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It’s been over two weeks since we went and saw Omar, and still nothing has come of it other than Hugo trying to break into the warehouse. Teddy sent him on his way with more broken bones than he had before, and a few less fingers, hoping it would get a rise out of the cartel, but it didn’t—not yet at least.
“I need you to do the bank run alone, Monkshood.”
I roll and look to the bathroom doorway. Teddy is sliding his belt through their loops, while his naked chest glistens with sweat. It’s hard to look away, but all we’ve done is lie in bed and fuck for weeks, it seems.
I roll my eyes. “Fine. I’ll take Luke and you can have Jules.”
He nods, slipping his arms into a crisp black button-up. “Everything is already in the car.”
“What are you doing that you can’t come with me?” I feel like a broken record at this point because that’s the same question I’ve asked a million times. Either I’ve been sent to do small errands alone or sat inside while Teddy disappears with some bullshit explanation. I feel he’s hiding something from me, but I don’t want to keep scratching until he explodes. I know shit is tense right now.
Teddy’s face morphs into stone, and I know he’s about to feed me another lie. “We are trying to keep the supply moving so no one has a chance to take it. Ever since Hugo, I don’t want to take any chances. That was too close.”
“Bring it all here, then. Why waste so much time moving it around when it can come here and always be watched? Someone is always here.”
He tips his head to the side like he’s thinking about it for a second. “I never do that kind of business in my home.”
“Well—” I raise from the bed and slip on yesterday’s dress and heels. “—maybe it’s time to break some of your own rules.” I walk to the dresser and snatch his keys, then leave the room without another word.
Walking into the hallway, I yell for Lucas. “Come on, Luke!”
Lucas steps out of his door and comes to my side. “What’s up?”
“We have to do a bank run. You’re with me today.”
He nods and steps in front of me, making his way to the front of the house. I follow behind him, stepping out the door as he opens it. He looks around, then back to me. “Where’s Carl?”
I flash him a smile before tossing him the keys to Teddy’s Challenger. “You’re driving today. Just don’t kill me.”
After getting into the car, I notice the same black duffle bag that always sits in the passenger seat. As Lucas starts down the driveway, I open it and look through the contents. Stacks of cash, which is normal, stare back at me, but the corner of a white envelope peeking from under them catches my attention.
I pull it out and hold it up to the sun. “What is this?”
Lucas bounces his eyes from the road to me. “Just a normal expense report for Eden. She handles all of our taxes so everything stays legit, or at least looks that way.”
Not on one of the many bank runs I’ve done has there ever been anything but cash and the occasional disassembled rifle, but I don’t question any further. I know something is up, and I tend to get to the bottom of it alone since everyone is clearly pushing me out of the loop.
We ride the rest of the way in silence, never breathing another word. When we pull up to the bank, I grab the bag and open the door, not waiting for Lucas to follow.
As soon as I push through the big glass doors, Eden is by my side. “Hello, Mrs. Hale. Another drop?”
Before I can answer her, I see a man walking out of the door tucked into the corner where the safety deposit boxes hide. Something about the way he moves puts me on high alert. His dark hair stands slightly spiked on top of his head, while his arms stay locked to his sides with balled fists. He walks with the grace of a snake getting ready to attack its next meal. As he glides over the shiny floor, another man exits the door and my jaw drops.
Cameron sprints to catch up to the man, then leans in close, whispering in his ear. I turn to leave the same way I came in, but I’m met with a hard chest. I drop the duffle bag, letting it send out a thud into the lobby. Trying to steady myself, I grab the person in front of me and look up.
Lucas stares down on me with question in his eyes. “What are you doing?”
I turn quickly and pick up the bag. “We can’t be here. Do you see who that is?” As I point to where the man and Cameron were standing, I lock eyes with him.
He tilts his head and looks at me with big eyes like he’s surprised to see me. I know Sloan has been working with the Hales, but Cameron hasn’t. If word gets out I’m with them and making moves, everything I’ve worked so hard to figure out up until this point, even if it’s not a lot, may be for nothing.
Cameron is, and always will be, one of the nosiest people in Northridge Heights. I know it comes with his job, but he’s always taken shit to another level. If he figures out what I’m doing, I fear he will stomp over all the leads before I can even get them. One thing about this town is most people don’t want to associate with cops or their families, but if you have something to offer them, they’ll speak. I have nothing to offer, while Cameron has a lot. He has a pull no one else does. He has the law enforcement behind him one hundred percent. Threats to be locked up always get people talking.
I break my eyes from him and scream in my head. It’s too late. He saw me, and he saw me with Lucas. There is no denying I’m running around with the Hales.
I plaster on the fake smile I’m so used to using with him and hike the bag’s strap back over my shoulder as he approaches.
“Charlie.” He grins and leans in, pecking my cheek.
