Instead, ease soothed my body.
What’s wrong with me?
I didn’t try to push the calm away. We were riding. Now was a time to get some rest and come up with a new plan to escape.
There’s nothing I can do now. I might as well enjoy the ride while I can.
Hugging Dr. Fuzzy, I closed my eyes, telling myself I was trying to hear the music deeper. Seconds later, a thick garment was thrown over me. It was probably Cain’s jacket.
Then, darkness enveloped me and I descended into sleep.
Chapter 13
Tsk. Tsk.
CAIN
A
fter a few hours of driving, Paradise City finally loomed before me.
It was a labyrinth of concrete and glass. The skyscrapers served as steel canyons, towering over wide lit streets and bustling roads that remained busy day and night.
So close to the city, the traffic never stopped pouring in and flooding parts of Caviar Lime Highway.
Relieved, I took the exit, left the highway, and entered the city.
At least I beat Morning rush hour traffic.
Homeless people huddled around the city’s sign.
Welcome to Paradise.
Some slept under makeshift canopies that hung between two trees. Others were huddled up beneath a tattered shelter that looked as if it were fashioned from sheets of plastic.
A sense of sadness washed over me.
I always felt powerless and hopeless in this city. There were too many people to help—too many problems to solve.
I made a right toward the edgier parts of the city’s downtown. Trash littered the sidewalk. Several people in designer suits rushed by more of the sick and homeless, unaware and completely unconcerned with them.
Up ahead, I spotted two cops chasing a teenager.
I rounded the corner and caught an old man yanking his pants down in front of a group of women strolling by. Thankfully, I didn’t get a view of what he was showing them.
Unfortunately, they did. One slung her coffee at him. The brown liquid splashed on his face. He fell to the ground and screamed in horror.
Well. . .that’s what you get.
Being a country boy at heart, I had a small disdain for this place too. The city was always too crowded for me. Too loud. Too full of smoke and pollution. Too dirty. Too overhyped. Too expensive.
I never got why so many entranced people flocked to Paradise. Few survived this place. In order to do so one had to have tough skin and a heart of steel. If not, the city would swallow them up.
That was why I’d made this city my main hunting ground. It was also full of pedophiles and murderers, rapists and criminals of the worst kind. All I had to do was check Paradise’s news to find the perfect predator.
Will I have time to hunt someone after this job?
I glanced at Phoenix and then looked back in front of me.
No. I need to get her used to the idea of her and me first.
I drove forward.
The asphalt roads that led me to the northern part of Paradise were smooth, and I was grateful for the cool relaxing ride. The opera music soothed me. What really eased my nerves was that Phoenix was finally with me.
I should have kept my gaze on the road, but I spent a lot of time sneaking glances her way. Sometimes, I tried to stay focused, but still I turned my head. Even when she was sleeping, she drew my attention back to her.
How can I concentrate on anything else? I finally have her.
Her scent was intoxicating to the point of madness.
She looked so beautiful as she comfortably lay on the seat beside me, her head and shoulders propped against the seat. Her eyes were closed, and a soft smile played upon her lips. Her breaths went in and out, slow and even. She radiated a quiet peace.
It was too bad that we had this last job to do before retirement. I only wanted to spend time with Phoenix.
Plus, I didn’t know what I would do with her while we were on the job.
I’ll figure something out.
I pulled up to the donut shop, Piece of Cake and parked. No cars filled the parking lot. I checked my watch.
7:45. He’ll be opening up soon.
I turned around, leaned in the back, and gently tapped West’s leg.
West yawned.
I whispered. “Get up, West.”
Blinking open his eyes, West stretched his arms. “Are we there?”
“Yeah. Watch Phoenix for me.”
West rubbed his eyes with one hand and pulled out his gun with the other. “She’ll be here when you get back. Handle business.”
Keeping my voice low, I tapped Griff’s knee. “Wake up.”
Groaning, Griff rolled over to face the other direction and went back to sleep.
West bumped his back hard. “Eh. Get up.”
Griff remained still.
I tapped his leg. “Time for donuts, Griff.”
“Huh?” He slowly raised his head.
Of course that would wake him.
I grinned. “We’re here.”
Yawning, he sat up. “Bout fucking time, man.”
I left the car and waited for my brother to do the same. Griff always took forever to fully wake.