Crash glanced up at the skylights. He could see the moon. The rain had stopped hours ago. Well, at least that was something. He pulled his clothes on and moved to the bed in the darkened loft and leaned down over Shannon, his palms coming to rest on either side of her. “Princess, wake up.”
She moaned and rolled to her back. Blinking up at him, she whispered, “Hey.”
“Hey,” he murmured back with a grin. “I’ve got to go out for a few hours.”
She blinked and rubbed her face. “What time is it?”
He glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. “A little after two.”
“You have to go out now?”
“Ain’t no rest for the wicked,” he teased.
“Am I going with you?”
“No, babe. You’re staying here.”
“All alone?”
“I’ll set the alarm. There’s a gun in the drawer of the nightstand. It’s loaded. You just point and shoot, and don’t stop till the clip is empty or they’re on the ground.”
Her eyes got big. “I…I don’t think I can do that.”
He put one hand to her cheek, his thumb stroking softly. “You won’t have to, sweetheart. Nobody’s getting in here. Just don’t make the mistake of shooting me when I come home.” He studied her. His humor didn’t seem to lighten her mood. “You gonna be all right?”
She nodded. “I guess.”
She didn’t sound too convincing. “You’ll be safe here, sweetheart. I promise. Your ex doesn’t know how to find the Batcave.” He grinned, his teeth flashing in the moonlight. He dropped his head, and his mouth found hers for a brief kiss. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back before you wake up. I promise.” And then he left.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Crash crawled on his belly and slid up next to Wolf. The guys were in the wooded lot behind the rear parking lot of Queen of Hearts strip club. “Where we at with this?”
Wolf turned to him with a grin. “Green got elected to go in.”
Red Dog grinned, “Yeah, I flipped a coin until he won.”
“Shit.”
“What? You got a problem with that?”
“Yeah. I don’t trust him.” Crash glared over at Green
“I got this, Crash. Why don’t you trust me?” Green asked.
“Because I’ve seen your work.”
Green made a mocking laugh. “Ha, ha, ha. You’re a laugh a minute. What are you sweatin’ for, brother? I’ve handled C-4 before.”
“I know, Green, but there’s always a last time.”
“It’s C-4, Crash. It’s not like I’m handling nitrocloricine.”
“Nitro-what?”
“You know,” he snapped his fingers, turning to Wolf. “What’s the word here? Help me out?”
Wolf laughed and shook his head. “I’m not gonna help you. This is too funny.”