Chapter 10: The Relocation
Chapter 10: The Relocation
The cabin was compromised; it was only a matter of time before local cops or more cartel hitmen showed up. We hastily packed the truck with supplies and drove straight through the night, crossing state lines until we reached a sprawling, isolated cattle ranch in the dusty plains of Texas. It belonged to Marcus, a grizzled former combat medic who owed me his life from a botched, bloody op in Bogotá twenty years ago.
"Arthur," Marcus said, his voice like grinding gravel, leaning on the wooden fence as my dust-covered truck rolled up. He looked past me to Lily, battered, exhausted, but standing tall. "I see the peaceful retirement didn't take."
"I need you to watch her, Marcus. Make sure she's safe. Nobody knows about this place."
May you like
Marcus spat into the dirt and patted the heavy, custom revolver resting on his leather belt. "Nobody gets onto this ranch breathing unless I say so. The perimeter is rigged, and I don't sleep much anyway. Go do what you gotta do, brother. Hunt that son of a bitch down."
I pulled Lily into a tight, lingering hug. "I'll be back," I promised, memorizing the feeling of her safe in my arms.
