24.

                                    

                                          
Sam
The next day...
                          
"She's been in her room all day," Burkhardt says. 
                          
"Thanks for stating the obvious," I mutter. 
                          
Him, me, Jackson, and Ramos-Sidra's temporary bodyguard for our trip-we're all in the kitchen, packing lunches for the long car ride. Rita ordered us to because she doesn't know what to do with us. Between sidra locking herself in her room and the trip right here, she's clueless about us. And whatever Sidra said to Rita before she broke down must've really stuck because Rita said no one was getting fired. No one even got a warning. I wish I could be as glad as the others but Sidra now knows I beat someone into a coma. I wanted to tell her-I was going to, it was in my letter. But when I decided to tell her in person, I was trying to figure out a decent way to tell her who I am. 
                          
Burkhardt continues. "She's been locked up in her room, she made no effort in showing us she wants to leave, why does Rita still think she's going on the trip?"
                          
"Because she is," I snap. "We all heard her..."
                          
I'm done, Sidra's voice repeats in my head. She looked so broken and-
                          
"I've never seen her like this," Jackson says. 
                          
"I told you," I say through my teeth. He rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut. I'm sure he wants to say something, even if he's not sure what to say exactly, he wants to speak, but his bruised and swollen nose reminds him to shut the hell up. I'm not cocky-I mean, I am, but at the moment, I'm not. I just want another go at him and I'm waiting for him to say something. 
                          
"Okay, enough," Burkhardt says annoyed. "Ramos, here." He tosses her a half a gallon Naked drink and she catches it with one hand then packs it in the cooler. I don't know much about her other than she's from Mexico. 
                          
We finish packing then carry the bags to the cars. We loaded them up then gathered near the front door. I can tell they've been dreading this conversation for a while now. 
                          
"Okay," Burkhardt sighs. "Who's going to get her?"
                          
"She's not some dog," I snap. "Stop talking about her like she's one."
                          
"Okay, who's going to get Sidra to come down? Better?" He asks me and I give him the finger. Fucking dick. 
                          
"I will," Ramos shrugs. Shit. I was afraid of her offering to go. I've been wanting to talk to Sidra all day and night, but if Ramos goes, I will never get a chance like this again. "I have no history with her."
                          
"That's exactly why you shouldn't go," Burkhardt says and I instantly regret giving him the finger. "She doesn't know who you are. You haven't even seen her other than the picture in her file. I should go." I take it back. Fucking dick. Jackson and Ramos nod then Burkhardt walks inside. 
                          
Fuck, there goes my last chance. 
                          
"Roback." I turn around to see Rita. When she has my attention, she calls off her guards and Ramos and Jackson. Not a good sign. I watch them climb into the cars, leaving only Rita and me alone in the driveway. "It's not decided yet, but Sidra got me thinking and I want you to be my bodyguard."
                          
"What?" I ask uncontrollably. What could Sidra have possibly said to Rita for her to make that decision? "I mean, are you sure that's what's best for us-I mean, our cover story, of course?"
                          
"What do you mean?"
                          
"Jackson's in his late forties. Burkhardt's in his late thirties. Most of your guards are too. Having three grown men following your eighteen-year-old daughter draws too much attention to us. But, of course, it's your decision." I try to smile.