Tell her something she didn’t know.
“Our guys are still searching for the shooter,” Javion said as he rocked back on his heels and stood beside his motorcycle. “They’ll report back when they know something. Until then, this place should be good.”
This was a good place? Truly? She squinted at it. The windows were boarded up. A big NO TRESPASSING sign hung near the double doors that had to be the entrance to the place. At first, she’d thought it was a rundown bar, but now, Agnes realized it appeared that the building had been closed down for a very long time. Not just rundown. More like shut down.
“Your security should still be in place from last time,” Javion continued.
“Ahem.” She cleared her throat. With her non-cuffed hand, Agnes tapped on Cass’s shoulder. “Not to be a pessimist, but we’ve been found by your enemies at our last two safe spots. The no-tell motel?” In case he’d somehow forgotten that amazing experience. “And your ranch house. What’s to stop us from getting attacked here, too?” And, quite clearly, the man had a large target on his back.
That target is why two different people have tried to stab him in said back.
“I believe Levi was feeding our locations to my enemy.” A low, furious rumble. “Dead men can’t feed shit to anyone.”
“Uh, no, no, they can’t feed, ah, shit to people.” Who is your enemy?
“I scouted around before you arrived.” Javion’s hands rested on his hips. “It’s good.”
Was it? Not like she was ready to jump onto the “good” reassurance so quickly. At this point, she didn’t think any place was good where they were concerned.
“Go help the others with the search,” Cass ordered. “I’ve got her.”
Yes, he did. He had her cuffed to him.
“If you find the shooter,” Cass added when Javion turned to mount his motorcycle, “keep him alive.”
She brightened. Awesome, he was not killing?—
“Keep him alive long enough for me to beat the bastard to death,” Cass finished.
And she stopped brightening.
“Message received,” Javion replied. He spun his bike around and roared out.
As for Cass…“Keep holding on,” he told her. And he drove right for the big, double doors that led to the old bar. She did keep holding on because it wasn’t like she had much choice. When they got right up to those doors, Agnes realized a keypad was attached to the door frame. He leaned forward, punched in the code, and the doors swung open with a click.
Then the man just drove his motorcycle inside.
The doors closed.
And…
Lights flashed on. One after the other after the other. And, yes, it was a bar. But not some rundown place. Gleaming, polished wood on the high bar countertop. Four huge pool tables. About fifteen to twenty tables scattered around the place, all with chairs that had been flipped over and placed on top of them.
A jukebox waited in the corner. Old-school. With soft lights and fat buttons in the front.
She turned slowly. Not a full turn, not like she could do that with the cuffs, but as much of a turn as she could make. Her gaze took in everything she saw, including the narrow hallway to the side and the line of monitors that filled the right wall.
Cass strode toward the bar—which meant she had to stride there with him since they were still connected. With his free hand, he reached behind the bar and pulled out what looked like a remote. After clicking a button, the monitors turned on, and she saw images of the bar’s exterior. The road out front. What she suspected were the woods out back. “Ah, guessing this is…your gang’s hideout, huh?” So much for the Night Strikers just being primarily an East Coast crew.
He put down the remote, turned his head, and locked those glittering, intent eyes on her. “We have a problem.”
“We sure as hell do.” Her chin jutted up. “That bastard you left bleeding out had answers! Levi had one of the tattoos!” Anger and fear and frustration rolled within. She jerked on the cuff that still held them together. The cuff was loose enough on her wrist that she could twist her hand around, but she could not get out. “Did you let me question him? No, you cuffed me and then basically kidnapped me! That crap is not cool! It’s not what partners do to each other.”
He was…
Moving. Storming away. Dammit, she had to storm, too. “We’re connected!” Agnes snapped at him. “At least undo the stupid cuff!”
He whirled toward her. They were right next to one of the pool tables. “That stupid cuff kept you alive.”
