“Do you have any idea where they went?” I ask him.
“I think they wanted to go to Reno. Tyler said he’d drive him.”
“Tyler’s gone!” Mom exclaims in horror.
Eight lowers his eyebrows. “Who the fuck is Tyler?”
“Mom’s boyfriend,” I say.
At the same time, mom says, “Also my bouncer. I can’t believe he left this place unprotected!”
She seems to be overlooking the reason Tyler left. “Mom! Priorities! He took Henri and Oscar into Reno!”
“Why would they want to go there?” she says.
Under his breath, Eight says to me, “Probably to rescue you.”
“Jesus,” I reply as chills course through me. “You think they went to Kozlov’s place?”
“Who’s Kozlov?” Mom asks. “And why did you need rescuing?”
“Long story,” Eight grabs my arm and drags me outside. As we get into the truck, he says, “I’m gonna kill that fuckin’ bouncer.”
“Get in line,” I reply.
Eight breaks a few speed records getting us to Reno.
“Do you think Kozlov will hurt them?” I ask en route.
“Depends. If they’re disrespectful, he might.”
I groan. “Henri’s dead then.”
“Look. Don’t worry. They’re not gonna get through the door without knocking. Kozlov’s probably giving them shots of vodka and telling them about the good old days back in Russia.”
I shake my head. “Henri probably picked the lock.”
He swivels his head and stares at me in disbelief. “Henri can pick locks?”
“Eyes on the road,” I rasp. “And, yeah. I taught her in case she gets in trouble.” I glare at him. “But she bloody well cannot pick pockets.”
“Fuck,” Eight mutters. “We’re raising criminals.”
“We may as well start our own crime family.”
In Reno, he heads straight to the Grand Sierra, and parks at the curb outside. The valet, name tag, Pierce, approaches. “Welcome to the Grand Sierra. If you give me your keys, I’ll?—”
“You’re not touching my fuckin’ truck,” Eight spits out as he curls his fists. “It stays here and when I get back, if it isn’t, I will run you over with it.”
“Sir, I can’t just?—”
“We have a meeting with Denis Kozlov,” I intercede.
Pierce visibly pales. “Of course. I understand. I’ll make sure no one moves your truck.”
Eight reaches behind him.
“Please, I promise.”
