He carefully fed the key into the lock, turned it, and swung open the wide door. He slid behind the wheel, twisted the key in the ignition, and smiled when the original V8 engine roared to life with the spit of dark smoke from the exhaust.
“Ready to go for a ride, baby?” He clicked his lap belt into place and stroked the dash.
It was a nice summer afternoon, so he pressed a button and waited while the big convertible top folded back out of the way. Once it was locked in place, he pulled down the gear shift on the steering column, backed out of his space, and headed toward the exit at the back of the property.
His phone rang as he cruised past all of his trucks. While he waited for the gate arm to rise, he tugged the cell phone from his pocket, looked at the screen, and recognized Pennington’s number.
“What the fuck is that dumbass doing calling my personal phone?” He tossed it onto the passenger seat. It bounced, and he caught it before it dropped to the floor. “Stupid son of a bitch can leave a message.”
Three phone calls from him were enough for one day.
A moment later, there was a beep, indicating he’d left a voicemail.
Leonard turned on the radio and pressed the preset button for his favorite classic rock station.
“Led Zeppelin. Hell, yeah.” He cranked up the volume and sped down the road.
The weather was incredible, and he was enjoying the music and the sense of freedom he always felt when the top was down and the wind swirled around him.
This car was a sanctuary for him, a place where no one could bother him.
Then his phone rang again, disturbing his solitude, and he wasn’t surprised when there was another beep.
“God dammit.” He snatched up the phone and listened to the first voicemail.
“Why aren’t you answering your phone?” Pennington shouted. “And where the hell is Kimball?”
“Fuckin’ asshole has the balls to yell at me?” Who the fuck did Pennington think he was, talking to him like that? “Screw him. He can wait.”
Leonard didn’t even bother listening to the second message. He just leaned his head back against the headrest and stomped on the gas.
If there was any news, Vinny would’ve told him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Iwantyoutostay close to me, Charlotte.” Hawk circled around to stand on her right side and wrapped his left arm around the back of her waist.
“Not a problem.” She looped her arm behind him and snuggled nice and close.
Damn, he loved holding her.
“Let’s go,” he said.
They stepped out of the elevator, and he quieted his mind, tuned in to the sounds around them, and scanned the parking lot on their way to his truck.
Remy would react if there was anyone or anything strange.
Hawk gave special attention to the support beams that were wide enough for someone to hide behind and to the dark areas near the corners and between the cars. He didn’t think the people after her would be stupid enough to make a move on her here, but he was not taking any chances.
Charlotte kept her eyes focused ahead of them and, as if sensing the need for silence, remained quiet until they reached the truck.
Hawk pressed his key fob, the horn honked once, and he opened her door. Remy waited while he helped her inside, set her bag on the floor by her feet, and swung the door shut.
He opened the back door.
“Place.” Remy hopped up into the back seat and stood with his head between the front seats. His tongue lolled in and out with each pant.
Hawk shut the door and hurried around to the driver’s side. He swung open his door, and thebingfrom the elevator arriving at the garage level was amplified by the concrete structure.
