Her muffled voice went over the line.
A dark chuckle left him. “I’m sorry about drugging your dog and taking Phoenix, but if you bring harm to my siblings, you’ll find your days bloodied, terrified, and numbered. So, let’s shift your threats back to only me.”
My heart boomed in my ears.
Cain continued, “Fine, but can we agree to killing each other later?”
I waved my hand. “No one hurts anyone.”
“Good, Quin. Then, deal.” Cain shrugged. “Any other issues?”
I dug my nails into my palms.
“It could be Stockholm Syndrome, but I’m not letting Phoenix go, so it’s a moot point.” Cain stood and headed over to the entrance. “Where are we? We’re in a cave, waiting for cops to leave. They probably took my truck and confiscated the rest of our stuff.”
I got up and followed him, trying to make out her words on the other end of the line.
“Yeah.” Cain nodded. “I hate cops and zombies too, but we don’t need you to handle the police or come to Paradise. We need eyes on storage units in Glory. We’re looking for a Hispanic woman to appear and try to break into one. Can you have people watching each location and at all angles?”
I hugged myself and paced near him.
“Yeah.” Cain nodded. “The storage is full of money and jewelry, but we don’t know what unit and we have no idea how much.”
I went over to Griff and peeked out of the entrance. Darkness covered the property. The police must’ve left, but I wasn’t sure.
“Yes. Phoenix told me you’re not cheap, but 50% is out of the question. How about we see what’s in the storage area first?”
Cain grew quiet.
Quin’s voice sounded mumbled and incomprehensible from where I was.
I glanced over my shoulder.
“Deal. I’ve got it” Cain walked over and handed me the phone.
I put it against my ear. “Hello?”
“Nix, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am.”
“Do you know what’s in the storage?”
“No, but I think it’s definitely over a million.”
“A million can’t replace you, Nix. Are you sure he’s not doing some fucked up shit to your head—?”
“Nothing that I. . .don’t want.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s a long story, but basically. . .I’m fucked up.”
“You’re not.” Quin’s voice softened. “It’s just your heart is too fucking big for your own good.”
“I don’t want you shooting him, and he will not be coming for you.”
“Hit me with that text, Nix.”
“You don’t need to come.”
“You know I hate asking twice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you going to be chill when you come?”
“If Mr. Dog-Drugging-Kidnapper is cool then, I’ll be as sweet as a daisy.”
“O-kay.” I swallowed. “I’ll have him text it.”
“See you soon. I’ll text this number when I’m close”
My heart warmed. “Watch out for the cops and be safe.”
“You be safe too.” She hung up.
Griff looked up. “Did she say what the apple pie tasted like? I love Erin’s pie.”
“She didn’t say, but she thought your sister was a great cook.” I handed the phone to Cain. “Text the address, please.”
His frown deepened. “Do we need to add another obstacle to this already tight situation?”
“She’ll want to see that I’m fine. It’s always better to work with Quin, instead of against her. Trust me.”
Cain looked down at the phone and typed in the address.
Griff chuckled.
Cain pressed send and then put the phone up. “What’s so funny?”
Griff pointed at him. “You’re so pussy whipped.”
West laughed. “Really, Griff? You just got that Cain was pussy whipped now? The part of him sitting in Victory Park for days didn’t convince you of that?”
“Shut up.” Cain returned to looking out the entrance.
Epilogue
An Unlikely Team
CAIN
T
wo hours later, we were out of the cold, dark cave.
The storm had shifted to a light pitter patter of rain. Moonlight led us back through the mud-soaked trail. The cool wind carried the scents of damp earth and pine.
We must’ve sat outside of the gate, peering over it and trying to see if the cops were anywhere around. There seemed to be no sight of them.
We were back in the house in no time.
The lights were on and the back door had been wide open. That didn’t seem like the proper procedure of the police. One would have thought that they would have secured the property, before leaving.
Did the cops intentionally leave the door open? Is this a trap?
I wondered if everyone else was thinking the same things I was. I checked them.
Silent, Phoenix crept through the living room and kept frantically scanning the space.
West hurried to the front and looked out the window. “No one is outside. The front gate is closed, but there could be people outside.”
“Don’t touch the lights or anything else, just in case they’re watching.”
Phoenix stopped in the center of the living room. “Uh. . .Cain.”
I looked back. “Yeah?”
She pointed to the empty wall. “Wasn’t that picture of the chick on the seashell there?”