Page 98 of Wild Escape

We pulled ourselves together, then headed across the island to campus. College students scurried about as we hustled to Abernathy Hall. We strolled the majestic hallways, then hovered outside the door to Lauren’s class.

Daphne’s burner phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. I handed the device to her. “Answer it.”

She swiped the screen and said in a tentative voice, “Hello?”

“Your picture is all over the news,” Dane said.

Daphne put it on speaker. “What can I say? I’m Internet famous now.”

“Where are you?”

“None of your business.”

“What’s this about a split?”

“I just want to be square with everyone and not have to look over my shoulder.”

“You’re a fugitive on the run. You will always look over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”

“No thanks to you. Dick! I can’t believe you did that to me.”

“What do you want me to say? Sorry? Okay, I’m sorry.”

“You’re a sociopathic loser.”

I glared at Daphne to tone it down. We didn’t want to run him off.

“I appreciate the compliment,” Dane said. “Now, how do I get my money?”

“I’ve already sold the merchandise. I’m willing to give you and Brock your share. Then we walk away even. You can go about your life, and I’ll go about mine.”

“That’s mighty generous of you. I still don’t see why you’d do something like that, considering the way you feel about me.”

“Like I said, I don’t want a beef with anybody. I plan on enjoying the rest of my life without a care in the world in a country without an extradition treaty. Now, I’m happy to take all of it, if that’s what you prefer.”

“We want our share.”

“I’ll text you with a location and a time.”

“Bullshit. I pick the time and the place.”

“You don’t pick anything. I could hop on a plane right now and be gone. This is only happening because of my generosity.”

Dane scoffed. “You’re not gonna text me at this number ‘cause I’m dumping this phone after we end the call. I’m not fucking stupid.”

“That’s debatable.”

“You need to shut your dumb fucking mouth.”

“You know what. I changed my mind. Fuck you.” She hung up the phone. A slight smirk tugged her plump lips.

“You know we’re trying to get them to show up, right?”

“Trust me. I know what I’m doing. If it’s too easy, he’ll get suspicious.”

There was no doubt in my mind that Daphne knew how to manipulate Dane.

He called back a few seconds later.