to the police?”
“They can’t protect me, Devon. Not from these men.”
“I’ll miss you, Ashlynn.”
A tear slides down my face. “I’ll miss you, too, Devon. More than you know.”
“I’ll pass the word. Anyone sees them, we’ll hold ‘em up, cut their tires if we have to.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice cracking.
We pull up at the hotel, and I jump out, disappearing through the crowd that even at this hour is still out.
I dash into the casino and go straight to the cashier. I flash my casino identification and pass over my chip. The woman’s eyes flash briefly, but she takes my identification and completes the transaction, asking how I’d like my winnings. I say cash, and she doesn’t even blink. She stacks up ten stacks of hundred dollar bills, each containing ten thousand dollars, counting it out as I tap my foot. I sign for it and put it in my bag.
“Miss Fox, would you like security to walk you out?”
“Yes, please.”
A moment later, two security guards appear. I know one of them.
“Miss Fox, it’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Tony. Could you… um, escort me to the loading docks? My car is there.”
He nods, not batting an eye at the request. “Of course, ma’am.”
Five minutes later we’re through the huge building and at the loading dock. Devon stands next to my yellow Porsche 918 Cayman Gt4, my baby.
I run to him and hug him. “Thank you, Devon.”
He squeezes me back. He and I have spent a lot of time together driving to the airport to meet private jets. He feels as close to family as I have in this town, and I know that sounds odd, but it’s an odd town.
“Your bag’s in the trunk.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“You got my number. Call me if you get into trouble.”
I nod, knowing I’ll never call him.
He reads me like a book and tilts his head. “Honey, at least text me you’re okay when you land someplace tonight.”
That I can do. “Okay. I promise.”
I slip in the leather seat and buckle my seatbelt. I tear off out the back of the hotel, disappearing down back streets through town, heading toward the interstate. I veer up the on ramp and settle into a comfortable speed in the eastbound center lane. I’m ten miles out into the desert before I can finally breathe easy, my tense muscles relaxing.
Only then do I glance over at the leather shoulder tote on the passenger seat, ten stacks of bills weighing it down.
How did my life get so crazy?
CHAPTER THREE
Ashlynn—
Bang.
I jump in my seat, my tattered nerves on edge. What the hell was that? It sounded like something hit my car. I tighten my grip on the steering wheel and look in my rearview mirror. I don’t see anything in the road. It’s getting late in the evening, and the light is starting to fade. Soon it will be completely dark. I’m on I-20 just past Atlanta. I glance down at my dashboard to my tire monitoring system. It shows the pressure on the left rear tire is dropping.
Damn it. I must have hit a nail or something. Luckily it wasn’t a front tire or I’d have a hell of a time steering. There’s a sign for an exit coming up. If I can make it there, maybe I can get to a gas station.
I watch the tire pressure rapidly drop until it goes to one pound of pressure.
I limp to the side of the long off ramp and stop. It’s not worth damaging the rim, not on a car like this.
The surrounding area is wooded, and the ramp is so long and curved I can’t see what’s at the end.
I’d hoped to get a little farther before stopping again for another night. I’d driven past a bunch of hotels. Damn it, I should have stopped.
I bang my hand on the steering wheel.
I’ve been on the road for days now, and no matter how fabulous this car is I’m tired of being in it.
It’s been a long journey. I only made it as far as Winslow, Arizona the first day before I was too tired to go any farther. I got an out of the way motel and paid cash. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I’m afraid they’ll track my credit cards.
I texted Devon that first night and told him I was safe. He called me back and told me that indeed the two Rialto brothers had been nosing around the casino. He told them I’d taken a client on