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“I think her name was…Sandy?” He lifted an eyebrow, not trying too hard to remember.
I glanced at Logan, the shared look we all needed. Liam was still in his spiral about Laila. The anniversary was right around the corner, and the closer we got, the worse he got.
Liam popped some bread into the toaster and scrolled through his phone. “Where’s Carson?” he asked.
“Out, I think?” Logan said.
“We should get the rest of the plan in order. Our last payment…it’s soon.” He grabbed his toast from the toaster, taking a bite. Crumbs fell to the floor around him as he chewed.
“What else is there?” I asked.
“Planning flights,” Liam said, as if it was the most obvious thing ever. He grinned wide, a smile that was devoid of actual joy, and utilized more to support the fictitious ideal of happiness. Liam wasn’t happy, not since Laila. Although I couldn’t blame him with the shit that went down that night.
“How exactly do we plan a flight itinerary that outsmarts a crime organization?” Logan crossed his arms. He wasn’t sold on this idea, still. Since our last chat about it after the carjacking, I was certain nothing changed.
“We plan a series of flights, and I get off early.” Liam placed the last bite of the toast into his mouth. “Look, the anniversary of this whole shit-show is the day I leave. Y’all should be left untouched, at least until I get to where we’re setting up. Then, you follow—with the cash.”
“And if we aren’t ‘untouched?’” Logan asked.
I watched the two, at odds. I was in the middle again, watching the tennis match as they went back and forth.
“Samuel won’t want word of me leaving to get around,” Liam said, narrowing his stare. “He cares too much about his public reputation. So, he won’t say anything. If he doesn’t say anything, you are free and clear.”
“That puts a lot of faith on ‘ifs,’” Logan spat.
Liam looked at me. Normally, soothing Logan was an easy sport, but lately……some bug had crawled up his ass. Even I couldn’t battle it.
I debated for a moment, looking at both of my friends. Liam’s logic was sound, but there was no denying the truth Logan had.
“Samuel is habitual, but insane,” I said. I hopped off the counter and crossed my arms. “Insanity doesn’t know the bounds of ‘if.’”
The corners of Logan’s mouth curled into a smile. We were good. No apologies needed.
“What about Audry?” Logan asked, concerned and honest.
I furrowed my eyebrows at him, confused as to why he suddenly cared. I was convinced it was a ruse, but with his rounded shoulders and wide eyes, I couldn’t deny it.
Liam glanced at me before moving toward the window. “She stays at the hotel.”
“She won’t be able to stay there forever,” Logan complained before I could.
“Then, let’s hope she is good to go on the run with us.” Liam turned around, darkness in his eyes. “Cause if she isn’t, she is on her own.”
With that little bomb drop, he left the room. Logan and I stood there, our orders clearly given. Get prepped for the plan, and if it came down to it, Audry would be on her own.
Anxiety grew in my stomach, like an invasive parasite sucking out all the good, happy thoughts. In return, they gave me doom and gloom. I ran my hand through my hair, my heart racing. I handled being shot at, stabbed, chased down. Hell, I even handled the many nightmares of ways Samuel would torture me throughout my childhood.
I inhaled slowly, the exhale coming out shakily. “Why am I so torn up about this?” I muttered.
Logan slapped my shoulder. I had almost forgotten he was here. “Because you love her.” He sighed. “Love, it’s a ridiculous curse that even the worst of us have to struggle with.”
I glared his way. “I’m not in ‘love’ with her.”
He snorted, rolling his eyes. “Please! You are so in love, it’s nauseating.”
“I’m not,” I said, the anxiety falling away.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” He did a slight bow, quoting one of his books. He made me see the play version with him and Maddie. It was a good play, I’ll give it that, but some of it went right over my head. While he and Maddie wereglued to the stage, their eyes never glazed over. No wonder he got along with her so well. They were both nerds.
