“Because?”
“Because I don’t want to take any chances on having to save the world all by myself.”
“I thought we figured that one out,” Diesel said.
“What if it was a fluke? Like, what if someone had just been asleep at the switch? There’s a lot at stake right now.”
Diesel helped himself to the wine and refilled my glass. “Let me know if you change your mind. I’m good on short notice.”
—
I changed my mind at ten o’clock when we shut the television off.
“Maybe we could try the pillow thing again,” I said. “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on my side.”
He wrapped his hand around my wrist and tugged me toward the stairs. “It would be easier if I had Hatchet.”
“He’s a nut.”
“True, but I have no desire to get him naked.”
“I don’t suppose you’d want to sleep with your clothes on.”
He tossed his jacket over a chair. “Don’t suppose I would, but feel free to wear whatever you want.”
I grabbed some flannel pajamas and changed in the bathroom. Diesel was already in bed when I came out.
“It’s July,” Diesel said. “Don’t you think you’ll be hot in flannel pajamas?”
“They feel cozy.”
“I bet.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
My smartphone alarm buzzed me awake. The room was pitch-black. I could feel Cat curled at my feet. I was cuddled next to Diesel. No pillows. I checked my pajamas. Still buttoned. Still on me. I eased out of bed, found some clothes in the dark, and went into the bathroom. I was showered and dressed in fifteen minutes. Diesel was still sleeping.
“No, I’m not,” Diesel said.
I turned the light on.
“That doesn’t mean I want the light on,” he said.
I turned the light off and went downstairs with Cat close on my heels.
I made coffee, fed Cat, and toasted a bagel. I hung my tote bag on my shoulder, poured my coffee into a to-go cup, and took a bite of the bagel. Carl was asleep on the couch with a night-light on. I crossed the room, unlocked the front door, and was knocked back when the door was shoved open.
Josh and Devereaux rushed into the room. Devereaux held me at gunpoint while Josh went to the kitchen and returned with the coin, the map, and the paper Diesel had copied the letters onto.
“What the heck?” I said.
“One hundred and ninety million dollars be a lot of money,” Josh said, heading for the door with the map tucked under his arm.
It was so unexpected it took a beat for me to put it together. They were stealing everything and going after the treasure.
“Diesel!” I yelled. “DEEEEZELLL!”
I dropped my coffee, bagel, and tote bag and ran after Devereaux, grabbing him by the back of his jacket. He whirled around and caught me on the side of my head with the gun butt.