Chapter 34

The arrangements were made. He’d grilled her on his expectations of her in the next thirty minutes, what she’d damn well better do, and do fast.

Take the break she was given, and fly the hell away from Home Again Lane. Take her stuff and go, as soon as Masters arrived.

She was standing by the front window now, looking out onto the snow-filled night, a billion flakes coming down.

She glanced over at him, caught him staring at her. “It’s pretty.”

He grunted in response.

“What? You don’t think, despite everything, snow on Christmas Eve is pretty?”

He snorted. “Pretty shmitty. Slows down travel.”

“You’re worried they won’t get to Ian on time.”

“He’ll be there on time.”

She exhaled audibly, a quick little hit of air signaling agreement. Nodded. “He’ll be fine.”

And then he felt it. The vibration of his phone, seconds before the ding hit the air.

-Run!

-What now?

-Masters is out to get you. Run.

-No, we made a deal. It’s good. You’re going free. You okay?

-I’m in a damn squad car.

Self-recrimination tore at him.

-Scores. Where is he?

-You don’t have to worry about him anymore.

-Dead?

-Just about. They worked him over pretty good. SAME GUY IS DRIVING ME RIGHT NOW.

His self-preservation instinct kicked in. He spun, found Tish. “We’re going. Get your coat. Fast.” She ran from the room.

He texted back to his brother—the one he might never see again.

-Text me ASAP. Watch yourself. We’re running. Love you man.

-Masters knows where you are.

-I didn’t give him location.

-Scores knew. They were watching Tish.

The room swirled about him for a moment. Ian, in the hands of monsters.

And Tish. Still in danger.