“Cash,” Sienna said, as I approached. “Hey.”
“Have you talked to her?” I asked, trying to keep my cool as best as I could.
She didn’t need to ask who. “Once. I texted her this morning to see how she was doing, and she’s good. She’s moving on, and I suggest you do the same.”
I nodded because, as much as I hated to admit it, Sienna was right. “Yeah, I am,” I said. “I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“She is,” Sienna assured me, and patted my shoulder, as she moved past me.
Kade came up to us, and pointed to Sienna as she walked away. “What was that about?” he asked.
“Nothing. Come on, you can help me change the brakes on that Caddie.”
We started heading back to the garage when we heard Nick call out our names. Kade and I turned to face him. This was not going to be good. His face had the look of disappointment and annoyance. We waited for him to approach, and I wondered what else could fucking go wrong. “We have a problem, boys,” he said, as he got in earshot.
“Miles got picked up in fucking Montana by the local cops.”
“For what?”
“Fucking suspended license,” Nick answered. “For unpaid parking tickets. They let Dice take the truck. He’s fucking lucky. We need that shipment here in two days. Dice is on his way back, so I need you two to go get Miles.”
“Tell him to take the fucking bus,” I suggested.
“I would, if the asshole didn’t resist arrest and punch an officer in the face. They’re holding him.”
“In other words, we’re not bailing him out. We’re busting him out,” Kade clarified.
“Fucking moron,” I mumbled. “He’s going to owe me gas money.” Still, it was a much needed distraction with all the shit that was going on. “Let me finish with this car, and we’ll take off.”
“If Dice doesn’t get here in the next twenty-four hours, I’m going to have to make a visit to the doctor. And none of that pad bullshit he gave you. We’ll need access to the shit at the hospital.”
“I don’t think he’ll give it to you again,” I said.
“We let him into our business and saved his fucking house so his family wouldn’t know he was a fuck up who gambled their savings away. I don’t care what he gives me. He will do it. He made a deal and now it’s his turn to pay up unless he wants his family to know.”
Kade looked around and then leaned in. “Any word on the body?”
“Cops found it. No signs point to us. Stanson filled me in a little on the Gordita bitch. She’s been deported before, but managed to get her fat ass back into the states. The cops fear her and her boys since the bastards have shot at them before. A cop was killed last month, and all evidence is pinning them as the shooter, but it’s not enough to make identification. We have to keep them out of Black Hills because, not only will they take the drug business, they’ll take our other income. Once the stores stop feeling safe, they’ll stop payments. We can’t afford for either of those things to happen.”
“I’ll keep my eye and ear on the bitch, and I have Stanson working to dig up what he can. Get to Montana and get back as fast as you can. And do me a favor. Stay under the radar.
“You take the car,” Kade said. “Me and Hudson will ride.”
If we were busting Miles out of jail, we needed Hudson to hack their computer system and clear Miles’s history. It was the only way to get in and out without leaving a trace.
“We’ll need a diversion,” Kade said as Nick left us to it.
“Good thing we have a thirteen hour fucking drive to think about it,” I joked. “Remind me to kick Miles ass when we get there.”
Kade laughed. “You’ll have to get in line. I have first dibs.”
A couple hours later, I was behind the wheel of my 1970 Black Chevelle with the original white racing stripes. It was my old man’s car, and the first thing he bought when he got home from Vietnam. After Mom left, he never dated. He had his fuck buddies, but he said the only girl he needed in his life was his car. He treated the car better than he treated most people and, when he died, I made a promise to myself that I would take care of it.
Taking care of it also meant driving it. One thing my old man hated about classic cars was that people only took them out on sunny days and for short periods of time before parking them back in their garage. A car was a machine built to be driven, and my old man drove this car everyday up until he died.
When I turned onto the highway, the sun pouring through the windows, and the open road ahead of us, I felt as if the old man with me. I cracked the window, put my sunglasses on and lit my cigarette. I had thirteen hours ahead of me, and I only hoped that by the time we reached Montana I’d have shit figured out.
Aubree
Blood poured from the wound in his head, and I stood there with the gun in my hands. But it was the wrong head. I shot the wrong guy. Cash was lifeless on the floor. No! I tried to scream out, but the words were strangled in my throat. I struggled to force them out, but there was only silence.
I dropped to my knees, taking his head into my arms. Crimson dyed his dirty blond strands, and matted around the wound. I pressed my hands to his head to try and stop the bleeding, but there was so much. Too much. It poured through my fingers, and tears spilled from my eyes. No. This couldn’t be happening.
“Cash!” I screamed, sobs wracking my body as I rocked his head back and forth.
The guy who should have been dead crawled out from under the bed, his eyes black as night. Murder was in his gaze, and he focused on me. He got to his feet and lunged. I went to run, but my legs were stuck as if they were cemented to the floor. His strong hand wrapped around my throat and he squeezed, cutting off my air supply. I clawed at his hand, but neither his grip nor the murderous look in his eyes waned.
“Get ready to know what death feels like, you little bitch,” he growled.
My arms flailed, hands scratched at his, trying frantically to survive. I was too young to die. My nails dug deep into his skin, determined to break free, but it only made his grip tighten.
The light around me dimmed, and the blackness began to consume me.
No. No. No! I tossed and turned, and, suddenly, his hand loosened. My body flung forward, and I gasped for air.
My eyes opened, and I felt the warmth of my down comforter beneath me. Felt the cool breeze from the central air, streaming through my vent, and the early morning light shone through my bedroom window. I took in deep breaths, trying to gain back all that I felt I had lost.
I grabbed my throat, making sure everything was okay. I closed my eyes, assuring myself I was home and safe. No one could hurt me. Cash was alive, and I was safe. He said he took care of everything, and all I had to do was forget it happened.
And I tried. But the nightmares were so vivid, and I couldn’t control them. I returned to my old life, and tried to pretend that dreadful night never happened, but the memories were engraved in my mind. No matter how hard I forced them away, they always found their way to the surface, taunting me and making me wish I could take it all back.
I didn’t regret pulling that trigger. If I didn’t, that guy would have killed Cash, and that was something I wouldn’t have been able to live with. But, maybe if we didn’t go back to Cash’s or if that guy never showed up, Cash would still be in my life. I wouldn’t be a murderer, harboring a secret so horrible that it could ruin me. I wouldn’t need to figure my life out if I was locked behind bars. I wouldn’t even need to have to worry about my clothes. Though, I hated orange. My stylist told me it wasn’t a good color for me, and the thought of wearing a jumpsuit…
I took a deep breath. I didn’t have to worry about that stuff. Cash said he would protect me, and I believed him. I picked up my cell phone, and thought about texting him. I just wanted to hear from him, and know that he was okay.
I tapped in a few words, but quickly deleted them. I was an idiot. Of course, he was okay. A dead body in his house was probably ju
st a typical day for him. I tossed my phone in the drawer, and headed for the shower.
The best thing for me to do was go about my day as I always had, and I’d already slept later than usual.
The hot steam felt good against my skin, and I hoped the water would wash away those horrible thoughts, but no amount of scrubbing seemed to help. I thought about shopping at Rainier Square, about taking weekend trips to Vancouver, and lunches at the club. It was the life I was accustomed to, and one I wanted out of just a few days ago. Now, I wasn’t sure what I wanted. At least, the life I was used to was safe.
I finished getting dressed and headed downstairs. Dad walked into the foyer, holding his golf clubs on his right arm. He was dressed in his usual Saturday morning golf outing attire: khaki pants and a striped polo. Today’s was light blue with white stripes.
“Hey, Daddy,” I said, as he placed the bag on the ground. I descended the last step, and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, pumpkin.” I smiled at the nickname he had been calling me since I could remember. Dad was the total opposite of Cash: clean cut, and not a single tattoo or scar. Yet, despite his lack of ruggedness, he had one thing in common with Cash. They both made me feel safe. Even when Cash was on the ground fighting for his life, I knew he would never let anything happen to me, just as I knew Dad wouldn’t.
“How’d it go today?” I asked because he loved to talk about his golf swing, and I wanted to get Cash out of my head.
“Really good. I almost missed my tee time because of traffic, but I hit a par 4, and a near eagle.” Dad walked out to the outdoor patio, and I followed, as he continued to tell me all about his game. We both sat down at the outdoor bar that was stocked with all of Dad’s favorite bottles of scotch.
“You just keep getting better and better,” I said, crossing my legs and resting my elbow on the marble surface.
“You know, I saw William at the club. We played a round together.”
“Oh. That’s nice,” I said, not liking the turn this conversation was taking.
“He said his company is doing really well. He has a lot of financial backers and more are coming in every day.”
“I’m happy for him,” I said, while playing with the bottom hem of my skirt.
“He also told me you turned down his proposal.” A rush of air escaped my mouth, and I didn’t even try to hide my frustrations. The last thing I felt like discussing was the status of my and William’s relationship.
“So…”
A loud bang startled me as Dad’s fist came down on the bar. “Goddamn it, Aubree. What are you doing here? What were you thinking? He can provide a good life for you.” My father’s voice rose, and it took me by surprise. Out of my parents, he was usually the calm one.
I glanced up, and Dad had fire in his eyes. I’d never seen him look so angry and annoyed. It scared me, and I wondered why something as silly as me rejecting a man’s proposal could create such hostility.
“I want more than just a good life,” I explained.
“What more is there?” Dad questioned. “He can give you a home and security. You will never have to worry about anything.”
“Love!” I finally yelled. “I want love, Dad. And I don’t think I love William. The house, security… all of that means nothing to me if I don’t get love with it.”
“You learn to love the person you’re with,” Dad stated dryly.
“How romantic,” I scoffed. “No wonder you won Mom over.”
“Watch your tone with me, young lady,” Dad said, pointing his finger at me and the single gesture curdled my stomach. I wanted to rip it off, and shove it back in his face.
“How dare you make me feel guilty about not wanting to marry someone? Isn’t it my choice who I get to spend the rest of my life with? Isn’t it?!”
“You will not talk to me that way!” He stood up from the barstool. “We allowed you to come home. To take a year off, to figure out whatever it is you need to figure out. But that didn’t mean you can come home to sleep your mornings away and disappear at night. If you are in this house, you have obligations to uphold. Starting with tonight.”
“What’s tonight?” I questioned.
“I invited William over for dinner.”
“Dad! No. You can’t involve yourself in my life like that. I already made my decision.”
“I don’t want to hear it. You’re living under my roof which means you will abide by my rules. William is coming over for dinner tonight and you will be here, dressed and with a smile on your face. You got it?”
What was I supposed to do? Throw myself on the floor, kicking and screaming until I was blue in the face. It wouldn’t make a difference. “Yeah,” I finally said.
“Good.” Dad got to his feet and straightened his Rolex. “And I know you think I’m punishing you, and I’m sorry, but one day you will realize that I have your best interest at heart.”
“You’re right. I do feel like you’re punishing me. But, you’re also wrong about something. Because I don’t think that the day will ever come when I feel like you have my best interest at heart. Forcing me onto someone I don’t love is in your best interest and I will never believe otherwise. So, I will dress for dinner. I will be there and be the good obedient daughter you raised me to be. I will even speak to William, but I do not have to and will not act like I’m enjoying it.”
I stormed away, and back up the stairs, needing distance from the one man who I always thought I could count on.
* * *
The scent of garlic and spices drifted out from the kitchen, and filled the house. I had changed into my yellow dress, the same one I wore the night I met Cash, and headed into the living room. The dress had always been my favorite, but, since that night, it was a reminder of what it felt like to make my own decisions.
Daddy might have thought he had the upper hand in my life right now, but he couldn’t be more wrong. What he didn’t know was that I’d grown up since meeting Cash. I wasn’t the same naïve girl that I was a few weeks ago. I’d seen and experienced another side of life that I didn’t even know existed. I killed a man for God’s sake. If that didn’t make you see your life in a different light than I didn’t know what would. What I did know was that I wasn’t going to be daddy’s little puppet anymore. I was not going to marry William just because he wanted me to. I wasn’t in love with him and I wasn’t going to sacrifice myself just to please my father. With that final thought, I readied myself for what was about to come and made my way to the living room,
In the living room, Mom and Dad had already started on their before dinner cocktails. Mom held a martini glass in her hand, and was appropriately dressed in a navy blue dress that fit her slim figure like a glove. A white pearl necklace sat against the dark material, making it the perfect accent.
“Darling, come have a drink,” Mom said as I walked into the room. “Larry, get Aubree a martini.”
“I don’t like martinis,” I said.
Mom laughed. “That’s nonsense. Who doesn’t like martinis?”
“Me,” I stated dryly, and Mom tilted her head as if this was information she had never heard before. As if she didn’t know that for me olives were the most disgusting thing ever created on this earth. Just the smell alone made me gag.
Dad walked over, and held out a rock glass. “Aubree prefers gin and tonic,” Dad said, and I smiled as I accepted the glass. Our eyes caught in a moment of unspoken apologies.
I didn’t know who that jerk was from earlier, but this man in front of me right now was my father. He paid attention when I spoke, and actually cared to remember. He knew everything about me, which was more than I could say for my mother. If it wasn’t about her, then she really had no use for it unless it was my brother, LJ. He was her baby, and could do no wrong. He stayed at school, and I almost wish he were here for the summer. At least, Mom would be occupied with him. I felt like the only reason I was around lately was to make her look good in front of her friends.
&nb
sp; So, when I decided to take a year off, she was the one who was not agreeable. While in school, she could brag to her friends that I had a 4.0 GPA, and that I was on the Honors Council, but now she had nothing. By trying to figure my life out, and where I wanted to be, I was more or less an embarrassment for her. In the beginning, it bothered me, and consumed me with guilt, but now I just didn’t care. I didn’t need to impress anyone. If there was anything I learned from my time with Cash, it was that we could all die tomorrow and it would mean nothing. The world wouldn’t stop spinning, and the early morning sun wouldn’t stop shining. Life would go on just as it always did, just the same as it would if I was making Mom proud or not. So, really, it just didn’t matter.
“It smells delicious. Martha is really outdoing herself tonight,” Dad said, referring to our cook who had been with us since I was six. She was an older woman with gray hair and big rosy cheeks that puffed up when she laughed. I had known her most of my life, and sometimes I felt like she knew more about me than my own mother. She knew I hated olives, and would never put them in the meals she cooked when I was home. She also knew that I loved asparagus, and would incorporate it into as many of the dishes as she could.
“Smells a little too garlicky for my liking, but we shall see,” Mom said, and I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes.
The doorbell rang and, even though I knew it was William, I was desperate to get away for a few moments. “I’ll get it,” I announced, and the happy glint in Dad’s eye didn’t go undetected.
I went to the door and pulled it open. William turned with his perfectly white teeth on full display. His light brown hair was combed to the side, and he looked the perfect gentleman in a green button-up, tucked nicely into dark tan slacks. Nothing about him said danger. He was as safe as being locked in a padded room.
“Aubree, it’s good to see you,” he said, and leaned in giving me a kiss on my cheek. He smelled of bergamot and lemon, a scent that used to turn me on, but now did nothing for me. He lingered for longer than necessary and, in an attempt to distance myself, I stepped out of the doorway.
Warrant (Righteous Outlaws #1) Page 10
