Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 28: Course of Action

December 30, 2014

Selma, Alabama

"You didn't have to come, you know?"

Liv Walker was beautiful, feisty, smart, and above all...

Stubborn.

So fucking stubborn.

I was pretty adamant about this, too, trying to persuade her with my manly wiles to no avail.

Times like that I remembered why I fell in love with her: fierce loyalty and determination to protect the ones she loves.

Liv quirks her eyebrow at me, telling me in her way to "shut up".

Walker Roofing was a high-security warehouse at the edge of Selma, surrounded by a barbed-linked fence and a vast forest.

That would be our escape route if we got caught.

If.

I was particularly good at what I did, and hardly ever gave anyone the chance to put a bullet in me.

I cut the engine, being left with the still silence of the night.

"Ready?" I shot her a tight-lipped smile, grabbing her hand.

She nods, taking a deep breath; Liv could deny it all she wanted, but I knew when my girl was scared... Any sane person would be in a situation like this.

Me? I was in my element, going out in the dead of night, not really sure what awaited me.

It typically thrilled me, but tonight, with Liv beside me... I was on edge. Her life affected mine so greatly, and I would gladly give mine for hers. I grab my Colt from under my seat, tucking it into my jeans; Liv gives me a strange look.

"Just in case."

I pull out my cell, calling Noah; first, to confirm his location off of Hwy 218, keeping an eye out for any of the Walker brothers, then Luke, confirming he was stationed at end of the road where we were.

I still wasn't certain about Luke, despite Rose's current fascination with him.

"You ever fired one before?" I ask Luke, taking away the 12 Gauge he picked up from Anthony's collection.

Luke avoided my gaze, answering my question; I set it back in the cherry wood cabinet.

"Try something with a little less kick," I hand him a black Ruger LCP.

Easy to shoot, light in the hand. Perfect for a gun virgin.

I close the cabinet, "If things go according to plan tonight, there won't be any need."

Luke made his way to the door, past Owen and Noah, then stopped, thinking for a moment before turning to us.

"Mya's certain Will had Zoey killed," he met all of our gazes, staying on Owen for longer, "Killed her because he knew her and Liv could put him away for good... That you all could."

"We will," Owen said confidently, "As long as it's all of us."

Luke nodded, clutching the gun before stuffing it awkwardly into his back pocket.

"I'm with y'all... Call me a traitor against my father, I don't care. I've always believed everything he told me blindly, and I've always defended my family tooth and nail, but that ends now. He brought me up to believe the Reeds were our enemies, but he's turned a blind eye to Will all these years, and agreeing to work with Liam, and Knox, and all that bullshit, I'm done with it. Zoey," Luke choked back a sob, "Zoey and Liv, and Abby, they're my sisters. I'll do anything to protect them. Any. Thing."