Broken Highway: A Thomas Highway Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

Willis said.
“But unfortunately for you, this time it isn’t.”
    I looked at him with a sideways glance. “I’m
starting to wonder if this back injury of yours is real,” I said.
“Or just some ploy to get me to do all the dirty work.”
    “You know I wish I could handle this
myself,” Willis said.
    “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m just messing with
you,” I said. “So how should we play it? You want me to take him
while he’s still in the club?”
    “I’d rather not do it with a crowd watching;
especially the one that’s bound to be in there. Too many unknown
variables to account for. Not to mention the bouncers.”
    “That makes sense,” I said. “What did you
have in mind?”
    “I figure you can go in and pick a fight
with them, and then when the whole lot of you get thrown out, I can
step in and offer a hand amidst the confusion.”
    “I thought your back was hurting too bad to
mix it up?”
    “I never said it was hurting. I said the
doctor told me not to stress it too much. But I’m sure I can offer
a little assistance if necessary.”
    I was about to say it sounded like a decent
enough plan to me when Willis’s cell rang out in a short burst of
music, something with a country twang to it. He picked up the phone
and looked at the readout.
    “That’s Savannah. I wonder what she
wants.”
    “Well answer it already and find out,” I
said. “I can’t stand any more of that crap you call music.”
    Willis smiled and pressed a button and
brought the phone up to his ear. “What’s up, baby?” A pause. “No
shit? All right. Thanks. I’ll settle up with you tomorrow.” He cut
off the connection and dropped the phone into the center
console.
    “Settle up?” I said, my brows raised.
    “You’re damn right,” Willis replied. “I’ll
settle her up and nice and good.”
    I laughed and shook my head. Typical Willis.
“So what did she have to say?”
    “That Pedroza is on his way out the front
door.”
    “Right now?”
    “As we speak.”
    My adrenalin spiked. “Should we make a move
now? Or follow him and see where he goes.”
    “I say we take him right here,” Willis said.
“Who knows where he’ll end up.” Willis looked around. The parking
lot was empty. “And we’re clear, so we should be able to get it
done without any interference.”
    “Then let’s do it,” I said. “You got your
cuffs on you?”
    “I got zipties in my pocket, ready to go.”
Willis said. “But we have to come up with a plan quickly. Here they
come.”
    I turned my attention to the club, where the
three men were stumbling out. They walked in a line; Pedroza in the
middle and his two buddies flanking him. They were all about the
same size, which made them about 2 inches taller and 20 pounds
heavier than me. All were moving erratically and talking loudly. It
was obvious they were wasted. Which went a long way towards evening
the odds.
    “We’ll keep it simple,” I said. “I’ll keep
them distracted while you sneak around behind them for the
endgame.”
    “You don’t want to approach them
together?”
    “Hell no,” I said. “If these guys see two
men coming—especially if one is you—chances are they’ll just make a
run for it. And I don’t feel like chasing anyone down.”
    “But if you go by yourself—”
    “I should be able to get up on them before
they know what hit them,” I said. “And even if not, it’s not like
they’re going to see me as a threat. They’ll probably be chomping
at the bit to kick my ass.”
    “You can justify it however you want,”
Willis said. “But I know you, Highway. You want to have all the fun
to yourself.”
    With a straight face, I said, “Well, we
wouldn’t want to place any undue stress on your back, would
we?”
    Willis laughed, shook his head. “All right,”
he said. “Have it your way. But don’t get too cocky. Even wasted,
those three are some formidable foes.”
    “Don’t worry about me,” I said. “I’m a SEAL,
remember? I eat guys like