Dirty Deals by Nicole James Page 0,55

squeezing. “It’s going to be all right.”

Vee looks back at us and chuckles. “Of course it is, we’re just going for a drive.”

“A drive? Where?” Kara asks, and I can feel her trembling.

Maybe Vee thinks I’ve got a big bank account, and she’s planning on making me go get her cash. If that’s all this is about, I’ll promise her all of it. “Vee, I’ve got money. Lots of it. Is that what you want?”

She stares at me, chewing on her lip as she thinks her way out of this plan of hers that’s obviously not working. Then she waves the gun back the way we came. “Move. We’re going to walk out the front doors, and you’re going to play it cool. You’re going to make every patch and prospect you see think we just need some air. Once we’re outside, we’re getting in my car and driving off the property. Anyone stops us at the gate, you’re gonna tell them we’re going to meet your guys.” She glares at Kara. “You tell them you don’t feel well, and Reno’s meeting you at the clinic.”

I have to give Vee credit; the girl can think on her feet.

Kara nods. “Okay. Whatever you say.”

Fifteen minutes later, we’re in Vee’s car. I’m driving, Kara’s in the passenger seat, and Vee’s in the back, her gun on us both. I bullshit our way past the prospect at the gate, and we’re soon headed down the road.

“Turn right here,” Vee orders.

I make the turn and see several banks in the distance. I also see a sign for the interstate up ahead. “Get in the left lane and take the eastbound entrance.” I do what she says, but this is completely dashing my ‘going to the bank’ theory. Now I’m not sure what Vee is really after. I glance over at Kara and meet her scared look. I smile, trying to reassure her.

“Where are we going?” I glance to the rearview, locking eyes with Vee.

“Just drive.”

I do what she says for ten tense miles before she spots an exit.

“Get off here.”

I swallow. This is my exit—the one that leads to the farmhouse I rented.

“Do it,” she snaps.

I put the blinker on and check over my shoulder, moving into the right lane. When I do, I see Vee holding a phone in her other hand, her thumb moving over it like she’s texting someone.

I slow the car and take the ramp. I already know she’s going to tell me to make a left, and I get in that lane, putting on my blinker.

“Figured out where we’re going, did you?” she purrs.

I want to throat-punch this girl. I know I’ve got about three miles before I come to my gravel driveway. I glance around the car, looking for a weapon, but I see nothing. My mind is whirling, trying to think what she’s up to. Best I can figure is she’s after the money. Maybe she thinks its stashed at the house, which it is. I stashed it in a pillowcase and shoved it in the dryer in the basement before I left with Rusty.

I pull down the drive and park in the back.

I’m hoping I can give her the money, and she’ll take off. We climb from the car, and she motions us up the back steps, the gun still in her hand. The door’s unlocked, the broken window boarded up. I lead the way inside, stopping in the kitchen. It’s eerie being back.

She motions us on, and I walk into the dining room and stop short. There, sitting at the table, are Nick and Luca Rialto. I suck in a breath and real terror floods my body. Vee is nothing compared to the danger we’re in now. God, how could I have been so stupid? I let her walk us right into a trap.

Nick leans forward, lifting a glass from next to the bottle of wine before him. “We meet again, Ms. Fox. You’ve given us quite the chase.” He takes a sip. “You have excellent taste in Italian wines.”

I swallow. A million sarcastic remarks on the tip of my tongue, but I’ve got more than myself to worry about. I step between them and Kara. “Well, you caught me, but Kara isn’t involved in any of this. Let her go.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Well, that’s a pity. Too bad she’s seen us.”

A chill runs down my spine. I’m frantically coming up with and discarding a hundred different options to get out