Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“Sir, these apartments are vacant,” the officer says, coming back to me. “I wonder if there’s another place—”
I shake my head. “They’re here.”
“We don’t see anyone here, sir.”
“We have to look harder.”
I trust Samantha and her friends. They pieced this together. They’re here.
I don’t call for Toni. There’s no way my asshole brother would let her yell back to me. But Samantha said she took Prince with her…
“Prince!” I yell at the top of my lungs. “I’ve got treats for you!”
The officer looks at me like I’m an alien life form, but thankfully has the wherewithal not to question shit.
I walk up and down the sidewalk, then reach for my keys and jangle them. Little mutt loves a car ride, doesn’t like to be left behind. “Prince! Wanna go for a ride, boy?” Jangle jangle.
I know a dog’s hearing is stronger than a human’s, so my hope is he’ll hear me when my brother doesn’t.
“Sir, I don’t think—”
“Shhh.” I hold my finger up. Was that… was that a bark?
“Prince!” I shout again. Then I hear it. The unmistakable sound of a dog barking. They’re here.
I take a left, and the sound grows softer, then a right, and there it is. We’re getting closer.
“Barbershop,” I say to the officer in a low voice. “I see a light on in the back.”
“Mr. Santiago, we’re waiting on backup. They’re still up by the river, will only take a minute.”
“Call them and tell them to come, but we aren’t waiting. We don’t need backup. It’s a kid, her dog, and my brother, and believe me, I can handle my brother without assistance.” I’m salivating to get my fucking hands on him. “And if we wait, they could be gone. The dog’s already stopped barking.” If he’s hurt Sam’s dog, he will wish he was never born.
The officer goes to the front door, gun drawn. I wait in the back. The idea is that if he runs, one of us will catch them at one of the exits.
“Police! Open up!”
There’s a scramble and shouts inside, then the telltale sound of little feet running. My heart lurches at the sight of Toni as she runs toward me at the back door.
“Uncle Miguel!” She yanks at the door, but it won’t open.
“Back up!” I yell. She backs up. These apartments and businesses are older, none are remodeled or updated. Part of the charm of Boston, I suppose. But the beauty of that means the windows have simple plate glass that I break easily. I whip off my sweatshirt, toss it over the broken glass, and quickly reach in and unfasten the door.
“Not so fast.” My brother looms behind Toni, and when I open the door, he yanks her back.
I don’t think, I just act. But as soon as I take a step toward him, Prince goes into action. He bites Ricardo’s ankle, making Ricardo drop Toni to the floor. He goes to kick Prince, but I stop him mid-kick.
“Hurt my girl’s dog, and I will fu—”
I’m suddenly acutely aware that Toni’s watching my every move. I censor my language and reach for Toni, but no need. She throws herself into my arms. My throat tightens and my arms wrap around her.
“We’re back here!” I shout as the officer comes from the front entrance. Ricardo curses under his breath. “You do not move. You stay right there.”
He takes one look at the officer coming, at Toni wrapped up in my arms, and decides to run for it. By instinct, I trip him. He goes sprawling headfirst into a potted plant, cursing the whole way.
“You should punch him,” Toni whispers. “He deserves a punch.”
He comes up swinging. “You little—”
I take Toni’s advice, shove her out of the way, and let loose an uppercut that sends him sprawling.
“Well done, Mr. Santiago.” I’m relieved to see handcuffs on his wrists.
“We’ve got a lot to talk about, Ricky,” I say, picking up Toni and shaking my head as he’s led away.
He hangs his head as he’s led outside.
Toni buries her face on my shoulder and begins to cry. I find a chair and sit down, holding her as I take my phone out of my pocket with a trembling hand. I found her. She’s okay. Prince is safe beside her and she wriggles down, letting Prince lick her tear-stained face while I dial Samantha.
She answers on the first ring.
“I’ve got them. They’re safe. They’re with me.”
It’s the first time in my life I could say such a thing.
They’re safe.
They’re with me.
I like that it’s true.
“Oh, thank God,” Samantha says, and I can tell she’s been crying. “Where are you now?”
“Down by the river. I’ll bring them both home.”
“We have questions and will need quite a few answers when you get back. We have to talk.” Is it in my head, or does she sound like she’s referring to more than what happened today? Then I remember what Raul told me earlier.