I did as he said, but grabbed my partly carved block and stepped to the side.
Still pointing the gun my way, he moved forward and snatched up the money. “Who are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for a woman—”
“That’s easy. A bunch of women are over by the playground.” The kid chuckled and stuffed the twenties in his jacket pocket. “Good doing business with you.”
“Not that type of woman. This one is short, curvy, and has mahogany brown skin.”
The kid shrugged.
I continued, “She told me that her name was Phoenix. I’m not sure if that’s true or not.”
The line of the kid’s jaw twitched.
“However, she has a tattoo on her back that’s an image of a phoenix flying out of flames.”
The kid stirred, yet kept his mouth closed.
“And she has a best friend that she met here long ago, when they both lived here in the bathrooms over—”
“I don’t know her or her friend.” The kid backed up. “Have a good night.”
“Are you sure about not knowing her?”
“Never heard of her in my life.”
I studied him. “Where do you live?”
“Wherever I want to.”
I spotted teens heading into the bathrooms. “I’ve got more money for more information.”
The kid stepped back again and wore a stern expression. “Too bad I don’t have any more information for you. Just bullets.”
He definitely knows Phoenix. He’s hard like her, and very loyal. This could be a clue to lead me to her.
I pointed to the gift on the table. “I want to give this to her.”
His voice grew shaky. “Too bad I don’t know the woman to give it to.”
You do.
For the first time this week, excitement filled me. “What’s your name?”
He winked at me. “Most call me, the-guy-holding-the-gun.”
“I understand.”
“I’m glad you do. Now it’s time to leave my park.”
“I will. Have a goodnight.”
“You too.”
Shoving the wooden block under one arm, I grabbed the duffle bag as well as the gift and headed off in the other direction, never looking back. When I got far enough, I whispered, “Hey, West.”
My brother spoke in my ear. “Yeah?”
I went to my truck parked several feet away. “What’s the kid doing now?”
“He’s walking fast back to the bathrooms.”
I bet he is.
“West and Griff, I’m going to get in the truck and drive off.” I continued my pace. “ I want you both to keep your eyes on him. If he leaves, West, get on your bike and follow him.”
“Got you.”
I continued to my truck not once looking back.
When I arrived at my truck, West spoke, “I thought the kid would go in the bathroom.”
“What did he do?”
“He went behind the bathrooms. I lost view of him. Can you see him, Griff?”
“Got him.” Griff chuckled. “That little bastard has a Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike. I better follow too. He may lose West on his shit bike.”
Fuck yes.
“You both stay on him.” Getting excited, I took out my keys and hurried my pace. “I’ll catch up.”
“You think the kid will lead us to Phoenix?” Griff asked.
“If not, he’ll guide us to her friend. Then, she’ll lead us to Phoenix.”
“Thank God.” Griff sounded out of breath as if he were running to his bike. “I was so bored I almost asked one of those rundown chicks for a blow job.”
West chuckled. “Then, lucky for them we are on the move.”
Chapter 1
The Kid
CAIN
I
started the truck and headed off. “Griff, do you still see him?”
“I’m following him. The kid just hit Caviar Lime Highway.”
Confused, I squinted. “Heading to Paradise?”
“Naw. He’s heading west.” Griff’s signal broke up a little. “I’m two cars behind him.”
“Good. Give the kid space. He’ll be on guard.”
West jumped in. “I just made it on Caviar Lime now. I’ll catch up and you can fall back.”
My heart pounded in my chest. My body tensed. My nerves burned with white-hot intensity. It took all my strength to keep my speed reasonable, and only the strictest of self-governance allowed me to do so. There was a battle within me, amplified by the tension of the moment.
Will he lead us to Phoenix? Or is he just going somewhere unrelated?
This could be the day that I finally see her. Every second passing could be bringing me closer to her.
Every muscle, every cell of my being grew more intense with each second. Once I reached Phoenix, there would be no containing myself.
Griff disrupted my hysteria. “Hey. He’s already off the highway.”
“I caught sight of that.” West’s voice came on. “Exit 25B, right?”
“That’s the one.”
I entered Caviar Lime Highway. “I’m ten minutes away. Stay on him.”
“We should switch, Griff,” West added. “Just in case he spotted you.”
“Got you. I’m falling back.”
“Good,” West said. “I’m passing you now. Cain, after the exit, make a left. It’s called Temptation Boulevard.”
“Okay.” My knuckles whitened as I gripped the steering wheel and put my foot on the gas.
Fuck the police. Getting to her is more important.