It was pure happenstance that they’d discovered their connection. Del had lingered late one night at a truck stop to shop the wares. He’d picked out a sweet little honey who’d looked strung out and willing to chance a ride with any stranger. Yet once he’d gotten her in the car, Golly had come out of nowhere and joined them.
The plan, he knew, had been to kill him, then rob him.
Instead, Del had done some fast talking, explaining that he didn’t give a shit what happened with the chick. He had run his own business once, so he got it.
One thing had led to another, they’d ended up sharing a meal while bragging on their ruthlessness... At the time, Golly had managed to act sane enough. A dupe, for sure.
Now here he was, becoming more embroiled by the day with a certifiable maniac. There was no guarantee that Jodi would meet up with Kennedy tonight, but so far, following her was their only chance.
Kennedy, the conniving bitch, had all but disappeared off the face of the earth. Once her apartment had burned to the ground: poof. No more Kennedy.
“Why do you want Jodi so bad?” Del asked, watching the man through a veil of smoke while he sucked on his cigarette. “She ain’t much to look at. You could grab another broad easy enough.”
He rocked faster. “She took from me. Stole things she can never give back. For that, she’ll pay.”
Shit. He was back to sounding off the rails. Del moved away to look out the window, hoping that tonight would be the night.
“I’m going to make her pay,” Golly promised from behind him. The rocking chair began to squeak. He was so agitated, he even laughed. “She’ll pay, and pay, and pay until I’m satisfied she’s paid enough. It’s as easy as that.”
Misgivings growing, Del asked, “What the hell did she take that was so important?”
And once Golly explained, yeah, he understood.
Now he almost felt sorry for the scrawny girl—but he still felt sorrier for himself. Del needed away from Golly and soon, before he too became a target.
* * *
KENNEDY SAT STIFFLY beside Reyes as he pulled into the remote area at eight o’clock. The rough ground was bumpy and his truck headlights sent deep shadows stretching from tall fir trees and pinyon junipers.
It felt eerie and dangerous. And, damn it, Reyes was too silent.
She wasn’t ready.
From the moment he’d started making his plans, everything had moved at lightning speed.
He’d talked a bit with Crosby, enough to get his measure, or so Reyes had said. Madison and Cade had taken part.
Never in her life had she felt more like an outsider. It was obvious that the siblings worked as a team, that they had an uncommon knowledge of things that went beyond even what Crosby had learned as a detective.
She’d tried to ask Reyes about it, but he’d gotten all hush-hush, doling out only a select few details that didn’t really answer any of her questions.
Now here she was, ready to meet with Jodi if her friend showed.
Like Kennedy, Jodi had been uncertain of the whole thing.
With Reyes listening in, she’d called Jodi. Twice. No answer either time. It wasn’t until the middle of last night that Jodi had finally called back, waking her from a sound sleep.
She’d been groggy and confused, but not Reyes. He’d pressed her away from his body, where she’d been snugly held, and quickly prepped her on what to say and not say.
He’d stayed silent beside her while she answered the call, but having him there had made it easier.
She’d told Jodi that she had to see her, and to her surprise, Jodi hadn’t argued.
Instead, as if she’d been expecting the request, Jodi had arranged for the meeting at this remote location in the mountains. At one time it had been camping grounds, but the owner hadn’t maintained the property, so other than a rut-filled road leading to what had once been a clearing, there was nothing around.
And the sun had set some time ago.
“Take a breath, babe. Everything is fine. Cade came in on foot and he’s the best backup around. We have eyes on the truck so Madison can not only track us, she can see anyone else who might get near us. Remember, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
See, all that? Who the hell talked about eyes on a truck, meaning some high-tech surveillance stuff, and solid backup, meaning his brother was armed and ready to shoot if necessary?
Clenching her hands together, Kennedy asked, “Who are you people?”
“Shh. I’m gonna kill the lights now, okay? Then we’ll go the rest of the way on foot.”
And when they got near to the center of the clearing, Reyes would hang back.
She’d be alone, exposed.
No. He said he’d protect her and she believed him. God, she wished she was stronger, as clever as Madison or as fearless as Sterling. But she wasn’t. She was just Kennedy Brooks, traumatized girl unable to move out of the past, trying to be a confident woman and failing far too often.
Reyes stopped the truck in a copse of tall trees. Everything went dark.
“Hey.” He pried one of her hands loose, carrying it over to his mouth, where he pressed a warm kiss to her knuckles. “You’ve got this, babe. And I’ve got you. I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nodded, knew he couldn’t see her in the dark, and whispered, “I know. I’m just...” So cold and empty. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, you are. Extra fine.” This time, he leaned in and his mouth brushed over her cheek, her jaw, down to the corner of her lips.
Holy smokes. That chased away the ice in her veins. “What are you doing?”
“Warming you up. Did it work?”
“Actually...yes.” She exhaled a long breath. Funny, she did feel steadier. Who knew a kiss could accomplish that much? “Thank you.”
“You and your gratitude.” He flashed her a grin that did more to reassure her than all the words in the world. “Stay put until I come around. You have your flashlight?”
“Yes.” She lifted the heavy utility light off the floor of the truck.
“Warm enough?”
No, but that had more to do with her nerves than the October temperatures in the mountains. She’d dressed appropriately, even had a stocking hat for her ears. “I’m—” She started to say fine again, but after his silly flattery with the word, she adjusted to, “Ready.”
Without another word, Reyes got out and somehow, without making a single sound, came to her side of the truck and opened the door.