We all glance around at each other in confusion. “That might have been where the owner was heading?” I ask, not sure what the problem is.
“But why did they leave their perfectly working car on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere?”
“Is it a trap?” I ask, pushing my blond hair back from my face.
“Who would have set it? We were already in prison, what other sort of trap could we be led to?” Dex asks.
“There are worse places than prison,” Sly says ominously.
Jagger grabs the phone from Sly and starts swiping at the screen, then types something. When he’s done, he turns it so Sly can read it aloud. “Maybe it’s someone leading us to Wren.”
Dex shakes his head. “Who would know about her, and us? She said she didn’t tell anyone.”
“Let’s vote, because I don’t have any better ideas,” Sly says, taking the phone back and shoving it in his pocket. “I vote Colorado Springs.”
Jagger raises his hand and Sly nods. “Two for Colorado. What about you two?” he asks, turning to me and Dex.
I look at Dex and he watches me for a moment before shrugging. “At least it won’t be so goddamned hot there.”
“I guess we’re going to Colorado then,” I say, feeling good about the choice. I just hope my angel cake is there somewhere.
CHAPTER NINE
SLY
Since we don’t have much cash, we sleep in the SUV and use the little bit of money we have to grab some fast food through drive-thru’s. This way, we limit the chance of being spotted by anyone, as our escape must be on the news by now. It also reduces the risk of being caught on any camera footage.
By the time we arrive in Colorado, we’re all exhausted. We took turns driving, but it’s a long trip and a long time to be on edge, waiting to be pulled over by the police at any moment for driving a stolen vehicle.
But as I drive us through the dark streets of Colorado Springs, all I can think about is her, my little bird. Is it possible she’s actually here somewhere? My eyes are constantly scanning the streets, as if I might see her walking down the sidewalk. Not that I know what she looks like other than black hair and blue eyes. But I have a feeling I will recognize her the second I lay my eyes on her.
We had absolutely no reason to follow the GPS here, and now I’m starting to regret it. It was my idea, and I’m worriedI’ve not only led us astray, but now we’re so far from Wren’s home that we have no trail to follow.
How will we find her?
“There,” Pete says, pointing to a rundown motel up ahead. “That’s where the GPS is taking us.”
I pull into a spot covered in shadows, and we all step out, taking a moment to stretch after the long drive.
“Now what?” Pete asks, looking around the less than welcoming motel.
“We ask if anyone has seen her,” Dex says, marching toward the lobby.
“We don’t even know what she looks like!” I call after him.
“I know enough!” he yells back. I move to join him, but Jagger lays a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from following as he shakes his head.
He’s right, one of us going in there won’t raise any suspicions, but four of us might.
“Dex!” I call, and he spins around, tilting his head at me. “At least let me go ask, you’re more recognizable.”
“You mean because of my scars,” he asks, frowning at me like I insulted him.
“No, because you’re a giant,” Pete chuckles, referencing Dex’s massive frame.
He rolls his eyes as he heads back to us. “Fine, go.”
I nod and quickly head for the lobby before he changes his mind. Stepping inside, the smell hits me hard; mold, stale coffee, and cigarette smoke. I kind of hope Wren hasn’t been here; this isn’t the type of place she should stay.
