The Day After Never - Retribution (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 4) by Russell Blake Page B

collision course with disaster if he kept on the road he was on, and Whitely wanted no part of the inevitable flameout that would be the reward for his addictions.
    So Whitely would return to Lubbock without announcing his departure, and deal with any consequences from afar.
     

Chapter 14
    Clouds gathered overhead as Lucas led Tango and Nugget on foot through the early morning fog to Ruby’s house, where Sierra was standing outside hugging Eve close as the little girl struggled to put a brave face on her distress at seeing the two people she was closest to in the world ride away. She looked up at the sound of the horses approaching and broke away from Sierra, surprising Lucas when she threw her arms around his waist and sobbed.
    He stopped midstride, unsure of how to react, and then Eve stepped away and fixed him with her piercing blue eyes.
    “Promise me you’ll come back,” she said with precision beyond her years. “Both of you. Promise.”
    “Don’t worry, Eve. We’ll be back,” he said.
    “Then promise,” she pressed.
    He glanced at Sierra, who nodded once, her eyebrows raised. He turned back to Eve and tried a smile.
    She wasn’t buying it.
    He sighed and knelt in front of her. “I promise.”
    Eve pointed to Sierra. “And promise you’ll keep her safe.”
    “You drive a hard bargain. You been getting lessons from Duke?”
    “Promise,” she insisted.
    “Okay. I promise I’ll keep Sierra safe and that we’ll come back. And I’ll do the same for Tango and Nugget. Throw them in for no extra charge. Satisfied?”
    Eve visibly relaxed. “Okay.”
    “Behave yourself with Ruby, you hear? I don’t want any reports of misbehavior,” he warned.
    “I’m always good,” Eve said.
    “I suppose you are. But I had to say it.”
    Ruby emerged from her front door and seemed to float toward them through the fog. “I thought I heard a ruckus out here. Why, look at how pretty you are this morning, Eve! I swear you get bigger every day. And thank you for bringing Ellie.”
    Sierra gave Ruby a kiss on the cheek in farewell. “Take good care of her,” she whispered to the older woman.
    “I intend to spoil her relentlessly. You won’t recognize her when you get back.”
    “Thanks, Ruby,” Lucas said, handing Sierra Nugget’s reins.
    Ruby looked him up and down. “It’s time?”
    “That it is.”
    “Good luck.”
    “Appreciate it.”
    “Don’t worry about her. Terry and I will see that she gets three squares and proper beatings.”
    Eve’s eyes widened, and Ruby smiled. “I’m kidding.”
    The others were waiting by the conference center. Their saddlebags had already been packed with the vaccine, which was secured in polystyrene containers Elliot had filched from a Chinese restaurant in town to insulate the contents from drastic temperature variations. Arnold nodded a curt greeting to them, and Colt grunted a monosyllable. George and John filled out their group; both were already astride their horses, obviously anxious to hit the road.
    Elliot emerged from the building and greeted them. “Good morning, lady and gentleman.”
    “Morning,” Lucas allowed. Sierra nodded.
    “I’ve already briefed the others, so they can fill you in on the trail.”
    “There’ll be more than enough time.”
    “Short version is you’re confirmed to rendezvous at a compound ten miles outside of Tulsa, where my associate Reynolds has a facility ready for vaccine production. Lower tech than we are, but the method of duplication is relatively straightforward now that we’ve got it right.”
    “We just drop it off, and that’s it?” Sierra asked.
    Elliot nodded. “That’s correct. They’ll take it from there.”
    “And then we’re free to go?” Lucas asked, more a statement than a question.
    “Yes. Do whatever you need to do.” Lucas had told Elliot that he’d be continuing south with Sierra once they’d fulfilled their obligation, and Elliot hadn’t raised any objection. “May God go with you