43. Secure

**Doug**

I get restless waiting in the car, but there's nothing that I can do but wait. So I wait...and wait, and wait some more. I am getting frustrated as the minutes pass by for what feels like hours. Hell, it feels like I've been waiting for the longest time until I see shadows coming from the front gate.

*Wait I thought they were coming in from the side entrance. Is it really that easy?*

My questions are left unanswered when I see Dad running with another person. I am too nervous thinking they didn't find Jodie. But then as Dad gets closer I can see that he has his hand on someone's waist, as if he's helping that person. *Is that Jodie?* I drive the car towards them and quickly unlocked the door. I never felt so relieved in my entire life.

Dad pushes Jodie into the back passenger seat, buckling her while telling me to floor it. "NOW, Son! Lester is taking care of Maverick back there but we don't know what kind of backup they have. My men are five minutes away, Lester should be fine. We need to vanish. Follow the GPS."

I don't even have time to check on Jodie, but I trust Dad will take care of her. So I follow through with his order and speed off, making our way straight onto the highway. It takes us another hour until we reach a dense woodsy area. I follow the GPS and drive deeper into the forest. The trail is barely noticeable and I almost missed the left turn leading to a one-car trail into the dark woodsy area. The place looks like it is straight out of a slasher movie and the silence surrounding the forest will certainly freak a city guy like me if I am not focused on the woman with droopy eyes sitting beside Dad.

"Stop right here, we need to hide the car just in case they find the house. We don't need our car being tampered with while we're inside the safehouse." Dad instructed like he has many experiences behind him. I guess it's true, though I still want to remember him as my Dad, not some right-hand man to a crime boss with Cash as his street name.

*God...* It feels like it's been months since I talked to the biker crew.

I help Jodie unbuckle her seatbelt while Dad is busy with the two duffel bags in the back of the SUV, I see him shoving more guns into one of the bags. I want to assure Jodie that we are safe but I didn't when Dad was going in heavy with his guns.

"Walk towards those trees," he points to two trees to our left. I nod and follow his direction. Jodie is barely on her feet, her body weight leaned mostly to my side. I assume that she was drugged and that makes me walk faster, wanting to get to the safety that Dad tells us to go.

When I finally see the small cottage I am relieved and decide to carry Jodie to get there faster. She stirs in my arms, and snuggles in closer to my chest, as if she's taking comfort in my scent.

"There are three rooms here, you and Jodie get the one on your left, the bed is bigger. I'll take the right one by the small kitchen. Go, get her settled in. I will contact my men. There should be a change of clothes in the dresser, toiletries are under the sink. You can join me when you're ready. The kitchen is fully stocked so we will be okay for a few weeks if needed."

Dad goes into his room with his duffle bags while I get Jodie to our room. "Hey, baby,"

"Doug...I was so scared,"

"I know, love, you're safe now. I'm sorry we didn't get to you sooner." I kneel on the other side of the tub, after gently stripping her naked and filling it with warm water. I kiss her forehead and help her sit in the simple bathtub. The adjoining bathroom was small and comfortable. I search under the sink for toiletries and some towels while I wait for her to soak, hoping to wash away her anxiety.

"Better?"

"Thank you," she nods and lets me help her out of the tub and dry her body. I find a fresh set of sweat pants that is a couple of sizes too big for her but I know it'll keep her warm, same with the long sleeve t-shirt. She lets me dress her and she even asks me for a toothbrush. So I hold her to my side and wait as she brushes her teeth before we exit the bathroom and into the bedroom.

I tuck her under the blanket and she puts herself in a fetal position. I want to hold her in my arms, but I know I need to talk to Dad before I can hold her for the rest of the night.

"Jodie, baby, I need to go talk to Dad and make sure the place is secure before I can rest with you. Will you be okay? I will only be in the kitchen, I'm going to get you water too. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, I will be fine, thank you."

I really don't want to leave her, but I manage to do it and walk out of our temporary room to find Dad. The man is pouring a glass of what looks like Black Label whiskey, not the expensive kind that he drinks but I'm guessing he's going to drink it since it's there.

"Son, how's Jodie?" He asks once he sees me walking towards him. He takes the bottle and pours another one for me before taking a seat on the living room couch.

"She's resting, still confused but I guess it's normal. What exactly happened, Dad?"

My old man huffs before he finishes his drink and rests back on the couch. He strips his guns and puts them on the coffee table by his empty glass. "Her stupid father decided to marry her off to Maverick to gain protection. Lester and my men had secured them. Jodie will have a lot on her mind, the man is a bastard and she had had enough to deal with."

I nod and take a sip of my drink. "How long are we staying here?"

"I will stay for a day or two. Lester will pick me up and bring supplies. But you and Jodie are going to stay here until I send someone to pick you up. I'm going to secure her mother and sister. I need to keep you both safe. I'll provide you with a burner phone to call me on a safe line, just in case someone is paying closer attention to both of you."

I look at my Dad, I am still amazed that he's taking further security measures. My mind is busy thinking just how dangerous his job really is. "This feels so unreal, Dad, I can't believe this is happening. It's like you're living a double life. I...I kind of assume your work is dangerous, but this..."

"Son, I've been doing this for decades. We're going to be alright."

"Shit," I curse and finish my drink and hisses when it burns my throat.

"Yeah, that's what you get when you drink this cheap stuff." He chuckles and pats my back. "I'll get Lester to bring you the good stuff when he picks me up. Why don't you make a list of everything you need to hunker down for a week or two and I'll get my guys to sort them out and bring it with Lester."

"Will you check on my bar?" I question, wanting things to be normal, well...as normal as it can be. "I know Billy will be able to manage everything for me. Just tell him I'm visiting Jodie's family."

"Smart, staying close with the lies." Dad grins and I shake my head.

"Thank you, Dad, I don't know what I do without your help."

"Don't. This is a mess that I was not expecting. I'd never want you to be involved in my work, but here you are. So I'm going to do my best to protect you and now Jodie. Go, take your rest. We'll talk again in the morning."

I hug him and leave him to get back to Jodie. After a quick shower, I join her under the blanket. The night has been disastrous and I need to be there for her. I hate seeing her fragile state, but at least she lets me hold her. I kiss the top of her head and tell her that I love her, she relaxes and nuzzles closer to me.