Club Princess - Nicole James Page 0,51
need to be very careful where you go. In fact it’d be better off if you start bunking at the clubhouse and don’t leave it for a while.”
“Bunk at the clubhouse? Why?”
“Lockwood.”
“But I thought you paid him back the money.”
“I did, but he wants more.
“More?”
“Interest, he said, for the trouble.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope, ten grand worth, and I don’t have it.”
“Ten grand? Oh, my God, Trez.”
“He and his goons tracked me to Biloxi a couple days ago. The deadline he gave me is approaching, and if I don’t have the money by tonight…”
He trails off and my hand tightens on my phone. “If you don’t have the money by tonight what happens, Trez?”
“He threatened you, Lola. Said he knows where you live. You need to lay low. Just in case what I have planned doesn’t work.”
“What do you have planned? Dear God, not another bank robbery, I hope.”
“It’ll work. I found a small-town branch. I cased the place yesterday. I’ll hit it at this afternoon just before they close. That’s when the local police do their shift change. It should be easy.”
“Trez, are you still in Biloxi?”
“Hell, no. I’ve been driving home. I made it as far as Albuquerque, but they tracked me. I think they put some kind of device on my truck. They caught up with me last night. Said I had twenty-four hours to get the money, so I found this bank.”
“Trez, listen to me. Don’t do it. Let me come get you. The club will figure this all out. I can tell Dad—”
“No. You can’t tell the club. This is my problem. I’ll figure it out.”
“But now it’s my problem, too, isn’t it?”
“I’m so sorry, Lola. I never meant for you to get involved. I never meant for any of this to lead back to you.”
“Trez, tell me where you are.”
“It’ll all work out.”
“What’s the name of the bank?”
“Just a place in a little town called Cedar Crest.”
“Where’s that?”
“East of Albuquerque.”
That means he isn’t too far. I can make that drive in three or four hours. “Where are you staying?”
“The Starlight Inn. Just another dump, but they take cash.”
“What room?”
“One-seventeen. Why?”
“Please don’t do anything until I get there.”
“Lockwood’s a bad dude and now he knows about you. I’ve got to do this, don’t you see. He wants his money by 5pm.”
“Please, Trez.”
“Just stay at the clubhouse, Lola. Promise me. Everything will be fine. I just have to get him the ten grand. I’ll call you later.”
Before I can respond, he hangs up.
I stare at the bedspread and bite my lip, thinking. I can’t let Trez do what he’s got planned. I’ve got the money he gave me back. I can give it to him to give to Lockwood. It’s a lot of money to lose, but I don’t want my brother to end up shot by the police in a bungled robbery or doing years in prison. He got away with the first one, but twice? My brother’s luck isn’t that good.
I glance at the time on my phone. It’s 10am. I’ve got just enough time to get to the bank, and withdraw the money, then drive to Cedar Creek. I pull it up on my map app. Three hours and forty-three minutes away.
I scramble off the bed, grab my purse and keys, and dash through the house.
***
Four hours later, I pull up at the Starlight Inn, and shift my beater car into park next to Trez’s pickup. I climb out, hitching my purse on my shoulder. It’s heavy with all the money inside. I had to jump through hoops to get that much cash at the bank. They looked at me like I was about to make a drug deal or something.
I glance around, looking for any sign of Lockwood or his goons, but don’t see anything suspicious. I stare up at the two-story motel. Room 117 is on the far end, near a breezeway containing an old ice machine.
I glance around again, panicked that someone may snatch my purse, and all the money.
To play it safe, I pop the trunk, and toss my bag inside, keeping only my phone and keys. I just want to make sure I find Trez before I walk around with that much cash. It’s everything I have.
I tap on the door, and lean closer to hiss, “Trez, it’s me.”
The door opens, and before I know what’s happening, I’m grabbed and hauled inside by one of the big goons, his hand clamps over my mouth.
Trez is tied to a chair.
In