Jeremiah tapped his foot beside Monty. The guy was just as excited. Maybe more. But then, he had a kid and a woman at the shelter in Amber Ridge. He’d probably kill her. Monty didn’t give a fuckwhatthe guy did. As long as he fulfilled his end of things today.
He couldn’t see outside, but he knew the exact moment the van hit the dirt road. The ride changed from quiet and smooth to loud and bumpy.
They were close.
Jeremiah’s breathing quickened, like he was so fucking excited he couldn’t hold it together. The guy would probably get himself caught or killed within the first day. Again, not Monty’s problem. His plan was too perfectly laid out to care. Although, he might use a couple of them later on.
The bang of a gun being fired sounded from the front of the van.
The energy in the van changed, the guys sitting a bit straighter. The air felt thicker.
Monty didn’t so much as smile. He wouldn’t smile until he was out.
The van stopped. A few seconds later, the back doors opened and the transport officer stood on the other side. He didn’t look nervous. He looked excited. Apparently, offering him a million dollars to pull this off made a guy excited about shooting a colleague and freeing felons.
He pulled Jeremiah from the van, then Monty. Monty was uncuffed first. The moment Jeremiah was free—the first fucking second—he grabbed the pistol from the officer’s belt.
The officer’s eyes widened. “Hey, what are you—”
Jeremiah shot the officer in the forehead.
And that was why Monty needed the guy. Well…that, and to free everyone else while he got the hell out of there and make sure every one of them headed to Amber Ridge.
They should anyway. Because they knew that if they didn’t, every person they loved on the outside was at risk.
Jeremiah grabbed keys from the dead CTO. As he started uncuffing everyone, Monty jogged toward the mountains, the cool air slipping over his skin.
Fuck, this air tasted better than the stale shit he’d breathed in prison.
It didn’t take long to find the go car. The one the CTO had arranged for himself.
The key was affixed behind the back tire. Monty grabbed it and opened the trunk to find spare clothes. Quickly, he changed and tossed the orange jumpsuit behind a tree.
It was only when he climbed behind a wheel that he let the first smile curve his lips.
He’d done it. He was free. The officers were dead. There would be nine felons free, causing chaos in the small town of Amber Ridge. Murderers. Thieves. They’d be one huge fucking distraction while he did what he had to do.
Thank fuck for money. It bought allies. Freedom. And eventually, it would buy him revenge.
Zane steppedout of The Pit, sunlight hitting his eyes as he walked down the street.
It had only been a week since that mess after the call from Monty, but the second he’d made things right with Bonnie, he’ddecided he wasn’t letting that asshole get into his head. It was what Monty wanted. Exactly why Zane wasn’t giving it to him.
He lifted his phone and texted her.
Zane: How’s your day been, Bon?
It was midafternoon, which meant they were both almost done. Bonnie was meeting him at the gym after work, and fuck, he was excited to see her. He was always excited to see her. Being with her, he actually felt normal and good and alive for the first time in over a year.
Bonnie: It’s been okay.
Zane: Uh-oh. What’s wrong?
Bonnie: I don’t know. I’ve just had this bad feeling all day, like something’s going to happen. And there’s been this strange heaviness around the shelter.
He stopped outside The Tea House.
Zane: You think it has something to do with Carlos?
