AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was really thinking about asking Rush.” I rolled my eyes. “Of course you are.”
“Okay, good. So, you’re going to need a dress, shoes, the works. I’ve never been to Vegas. They should have shops all over that place. Do you think they’re open this late—early? We still have to fly there, but it won’t take long. Will you do it right away or will you wait until after you’ve slept, because girl, I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty damn sleepy.”
My yawn was automatic despite the combination of fear, apprehension, and excitement.
“I think sleep would be a good idea.”
“Agreed.”
Grabbing Tiffany’s hand, I watched as the mask she’d worn all day dropped completely. She let go, throwing her arms around my neck as she pulled me in.
“The last few months have been overwhelming as hell. You’ve been through so much. We’ve all had to change our lives around. Between almost losing you twice, and watching Jase almost lose you for good, I don’t think…” she got quiet, pulling back to look at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone shut down as much as he did when he thought he lost you to that poison. I saw that same haunted look back in his eyes after I walked out of the gun room. He loves you, Kody. He genuinely, whole-heartedly, is madly head over heels for you.”
“I feel the same about him.”
Tiffany gestured to the luggage in the back of the SUV.
“But were you the one who had the idea to elope?” She shook her head. “Something tells me your boy’s been thinking about this for a lot longer than tonight, and he was just waiting to ask you. Seems fate stepped in and provided him with the perfect opportunity.”
Chapter 43
Jase
The moment Kody disappeared around the corner of the garage, I glanced to Rush, taking in his confidence. Eagerness collided with uneasiness as I checked out the number again. Like before, it was cloned, feeding my hope that he wasn’t at home where he could make the number even more secure.
I hit the button, putting it on speaker. Music and the hum of cars sounded in the distance. He had my fingers gripping tighter to the wheel.
“Hello.”
“It’s not every day you hear a corpse that can talk.”
“Ah, Vitor, how can I help you tonight?” I glanced at Rush. “Did you call to give your sympathies for my friend? Perhaps you wanted to offer to fix the damages to my penthouse. No, wait, I know. You need more advice on websites and hosting. Don’t tell me you’re having issues again.”
He got quiet, clearing his throat.
“You lucked out with the girls, but your friend’s unfortunate accident by those band of thugs was not my doing. Not according to the law. There’s no connection. That warehouse doesn’t even belong to me. It’s in foreclosure from a fishing company last I heard. And let’s say one of those men who were in the process of trying to cut out one of your friend’s ribs did mistakenly slip my name to authorities, it’s their word against mine. Do you think I got where I am because I make mistakes?”
Rush’s fist flexed in front of his mouth as he stayed quiet.
“No. I think you got where you are because you’ve had anyone who speaks out against you killed. What I think is your god complex has given you a sense of being indestructible. In reality you’re not. You’re going to fall, Vitor. You’re going to lose everything. The fact that you don’t take care of your problems yourself is going to prove me right.”
“Are you calling me a coward?”
“Words are just words. They’re meaningless unless you believe them. Do you feel like a coward?”
The music got louder as he seemed to gravitate towards another direction. He was outside, and he was either walking or pacing. If he wasn’t in the car yet coming after me, I was going to have to go after him which I preferred.
I put the SUV in drive, going around the turn to exit the garage. Enough time had passed that surely the FBI or anyone who might have been watching followed security out. With three SUVs on the move, that had to have gained enough attention to spark curiosity enough to trail behind.
Rush spun the laptop, bringing it close. The address had me nodding and turning right as I left the garage. The area Vitor was registering at was close to downtown. It wasn’t a good neighborhood. That could also be a benefit. I just hoped he stayed long enough for us to make it there.
“You’re awfully quiet. Are you not sure?”
“I am far from a coward. You’ll find out soon enough.”
The line went dead, and I hung up, dropping the phone into the cup holder. The weight of weapons strapped to me was a soulful serenade to my darker side. Lust-stained vengeance whispered invitations meant to tempt me. I’d been made for this moment.
“Great job, Rush. Any movement?”
