Page 92 of Cash

“You drive.”

I went for the driver’s door. On my second pull of the handle, it opened. I slid in, found the push button, and had the car in drive by the time Cash’s ass hit the passenger seat.

“End of alley hook a right.”

“Cara?” I asked as I fought against testing the zero-to-sixty capability of the car.

“Uninjured.”

I glanced over and gritted my teeth. She might’ve been uninjured but there was no way she wasn’t scarred.

Rage boiled in me.

“Lolo?”

No, wrath.

“Right here, Care Bear.”

“I’m scared.”

She didn’t sound scared; she sounded petrified out of her perfect little head.

“I know, but you’re safe now.”

I prayed I wasn’t lying as I slowed to check for traffic before I turned right.

“At the light make a left. Watch your speed.”

I refrained from telling him I wasn’t an idiot but only because he was speaking again, and this time it wasn’t to me, but to someone on his phone.

“Yeah, I know. I got three dead mother…” He paused, exhaled, and began again. “I’d say to send someone to do a sweep, but we’re out of time.”

And we were. Four cop cars, lights and sirens wailing, were speeding down the road. I pulled to the shoulder to let them pass, checked my mirror, then merged back into traffic.

“On ramp to 50 West, will be on your left,” Cash told me then went back to his conversation. “We’re headed to the safehouse.” Pause. “Yeah. I know.”

He tossed his phone into the cup holder.

I drove.

Cara whimpered.

“Cara, baby, you can open your eyes now.”

With my eyes on the road, I couldn’t see what was happening but obviously she hadn’t responded.

“Open your eyes and look at me, warrior princess.”

Now was not the time for my heart to melt. I needed to stay mission focused. I couldn’t let myself slip out of character and fall apart. Not now. Not ever.

“That’s it,” he cooed.

Yes, badass Cash Phillips cooed.

“Cashy.”

“Hey,” he whispered. “We’re safe now.”