But Tucker’s grip is surprisingly strong. Everything wobbles a little, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut.
Tucker’s coming closer. Too close. His arms wrap around me, and that fucking cologne makes me gag. “Rowan?”
Everything goes dark.
18
Notes:
Sorry this chapter was late. I plotted revenge against everyone who ever wronged me, but I ran out of glitter and silly string. What? How doyoudo revenge?
Milo
I’m fucking stalling. I don’t even know why.
Fine, I do.
It’s pathetic. I stopped to pick up road snacks and filled up the car with gas. The stolen car I’m probably going to abandon in the airport’s long-term parking in a few hours.
When my phone rings, I’m feeling extra salty. Especially when I see the caller is Ray. Heading to another job is what I planned to do, but I’m not feeling it at all.
“What the fuck do you want, Ray?”
“Jesus. Who pissed on your morning sunshine?”
I did. “Just got done dicking around in a beach town and taking care of a guy for free because you took on a job we shouldn’t have taken.” And I left the mark I was getting too attached to at his apartment, which is making me want to flip a U-turn so badly I’m questioning my sanity.
“You’re right. The fuckup was mine. I’ll vet things more carefully in the future.”
“Please do.”
“You sure you’re solid, though? You’re not usually this pissy.”
“You rarely give me a reason to be.”
“I’m seeing what Andrew meant when he said you were mercurial.”
“Ray, I don’t give two shits what our mutual cheating ex thought of my moods. He’s lucky I let him live after I caught him ass-up with that bartender. Where am I headed next?”
“I’ve got one I think you’ll like. Just came in. Joel Freeberg. Killed his ex-girlfriend. She had a restraining order. Police were called several times because he was harassing her but said they couldn’t do anything. Shot her on her front porch a few days ago, and he’s already out on bail awaiting trial. Her family would like to make sure he gets a fair sentence, if you know what I mean. Best part—it’s in Florida, a few hours south of where you are now.”
“Okay. Good.” This is the sort of case I like. The sort that got me started in this business. They don’t pay as well as offing a corrupt CEO or Wall Street executive, but they’re satisfying. “Uh, I just have a few loose ends to tie up first. Send me the information if you want, and I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. Might be tomorrow.”
“Thought you said you had everything there wrapped up.”
“Thought I did, but there’s one last thing I need to take care of.” Two things, along with dropping off Brennan’s key. Rowan and I never exchanged numbers. We didn’t need to when we were together all the time. And frankly, I convinced myself it was a bad idea.
A guy who got seduced by a much older man before he was legal and who stayed with that man for four years doesn’t need a contract killer asking him to consider—what? Dating? Going out for a movie sometime?
If I asked Jalen to pass on a message though, then the ball would be in Rowan’s court. If he wants to see each other again, it’s up to him. Maybe he’d want to see me tonight before I have to leave town.
It’s worth a shot.
As I’m pulling into the parking lot of a local laundromat, I sign off the call with Ray. The stores here are all pretty basic. It’s obviously a less affluent neighborhood, which makes it an interesting choice for a crime boss to set up shop. Or maybe it doesn’t. People in this area probably mind their own business.
The operators maintain the strip mall well, even if it looks a little old. There’s a coffee shop, a pool supply store, a tattoo parlor, and, of course, the laundromat, which is where I’m told Brennan has his main office.
The place is clean and well lit. A little bell jingles when I walk in, though I don’t know why since not a single person looks up when I enter. It’s midafternoon, and there are a couple of college students pushing each other around in a laundry cart and a tired-looking mom trying to fold laundry while keeping half an eye on two toddlers who are overly interested in the machine that dispenses detergent.
