“You’re not a suspect,” Detective Murdock said. He was polite, but his irritation was evident. “We’re just gathering information. Surely you can help with that.”
“Not without my lawyer.”
He sighed, clearly frustrated. “Fine,” he said curtly before hanging up.
I tossed the phone on the bed. “I can’t afford a fucking lawyer,” I groaned.
Cash zipped up his bag. “I got you,” he said.
I hesitated. I loved how quick he was to step in, but I didn’t want to rely on him for everything. “It’s fine. I’ll figure it out, I still have some money in my savings.”
He turned, his deep brown eyes boring into mine. “Jasmine, do you trust me?”
“With my life.” The past few days had proved that much. Cash was willing to risk it all for me, no questions asked.
“Then trust me to handle this. Let me be your man and take care of it,” he said firmly.
I nodded, swallowing my pride. “Okay.”
He came closer, kissing me softly. “I told you—we’re locked in. I’m always going to protect you.”
A few hours later, we piled into an SUV and headed to the airport. Slim drove with Jelani in the passenger seat, Fontaine, Cash, and myself were in the back two rows.
I glanced around as Slim reversed out of the driveway. “Where’s Nairobi?”
“She’s dumping one of the cars we used,” Fontaine replied.
The ride to the airport was quieter than I expected. I’d started to feel comfortable with Cash and his crew over the past few days. Despite the mess, there were moments where shit felt… normal. I thought the drive would be the same, but even Jelani—who never shut up—kept his mouth closed.
At the private hangar, the small flight crew moved quickly to load our bags onto the jet. Fontaine stayed near the SUV, phone to his ear, scanning the lot.
“She should’ve been here by now,” he muttered. I lingered near the steps of the plane, watching him as the others boarded. Fontaine stood, staring down at his phone.
“Go ’head,” Cash said, nudging me up the steps.
I boarded reluctantly and chose a window seat where I could still see him. Outside, I watched as he approached Fontaine, who showed him something on his phone. Fontaine’s shoulders slumped while Cash read whatever was on the screen. He shook his head and placed a hand on Fontaine’s shoulder as they both turned to board the jet.
“Is she—” I started, but Cash shook his head sharply as he slid into the seat next to me.
Fontaine dropped into an empty seat across from us, still gripping his phone. He stared blankly out the window, ignoring the flight attendant when she came around to offer him a drink. An uncomfortable silence settled over the cabin as the plane began to taxi, everyone pretending they didn’t notice Nairobi’s absence.
I jumped as the pilot’s voice came over the speakers. Cash squeezed my thigh gently in an attempt to reassure me, but it did nothing to settle the unease I felt.
This wasn’t a mistake. Nairobi had made a quiet and deliberate move. I thought back to the hesitation when I asked for her info, the way she dodged certain conversations. I’d hoped we could be friends, but truthfully, I didn’t know shit about her. I was still learning how Cash’s world worked. Everything was complicated.
Cash never mentioned her and Fontaine being together, but judging by the look on Fontaine's face, this was more than a little situationship. It wasn’t casual. That was a heartbroken man.
CHAPTER32
FONTAINE JACKSON
Unknown: I’m sorry.
CHAPTER33
CASH “MONEY” BANKS
THREE WEEKS LATER…
