“What about the dead grunts?” Bree inquires.
“There are no cameras inside or outside the crypt, so we’ll put them in our trunk and dispose of them later.”
I stare at my dad like he has three heads.
“I’ll create a false digital trail,” he adds. “Make it look like they have absconded overseas, and then I’ll kill them in a car accident, and problem solved.”
My jaw slackens at how flippant he appears. So much for him being an accountant.
All of them make this sound so normal. I am beginning to realize it is for them.
Shock renders me mute as Mom wraps her arm around my shoulders and hugs me. I stare at Jase through dazed eyes, wondering how much of our relationship was real. I had already suspected it wasn’t true recently but for vastly different reasons.
“I love you,” Jase blurts, stepping forward and softly pulling me back into his arms. “I didn’t tell you before because I couldn’t offer you a future. I still can’t, but I’m done hiding the truth.” He cups my face and tilts my chin up. “It was real, baby. All of it.” He crashes his lips to mine, and my dad makes a strangled sound from behind.
“Jase, sweet and all as this is, we need to go,” Mom says. “This isn’t safe for any of us.”
Her words reel me back to reality. I break our kiss, placing my hand on his chest. I don’t know much of anything. Jase is still engaged to Julia, and there seems no solution is in sight. But I know his words are sincere. And I know now he was telling the truth when he said he was being forced into the relationship. That’s what counts. I don’t know where we go from here, or if there is any future path for us, but I’m done fighting him. “I love you too.”
“You don’t have to do this. We can still escape and take our chances,” he offers.
Mom mutters under her breath.
“It doesn’t sound like that’s any way to live our lives, and I don’t shy away from challenges.” I fling my arms around him and kiss him passionately. “We’ll find another way.”
“The other car is in position,” Dad confirms, lifting his head from his cell. “Go now before it’s too late.”
Jase looks over my head at Mom with the most tortured expression. “I don’t want her to initiate. I can’t…” His voice cracks, and I squeeze him tight before releasing him. They need to leave before someone finds them here.
I move back beside Mom. Sympathy splays across her face while Dad looks like he wants to murder someone with his bare hands.
This time, Bree steps in. “Ash is strong. She’ll get through it. At least this way, it buys us time to figure out a permanent solution that doesn’t involve hiding and running forever. C’mon, PC2. Time to hit the road.” Bree slants me a pointed look.
“Go. I’ll be fine. I need both of you safe.”
“You’re my world, Temptress,” Jase says, before slamming his lips down on mine again for one final kiss. Then Bree drags him away, and they both slip into the tunnel. Dad shuts it behind them, and I pray they get to safety. I don’t want to see them suffer for trying to rescue me.
“Come on.” Mom pulls me forward. “We have lots to do and little time to do it.”
* * *
Mom sends a message to The Luminaries confirming she is with me and helping me to prepare. It will buy us time, apparently. The three of us work together in silence, carrying the dead men from the cell up the stairs and out to my dad’s armored SUV. Everything is surreal, and I’m still in shock. I have so many questions, yet at the same time, I can’t form a single one.
We stuff the guys in the trunk and set about cleaning up all the blood inside and outside the crypt. By the time we are done, we’re all sweating and red-faced and in desperate need of water.
Dad returns to the car, coming back a few minutes later with three bottles of water and a variety of protein bars. We eat and drink in silence.
I’m trying to grasp everything that has happened today, but my mind is blown.
“I want to show you something,” Mom says when we are finished. Standing, she offers me her hand and hauls me to my feet.
“I’ll go now,” Dad says, glancing at Mom. “I want to get rid of the bodies, and I shouldn’t be here when they arrive.”
“Who’s coming?” My gaze skates between my parents.
“I will explain everything in due course.” Mom pats my hand. “The Luminaries won’t be here for a few hours.”
“Why can’t you be here?” I ask Dad.
