Thankfully, she had both pointed to the ground.
I spotted the kid, Devin from earlier. He sat behind the SUV’s wheel.
We walked over to her.
Quin looked at Dr. Fuzzy. “What’s up with the bear?”
“Long story.” Phoenix chuckled as she took in the vehicle. “A purple SUV is not that incognito, Quin.”
“It is, when in Paradise.” She lowered the shot gun more. “The Syndicate has locked down blue, yellow, green, and red. I had to search all over the place for a huge vehicle with a color that didn’t match those.”
“Thanks for coming.” Phoenix set the bags on the ground. Then, she placed Dr. Fuzzy on top of it. Next, she went to Quin’s side and hugged her.
Quin didn’t hug her back, but she did close her eyes and tremble. “I thought he killed you, Nix.”
“He didn’t.” Phoenix let her go and took the Smith and Wesson from her friend.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Phoenix having a gun, but I wouldn’t complain. She’d been close and helpful the whole time. If I showed her hints of mistrust now, it could crack what we were building between us.
Phoenix took the gun off safety, checked that it was loaded, and placed it back on safety. “I’m fine, Quin. It’s all going to be okay.”
“Bullshit. You’re not fine, if you need my help.” Quin turned her view to me. “By the way, what did you give my dog?”
“The same thing a vet would give him for a little rest.”
She sneered. “I’m going to little rest your ass.”
What?
I raised my eyebrows.
Griff chuckled. “I like her. Is the trunk open?”
Quin nodded.
“Thanks for helping us.” West winked at her and headed away. “I’m glad I didn’t kill you in the alley.”
“You might regret that later, motherfucker.” Quin kissed the air in his direction and then put her view back on me. “There was blood in Phoenix’s bedroom. Explain.”
“I doubt there was blood. I cleaned up good.”
“There were tons of blood drops on the mattress.”
I leaned my head to the side. “You took off the comforter and sheets?”
“I’m thorough.”
“I see.”
Phoenix cleared her throat. “We should go.”
Quin glared at me. “I cried when I saw the blood on the mattress.”
My heart warmed. “I’m sorry for your tears.”
“Calm down.” Quin held her free hand up. “It wasn’t a bunch of tears. Just one tear. It spilled fast, but I wiped it up really quick.”
“I apologize for the one tear. That wasn’t my intention. I simply wanted Phoenix back.”
Griff returned and grabbed our bags. “Maybe, you both should hug.”
“Then, we should get in the SUV and get the hell out of here.” Phoenix raised her shirt a few inches, tucked the gun inside her waistband, and pulled down her shirt. “I’m ready to find Pandora.”
“Me too.” Griff opened the side door and jumped in.
Quin moved her view to Phoenix. “What did this Pandora do?”
“She took my shoes.”
“Oh shit.” Quin widened her eyes. “We’re going to kill that bitch. Those are my shoes too.”
“Those are not yours too.”
“You were just holding them for me. We agreed.”
“I never said any bullshit like that.” Chuckling, Phoenix picked up Dr. Fuzzy, headed to the SUV and climbed in.
Quin looked at me and walked over.
I stared down at her.
“I don’t know what type of drugs you’ve given her, but I’ll play this game until we get the money.” Quin lowered her voice. “And then when there’s a great opportunity, I’m going to kill you.”
“You’ve taken away the element of surprise.”
“I wrote your name on bullets.” She winked, left, and went to the passenger seat.
West got to my side. “She’s nice.”
“A very sweet lady.”
West turned to the SUV. “Things seem okay with you and Phoenix.”
“They are.”
“But. . .Phoenix has a gun.”
I looked at him. “You want to take it from her?”
“No, sir.”
“Then, it is what it is.”
“She did help us earlier.” West shrugged. “That was good. But, are you sure Phoenix should have a gun right now?”
“I think it’s fine.”
“Think or know?”
“Think.”
“With the way this night is going—”
“I’ve got it.”
“I hope so.” West headed to the SUV.
I hope so too.
I got inside and sat down next to Phoenix in the back row. West and Griff were in the middle row in front of us.
Quin checked over her shoulder. “How do we find this bitch?”
“We need the key to the storage unit first. It may be at Piece of Cake in the North.” I pulled out my phone. “Do you need the address?”
“Never that. This is my fucking city.” Quin turned around. “Plus, everyone in Paradise knows Johnny Cupcakes.”
West tilted his head. “You’re from Paradise?”
“Yeah. Born here in Paradise, yet barely raised.”
West chuckled. “What part of Paradise.”
“Southside, baby. Where a hammer is called an axe and an axe is called a lollipop. And a Southie could kill you in seconds with either.” She turned around. “And they don’t need an axe or lollipop to do it. They just need a reason.”