“Phoenix would die for me.” Quin sneered. “I damn sure would die for her, especially if it means taking out her boogeyman. She deserves to have some happiness and freedom.”
“And the boy?” I gestured at Devin. “Should he die for Phoenix too?”
Quin’s expression cracked. “Give me the fucking present.”
West grabbed it. When he came over, he handed the gift to Devin, forcing the kid to put one gun up.
Quin eyed me. “What’s in the box?”
“Memories.”
“And if I decide to throw it in the trash and not give it to her?”
“Then, I’ll come for you and cover your pretty face with blood.”
She inched back, but I didn’t think she’d meant too. “And how would you know that I didn’t give the present to Phoenix?”
“I’ll know because Phoenix won’t respond.”
“She won’t respond either way.”
“She will. You just won’t know.”
Quin shook her head. “Why are you giving her a present to begin with?”
“She gave me back the money and didn’t get the cops involved. I respect that.”
“Then, respect her by never coming after her again.” Quin motioned to Devin. “Let’s go.”
Devin held the gift. “Tell your brothers to put the guns on the ground. When they do, we leave.”
“I’m not putting my gun anywhere,” Griff explained. “If I do, then you’ll kill us all.”
I shook my head. “Listen to the kid.”
Griff sighed. “Cain, I don’t trust this bitch.”
Quin rolled her eyes.
I tensed. “Griff, she’s smart. She knows one body is easy to get rid of, but three would cause more problems. . .especially since there are already tons of police searching around for traffic violators.”
Griff grumbled. “That’s a lot of faith in this chick.”
“Do it.”
He must have because Devin lowered his gun and rushed back to the bike with the present.
Quin stared at me. “Do you have a good memory, Cole?”
“I do.”
“Then, remember this. 250 Lakeshore Drive.”
I quirked my brows.
“That’s my address. You don’t ever torture Phoenix again over my address.” Quin put the shot gun down and raced for the bike.
Seconds later, Quin and Devin left.
I finally lowered my hands.
We watched them disappear.
Griff put his gun up. “She was hot. I wonder if she’s single.”
West looked at me. “You think she’ll give Phoenix the present?”
“I do. If not, the guns the kid took also have trackers.” I went back to the truck, pulled out my phone, and turned on the tracker’s screen. “There we go. They’re heading to the West of Glory.”
Griff took out his phone and typed into it. “I put Quin’s address in, just in case we need it later.”
I watched the tracker’s light speed away. “We won’t. Quin will give the gift to Phoenix. The tracker in the blade is tiny and deep. Plus, the kid will keep the guns on him. I’m so glad he took those.”
Griff grinned. “Sometimes it doesn’t pay to steal.”
Excitement rushed through me. “We’re almost done, guys.”
Griff stepped in front of me. “After we find her place. . .then what?”
“Then, I take Phoenix and we go.”
Griff frowned. “But, you said there will be donuts.”
Heading to his bike, West let out a loud sigh. “No one is forgetting about the damn donuts.”
“I’m just saying. Cain didn’t mention it.” Griff walked over to his bike. “It’s been Phoenix, Phoenix, Phoenix each day, yet no one is talking about the donuts.”
“My apologies.” I jumped back into the truck and pressed the button to the cargo bed. “First, I fix the flat tires. Second, I grab Phoenix. Then, we get your donuts.”
“Then, the job in Paradise?” West asked.
I nodded. “Then, the job in Paradise.”
West raised his eyebrows. “You think I should book the place on Airbnb now?”
“Book it. We should be able to be checking-in tomorrow morning.”
West leaned his head to the side. “You’re that confident?”
“I am.”
“Hell yes! And we go to Piece of Cake before the house.” Griff grinned. “I want a dozen of the Mother’s Milk donuts. I don’t know what it is about them, but they are impossibly creamy and yummy.”
“I must admit,” West rubbed his stomach. “I am getting excited about the bakery too. But I don’t want donuts. I want that caviar lime cake. I don’t know what they put in the icing, but it’s addictive.”
“Then, a dozen donuts for Griff and a whole caviar lime cake for West.” I left the truck to work on the tires. “Let’s go get Phoenix.”
“Finally.”
West pulled out his phone. “And I’ll let Johnny Cupcakes know that we’re ready to hear about the job.”
Chapter 5
The Gift
PHOENIX
S
queak.
Where are they?
I sat at my small table and held my gun.
Squeak. Squeak.
Every two or three minutes, I checked the gun for bullets, making sure it was full, making sure I was ready for the worst.
Squeak.
My phone lay on the table.
Quin, what’s going on? What’s taking you so long?
Silence filled the apartment besides the squeaking in my bedroom from Quin’s dog, Boss.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.