Shit, he needed to get his head on straight and stop thinking about a future with a woman so far out of his league. “Let’s go, they’re waiting on us,” he said, opening the driver’s door, knowing time wasn’t on their side. He fired off a quick text to his friend Cosmos who had the perfect place for him and Kailani to hide out.
“Shit, do I really gotta kill this pretty little thing?” Digger asked.
KAILANI GASPED. “WHAT, I thought you were the good guys?”
King tipped his head up toward the sky, then back toward the open passenger door. “He means your car. Digger has a thing for cars, which is why he drives a cage.”
Digger walked forward, his hand held out. “Don’t mind them, I’m Digger and surely, we can give this girl a pardon or something. I mean, what did she ever do to anyone?” Instead of taking Kailani’s hand, he went to the car, running his palm over the hood, murmuring softly to her. “It’s alright, girl, daddy’s here. I’ll see if I can’t save you. Seriously, I bet I can find the tracker and disable it if you give me like fifteen minutes, tops.” He pressed his hands to his chest in a mock prayer stance.
The other vehicle rolled up, tossing a slew of gravel in its wake. “No tail and I’m pretty sure the vehicle that’s still on its four wheels has a pissed off passenger.” A grin split his lips.
“What makes you say that?” Traeger asked, pulling Kailani with him toward the men.
The man shrugged. “When we circled back, he bashed the driver’s face against the steering wheel and could be heard cursing in another language, loudly. We drove away whistling Dixie like we didn’t have a care in the world. If they had a pickup coming it would take them a while to get through that fucknut of a highway mess. We kinda made sure there was a little more,” he paused, making air quotes before continuing, “accidents for them to have to navigate through. You’re welcome, ladies. Names Coal if you were wondering. Not you, ‘cause you look like jailbait, and I ain’t got time for that. Fuck,” he yelled, rubbing the back of his head after getting hit by King.
“Shut up before I hit you again,” King said.
Coal nodded. “This is me shutting up.” Coal made a zipping motion with his finger over his lips.
“How is he not dead yet?” Digger asked.
“He’s a master at computers. I guarantee he has something in there that can find the tracker on her car, so play nice.” King tipped his head toward the car.
Coal rubbed his hands together. “We get to keep the car if we find the tracker?”
Kailani raised her hand. “Excuse me, but has anyone forgotten that car belongs to me?”
The two men, who she realized were like two big goofs, looked at her with sheepish expressions. “Sorry,” they said in unison.
“If you can find the tracker, it’s all yours,” she said with a tight smile.
King whistled through two fingers. “Ten minutes and then we’re out of here. Kailani, where’s your other cage, car?” he asked, correcting himself.
She gave him the directions, realizing none of these men were used to taking no for an answer, yet none of them had used any force to demand she do as they said. If she were to walk away, she was sure they’d stop her, even subdue her, but they wouldn’t hurt her. God, she hoped she was right in her assessment of the men. Her creeper meter used to be excellent. Hello, look at her family, but damn if she wasn’t ready to jump on Trigger or Traeger and see if he could make her forget her past.
“Got ‘em,” Digger crowed, pulling her from her thoughts. “Less than four minutes. Who’s your daddy?” The big tattooed biker looking guy made a humping motion with her car fender, making her laugh.
“Ah, so she does laugh. If you want your car, I can make it happen,” Traeger said next to her, his warmth soothing her frayed nerves.
She looked at the expensive piece of metal she’d earned, shaking her head. “He can have it. Hey...um Mr. Digger, her name’s Suzy, but you can rename her. She can go from zero to sixty and isn’t temperamental in the least.” She knew they’d probably put her car through some chop shop, but the little car she’d bought with money she’d squirreled away was one she would treasure.
“She just called me Mr. I like this chick. Can we keep her?”
Traeger took a step toward Digger, but King stepped into his path. “Don’t kill him. We need him to drive one of these cages. Jones, get your ass out here and drive Suzy to Grills, don’t make any unnecessary stops and take Boggs with you. Let’s roll, I ain’t got all night to stand around like this is a circle jerk,” King muttered.
Why hearing them call her car by the nickname she gave it made her tear up, she had no clue but dammed if she didn’t feel her eyes watering. She blinked several times trying to stave off an impending breakdown. Once she got to a place where she could fall face first on the nearest bed, a place she felt comfortable letting herself go, she knew the waterworks would come. For the past five years, she’d had to be strong, had to take what they gave her without question, or else the consequences would be worse. Now, with freedom so close she could almost touch it, and here she was on the verge of losing it. “Keep it together,” she whispered to herself.
“You’re doing great. Like I said. I’ll keep you safe.” Traeger gripped her neck, giving her what she was sure he thought was a reassuring squeeze, and strangely enough, it did reassure her. His strong hands didn’t hurt her. No, they sent warmth and longing down her spine, settling into her stomach.
Kailani didn’t trust these feelings coursing through her. Since she’d turned eighteen, she’d become nothing but a pawn, something her brother and yes, even her father could use as leverage. A dress up doll that they would bring out to get what they wanted, depending on the situation. Her virginity was auctioned off like a prized bull. A shudder wracked her at the memory. Luckily for her, the man who’d bought her for that particular weekend hadn’t been cruel, nor too old, but he’d not been one she’d chosen to lose her virginity or at all. “We need to go,” she said, looking at the exit they’d come off of. The longer they stayed where they were, the more chances they had of her brother finding her.
“What’s got you spooked? Digger got the tracker off your car, and if I had to guess, he’s already sent a signal out leading them away from us.” He looked over to where the man in question was climbing into her car.
Digger gave a thumbs up. “See, relax, this isn’t our first rodeo,” Traeger reassured her.
Kailani wouldn’t tell them how her brother had backup plans or that he wouldn’t stop looking for her or his prize, which was Tiana. Rico was like a dog with a bone. The man didn’t like to lose his chew toys until he was thoroughly done with them, and even then, he would prefer to bury them before relinquishing what he considered his or give them away for a profit. Rico didn’t just give things away for free, he didn’t understand that people weren’t, or rather he didn’t consider an individual as free. They were a commodity to be sold or brokered, except for himself. They were only half siblings. She wasn’t sure what had happened to his mother, but she was glad they shared a tiny amount of blood, otherwise she knew he’d have taken what he wanted from her. She’d seen the heated looks he’d given her. Was sure he’d watched as some of the men had taken what they’d bought from him, her body. God, she hated her family.