The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor(82)

“Because I love her,” Luke said, nervous for an entirely different reason than the fact they were surrounded by explosives.

“W-would you—” Simon’s voice hitched. Luke picked up the last box.

“Would I what?”

“Would you want me, too?”

Luke couldn’t have been more surprised if the dynamite had exploded. “Sure, I want you, too. You’re a package deal. Why would you even have to ask that?” He crouched down next to Simon and, after making another sweep with his eyes, slid his hands under the boy’s body and gently raised him into a sitting position. “Careful. No fast movements. We’re not out of this yet.”

“I’m troublesome.” Simon blinked up at him. “I heard mom and dad fighting one night. Before he went away. I’m always doing something wrong or stupid. I make people tired. I don’t mean to, and I promise if you marry my mom, I’ll try to do better. Just—”

“Just what?”

“Just please don’t go away like my dad did.”

Luke never realized he’d had a heart to break. Simon needed him as much as Luke needed the boy and Holly. He wasn’t going anywhere. “I’ll tell you what.” Luke planted his feet and readied himself to pick up Simon. “When we get out of here, you and your mom and I are going to sit down and have a very long talk about all those things you haven’t told her.”

“What things?” Simon asked.

“Like what you just told me. And all those things in your notebook. We’ll go over all your notes, look at all those things you’ve been keeping track of. And we’ll have a discussion about spying on people like Kyle.”

“You read my notebook?”

“I didn’t have to,” Luke said. “I used to keep one myself. It’s the best place to hide secrets. Now. Are you ready to get out of here?”

Big brown eyes blinked at him. “Yes, please.”

Luke heard sirens blare in the distance. Not a minute too soon. Shuffling footsteps echoed outside. Simon had been right. His left arm was broken, which meant he wasn’t going to be much help. “First, we’re going to stand you up, and then I’ll carry you out of here, okay? Let me do the work, and when I give the word, you get to your feet and stand exactly where I show you. Understand?”

“Uh-huh.” Simon nodded as Luke stood, bent down and gripped Simon around the waist. “Ready...now.” Luke hefted him up. “Good job.” Simon was clear. “Now I’m going to lift you up.” By now he knew the way out of the debris. At least he hoped he did. They were so close.

A voice nearby shouted, “Luke! Trucks are almost here. Two minutes out.”

“Deputy Knight,” Simon announced.

“I hear him.” Luke couldn’t have asked for better backup. “We’re on our way out now!” Luke called. “Open the door! Simon, when I give the word, you run as fast as you can. Do not look back, don’t wait for me, you run. Your mom’s waiting for you.”

Simon flashed a grin. “Got it.”

Luke heard it before he saw Matt pull the door open, shoving his body inside to keep it open. The surrounding wood began to give. The roof rumbled, trembling under the uneven weight. A branch crashed through the far wall, sending wood and dirt raining down on them. Luke bent over to protect Simon. They were out of time.

The second he could see daylight through the door, he readjusted his grasp on Simon. “Take him!” Luke practically threw the boy toward Knight. Knight caught him like a football, hesitating before Luke yelled out, “Run!”

Luke dived through the door after them.

Daylight burst against Luke’s eyes as he watched Knight move faster than any man with two good legs might have. Seconds later he saw Holly racing down the path, gathering Simon into her arms as she looked at Luke over the top of her son’s head.

He heard crashing inside the cabin, but Luke couldn’t tear his eyes away. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight than that of Holly holding Simon, Cash protectively circling. All was right in the world again. Luke bent over, huffing, and wiped the sweat out of his eyes. He hadn’t failed. This time had been different. History hadn’t repeated itself. Simon was alive.

And so was he. But he wasn’t done. Not when Winters was still inside. “I’m going back—” he yelled to Holly and Matt, who both stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. Matt confronted him, the expression on his face reminding Luke of a charging bull.

“The hell you are! That place is too dangerous—” Matt’s eyes widened as he raced toward Luke, pulling out his sidearm. “Behind you!”