Hunt

West raised his eyebrows. “Who said that?”

“My people cost money.”

“Your people are who? That chick named Quin and a bunch of runaway teenagers—”

“And they all have a price. I’ll be giving them my part.”

Griff shrugged. “I don’t care about the split as long as Pandora doesn’t get it and the police don’t grab us.”

West twisted his mouth to the side. “We don’t actually know what unit it is.”

Phoenix turned to him. “Glory only has three of them. I could have people watching them.”

West looked at me. Phoenix and Griff turned their gazes my way.

My frown deepened. “We go to the storage to grab Pandora and deal with her. As far as the money—”

“Let’s split it three ways,” Griff offered. “You and Phoenix are a little couple now. You two can share—”

“That’s not fair, man.” West flicked ash onto the carpet. “Especially, if she is doing us a solid by having her friends help.”

Phoenix widened her eyes. “Thanks.”

West shrugged. “And I never thanked you for not calling the police and returning the money.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Guys.” I glared at them.

They returned their views to me.

I frowned. “We’re not taking the money.”

Confusion hit their faces.

“Johnny has a wife and kids.”

Griff frowned. “Pandora said that he had a big insurance policy—”

“And you believed her?” I scowled. “We deal with Pandora and not touch the money. It’s for his family.”

“And what about our family?” West asked. “We have bills too.”

I glared at him. “Just pack your shit and—”

Knock. Knock.

Everyone turned in the direction of the door.

Knock. Knock.

A man’s deep voice sounded on the other side. “Police! Open up!”

Damn it.

Knock. Knock.

“Fuck packing.” I turned back to them. “Run. There’s a hiking trail out the gate. I’ll show you.”

Knock. Knock.

West and Griff raced out.

The storm had strengthened. The sky had darkened to black. The only light came from the flashes of lighting.

I hurried passed the pool, rushing away. It was only when I made it to the gate that I realized Phoenix wasn’t by me.

What?

Fast, I stopped and turned around.

Phoenix stood ten feet away from me, holding my gun from the book bag. She’d paused, glanced back at the house, and then she turned my way.

No. No. Don’t. . .don’t leave. . .

My heart seized in my chest.

“Phoenix?” I reached my hand out, grasping for empty air. Drops hit my open palm. More rain fell around me. In that moment, I felt like I was right back on the snowy roof again, begging my father to not leave. “Phoenix.”

She trembled in the rain. “Cain. . .”

My voice cracked. “Yes.”

“It would be dumb for me not to escape right now.” Her expression grew sad. “It. . .makes sense. Right?”

My heart broke. Terror ripped through me.

My head fogged with the most fucked up possibilities. The only thing I could think of was this was her best chance to get away. Phoenix could run. She could scream for the police. She could fight and delay me. I wouldn’t be able to evade her and them. She just needed a few more minutes to get me caught.

My brothers had already gone away. They wouldn’t be able to help. Hours later, I would be behind jail bars.

The only option to save myself would be to run off, but I wouldn’t without her.

It would either be life with Phoenix or none at all. If anything, I would rather she shoot me in the chest, then leave me to the police.

Slowly, I raised my hands in surrender.

This was her moment. It was a clear opportunity. I could see it all over her face. My soul shattered into bits and pieces.

My eyes watered. I trembled within the storm. “Phoenix. . .please.”

She parted her lips. “You scare me.”

My bottom lip quivered. “I was working on that. I could be better. I could—”

“I liked today. . .and last night. . .”

“I’ll do more and more. I swear.” I was close to getting on my knees and begging her. “Whatever you want. Whatever you need.”

I glanced back at the house. From my view, the place still looked empty. Maybe, the police were still knocking. Perhaps, they were trying to bang the door down.

I turned back to Phoenix.

It looked like tears were streaming down her face, but it probably was the rain. I knew that tears had left my eyes. I knew that I was a horrible mess, a man crumbled down to nothing.

She trembled and raised the gun my way. “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”

Keeping my hands up, I closed my eyes and embraced defeat. “Go ahead, Phoenix. Put it right in my heart. I don’t want the cops to get me.”

Darkness served as my only view.

We could have been so beautiful.

Seconds of silence passed.

Then, I felt the cold metal of the gun in my hand.

What?

I opened my eyes.

Phoenix stood next to me. “Take it.”

My voice cracked. “What?”

“Come on!” And then she ran off through the gate.