mom.”

“Yes, so I learned.” She looked over at Justice as he still sat on the seat with his arm in a sling.

Scarlet smiled at her and introduced us, “This is Justice, my… Um.”

“Fiancé,” I said as I stuck my good hand out to her mother.

“What?” her mother asked as she ignored my hand and swung her shocked gaze back over to Scarlet. “Isn’t this rather sudden?”

Scarlet shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s a good thing, Mom.”

Her mother stared at her and looked over at me again.