At last, Tazzy laughed despite herself. “You’re all terrible. But I like the idea. We need to make it fun and loud, so people actually pay attention.”
They kept brainstorming while Tazzy tidied up behind the bar, wondering where in the world Jaxon was. Normally, he would have checked on her ten times by now.
As if in answer, her phone buzzed on the counter. Picking it up, relief swept over her when she saw it was a text from Jaxon. Finally!
Jaxon:
Pulling up outside in Ravage’s SUV. Wait for me by the door.
She frowned. SUV? What happened to his bike? She didn’t even know Ravage had an SUV. She guessed everyone needed something besides a motorcycle, just in case it rained.
Tazzy:
What color is the SUV?
It didn’t take Jaxon long to answer.
Jaxon:
It’s black. I’m almost there. I’ve had a long day, and I’m ready to head home. Just get your stuff and wait outside.
Glancing at the bar, Tazzy bit her lip. She still had to clean up her mess.
Tazzy:
I have to clean up behind the bar. Protest planning is a big job.
His reply came fast and sharp.
Jaxon:
They’ve got people for shit like that. We’re almost there. Get your ass outside.
She stared at the screen. Her Daddy must really be stressed out. He’d never talked like that to her before. Her stomach twisted again with guilt, but she shook her head. That wouldn’t help. Her Daddy was just having a bad day. Even Daddies got overwhelmed sometimes. It was her job to be understanding and try to make it easier for him. After all, part of this was her fault.
Of course, the Musketiaras noticed her expression.
“You okay?” Georgia asked.
Tazzy forced a small smile. “Yeah. Jaxon wants me to meet him outside. He’s ready to go home. Do you guys mind cleaning up for me?”
“Of course not,” Breezy said. “We’ve got it. Go on.”
Tazzy boxed up her supplies and set them behind the bar. Each girl gave her a quick hug, which she returned. “See you tomorrow,” she said as she waved goodbye.
Pushing her hip against the locking bar on the door, walked out into the parking lot. Blinding sunlight hit her eyes. Blinking, she reached into her back pocket for her phone to text Jaxon again and realized she had left it on the counter. She turned to go back inside when a black SUV skidded to a stop right beside her.
Before she could react, the driver jumped out of the SUV. Confusion replaced the smile she had ready for Jaxon when a guy she’d never seen before grabbed her around the waist, clamped a hand over her mouth, and threw her into the back seat like she weighed nothing.
Tazzy’s heart pounded against her chest. She struggled to fight, kicking him and trying to scratch at his eyes. The man pushed her back and slammed the door. She immediately grabbed the door handle and tried desperately to open the door, but the handle wouldn’t work.
“Childproof locks,” another voice said. “Appropriate, don’t you think?”
Spinning around, her heart froze as she looked into the smiling face of the General.
He looked at her with cold, flat eyes, calmly sitting beside her as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “Hello, Taziana. I apologize for the rough treatment, but I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
The SUV spun out of the parking lot, the tires spitting gravel in every direction. Tazzy’s stomach dropped as they sped away from the warehouse. She looked back to see the building disappearing behind them, wondering if she would ever see it again. The idea of being locked behind its doors didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore.