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He slowed down. Turned right at the sign that said Clear Lake Road. Stopped. “We’ll wait here for our backup.”
She shifted to face him. “Gideon, thank you for not giving me a hard time about this.” She smiled. “Or more of a hard time. I know this is hard for you. But I think our plan will work.”
“I don’t care whether it’ll work or not. I don’t want you anywhere near those guys.”
“I get it,” she said. “And I’ll pay attention to what they’re doing. Watch them carefully. And I’ll stay behind the car door.” Her smile widened. “Except when I’m setting their money on fire.”
“You’re killing me, Alex.”
“You and Brynn and Nico and Spence will be backing me up. I know that. And knowing you, there’ll be someone close, guns trained on whichever Russian comes out.”
His jaw worked for a moment, then he gave one quick, curt nod. “You’re going to have to drive the last part. We’ll stop before the final turn in the road. I’ll get out. You’ll start driving. But you’ll wait until I’m out of sight. Okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve got it.”
She stared at the man beside her, who was letting her do what she needed to do in spite of his reservations. His fears. Because of his training as an FBI agent, Gideon was far better equipped to handle this situation. But he’d still agreed to let her try.
She leaned closer. Brushed her mouth over his cheek. “Gideon, thank you for going along with my plan.” She kissed him once, hard, then pulled away. “I love you, Gideon.”
He swiveled his head to stare at her. “Alex,” he said. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because you need to know I have a lot of motivation to survive. A very big reason to be careful and make it out alive. Okay?”
She pressed one last kiss to his mouth, then said, “I hear another car behind us. Must be the cavalry.”
Gideon watched as she climbed out of the car. She came around to the driver’s side and motioned him to open his door. As he swung out of the car, he grabbed the tote of money and set it on the passenger seat. “Be careful driving. You’ll be controlling the car with one hand. Go very slowly.”
“I will.” She kissed him one more time, then climbed into the driver’s seat. Closed the door quietly, so the sound wouldn’t carry to the cabin. “See you when this is over.”
Without looking back at Gideon, she eased the car into gear and gave it a little gas. The wheels bumped over the ruts in the road, jostling her injured arm in its sling. She ignored the pain, gripping the steering wheel tightly in her right hand. Focused only on the slushy, gravel-covered driveway.
The tracks curved right, and she followed the ruts. Rolled around the curve and came out about forty feet from a ramshackle, run-down cabin. The paint was faded and peeling, and the windows were crooked. Open curtains framed the windows, and she saw the flash of a face disappearing. They’d been watching for her. Timing her, no doubt.
She rolled to a stop and opened the door. Grabbed the tote bag in her right hand and set it on the ground. Then she slid off the seat and, keeping her head below the window, set the tote of money away from the door, where she knew the Russians could see it. Removed one brick of the fake money and set it in front of the tote. Retreated behind the door.
“I brought the money,” she shouted. “Send Jerry out. If he’s not out here in two minutes, I start burning it.”
