“Now? I can’t.” It’s six in the evening and he’s at least two hours north, perhaps three.
“You owe me. I lost everything because of you.” Kade’s argument, while annoying, is more or less true. If he hadn’t testified, my rape would’ve been a case of he-said, she-said.
What harm will it do to listen a bit?My lungs exhale fully. “What do you need?”
“Simply for you to pilot a plane. No big deal.”
“To where?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“Mexico.” He says it like one might say, hey let’s take a trip to the Jersey shore.
Unlike what Dashiell claims, I am not and never have been a danger magnet. “Are you fucking kidding me? No way.”
“You must, or I’m a dead man.” My fellow Marine’s voice hitches, sounding not at all like the badass biker I know.
“A cartel? Tell me. I can find you some help.” In my head, I run down the list of people who would jump to my aid, and it surprises me how many friends I have made since leaving The Corp.
“God, no. Do this one thing for me and I’ll never ask you for anything else in my entire life. Please, I am begging you.” For him to sound so desperate, the threat must be real.
“We are so not transporting drugs.” Damn, I can’t believe I am considering his request.
“You’re right. Some guy needs to sneak south of the border and you’re the only one who can do it.”
“Supposing I do what you ask? We are square forever, you understand me?”
“Good copy, and I appreciate your help, this one last time.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t said yes, but I will come up and discuss what you need.” Shit, my spine tingles, but I can’t let Kade get killed. He saved my life by ruining his.
My call to Dash goes straight to voice mail so I leave a message. “Don’t get mad, but Kade needs a pilot, and I can’t say no. Love you, bounty boy. See you when I get home.”
Figuring I need a backup, I phone my best friend, Sam Sutcliff, a badass private eye with powerful underworld connections.
“Hey Landy, how are you?” Her son Mikey whines, and I feel bad for interrupting their family time, so talk fast.
“Hi. My ex-boyfriend wants me to fly someone to Mexico and I can’t say no.”
“What the what? Are you out of your effin’ mind?” If not for her kid next to her, I am sure she would not stop there because neither would I.
“Without my help, he says he’ll die, and I believe him. Kade saved my life, literally. He’s the one who pulled my commanding officer off me.” Scenes of the incident flash through my head, rendering me momentarily speechless.
“Shit. What did Dash say?” Leave it to Sam to bring up my fiancé, the supposed voice of reason.
“My other half is in London.”
“Suds is in DC. Why not wait until I contact him? He’ll reach out to the Patten guys an-”
“No, no. The Renegade Riders would never allow it. Listen, I only called because someone else should know where I am in case something goes wrong.”
Before she can talk me out if it, I say goodbye, ask Mrs. Feinstein to watch Moishe, and take off on my Harley. There has to be some way I can save my friend, and not actually pilot a plane to Mexico.
Chapter 3
Dashiell
Despite the theft of the bracelet or maybe because of it, Lady Covington’s guests flock to the bar. Dad, now dressed as himself, waits with me. As the initial rush subsides, we order two top shelf bourbons.
Slipping a multimillion-dollar bracelet in my jacket pocket was a nasty bit of business, but it’s not the first time. The professional thief pulled stunts like this when I was a kid, but it’s different now. I’m a responsible adult with much to lose.
