Free Standing By (Road House) by Madison Stevens

here, bud.” Emilio swallowed the emotions threatening to bubble up.
    “Oh shit, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to help. Thought I could talk to them. Listen,” Nic got closer to the phone, “They want money. Get in the safe. Combination four, two, one.”
    Emilio furrowed his brow. They didn’t have a safe.
    The sound of Max’s laughter grated Emilio’s last nerve.
    “Bring me the money and bike soon. I don’t like waiting.” The phone went dead.
    Emilio sprang into action. In seconds, he was dressed and quickly lacing his boots.
    “What’s going on?” Pan padded into the sitting room, sheet wrapped firmly around her.
    “They have Nic.” Emilio stood and yanked open the drawer nearest him. Inside lay the guns his father left. He tucked them into the back of his pants and covered it with his shirt.
    “I’ll be dressed in just a sec.” Pan raced from the room but stopped when Emilio grabbed her hand.
    “You stay here.” He fixed her with a firm look. “It’s too dangerous.”
    “I can be your backup.” Pan pulled harder, struggling to maneuver out of his grip.
    “No!” he shouted. “No. You can’t be there. I just couldn’t take it. It’s bad enough they have Nic, and I don’t know what they might do.”
    “That’s why you need me,” she pleaded. Her heart wrenched at the thought of him in so much danger.
    Emilio pulled her to him and kissed her. Hard. Like he was trying to fill all his emotions in just one kiss. He pulled away and placed his forehead to hers.
    “I do need you,” he said hoarsely. “That’s why you can’t go. The thought of losing you kills me. I just can’t think about it. I need you here.”
    Both hands cupped her cheeks for one last tender kiss.
    “I love you,” he whispered and then rushed out the door.
     
    ***
     
    “Thanks for calling me, Pan,” Connor said. He paced the length of the sitting room taking in everything that she’d said. Maria and her mother stayed behind in case Nic happened to get away. It was a long shot but better than worrying about what was going on.
    “He just took off. Said something about trading his bike over the phone. My guess is that asshat Max is in deep and needs cash.” Pan picked at her nails.
    The detective had raced over the minute Pan had called. She watched as he made several calls. There was something going on tonight, and Max was in too deep to get out on his own. Worry ate at her over Nic. He had already been through so much. She only hoped they wouldn’t hurt him to force Emilio to make a trade.
    Emilio.
    Pan clinched her fist. You just don’t say you love someone and then take off, never knowing if they’ll see you alive again. If Max didn’t take him out, she just might.
    “Right. Thanks, Chuck.” Connor hung up the phone and turned to her. “So it looks like we were right about some kind of drop tonight. Likely Max is supposed to pay and just doesn’t have the money for it. Him shaking down Emilio only shows how desperate he is.”
    “So what does that mean?” Pan stood, ready to take action.
    “It means,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulder, trying to steer her back to the couch, “It means that I’m going to get over to the warehouse. Some of the guys will meet me there are soon as they can.”
    “What should I do?” Pan moved away from the couch.
    “You should wait here in case he comes back.” He patted her hand.
    Pan ripped it away and poked him in his oversized chest.
    “Listen here, bub. I’ve been ditched once tonight. After a long day of being chased, shot at, amazing sex and a love confession.” Pan stepped forward and puffed up until she was about as intimidating as she could get. “If you think you’re leaving me behind. Think. Again.”
    “We don’t have time for this shit.” Connor rubbed his forehead.
    Pan held firm. She was sick and tired of these dumbasses telling her what she should do.
    “Fine,” Connor said. “But you just make sure he knows I had no