I said, “She’s doing a good fucking job of that herself.You should’ve heard her tell Winters to go fuck off.You’d have loved it.”
“Was he mad?”
“Well, sure.Especially since we did it in front of his golf buddies.”
Rachel laughed.“Wish I’d been there to see her.”
Avery said, “I didn’t want to wait another month.”
“No, baby, it’s okay,” Rachel reassured her.“This has been a long time coming and I’m so glad you went for your freedom.”
“I’d fucked up Miles’s life enough already.”Avery turned an apologetic look on me.
“I’m fine,” I told them both.“I didn’t mind.”
“Sure you did,” Rachel said.“But we’ll make it up to you.”
Avery asked me, “Who’s supervising the movers at Dad’s house?You said a friend?”
“Uh, yeah.About that.”Telling Avery wasn’t a problem, but Rachel was going to give me a hard time.“So a funny thing happened on the way to the party.”I took a corner a little sharper than was ideal, and Avery grabbed the Jesus bar over the door.“Sorry,” I muttered.
“What funny thing?”I could hear suspicion in Rachel’s voice.“You didn’t bring that guy you were fucking to Winter’s house, did you?”
“Notthatguy.”I was pissed Rachel thought I’d even talk to Jayden after what he did.I decided, given how she felt about Logan, I didn’t want to have this argument with her right now.“Another friend.Anyhow.”I glanced around.“We’re two minutes out.With luck, we’ve beaten Winters here, but if the truck’s still loading, this could be less than fun.”
Rachel said, “Good luck!Avery, call me after.No matter what, okay?”
“Okay,” Avery said.“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I turned in at the open gate to the Winters estate as Avery put her phone away.Sure enough, a big truck and an SUV still stood in front of the studio, the truck’s loading door up.I scrambled out and ran over with Avery behind me.Logan turned my way, and I warned him, “Winters is incoming.How close are you?”
“Just done,” he said.
“Let’s roll out, then.”I turned to the familiar-looking man standing behind the truck, carefully stowing the ramp.I was pretty sure he was the company owner I’d hired.“Thousand-dollar bonus each if everyone’s out the gate within a minute.”
The guy stared at me, then shouted, “Guys, we’re out of time.Close up and let’s go!”
Five men hurried out of the studio and climbed into the SUV.Another headed for the driver’s side of the truck.The man I’d spoken to hauled down the loading door, cranked the latch shut and safety-locked it.“All set.”
“Go!I’ll meet you at the storage facility.Thank you.”
He saluted me and rushed to climb up into the cab.The truck engine rumbled, the SUV headed off down the drive, and the truck followed.As we watched, the SUV passed through the gates and turned onto the road.The truck exited and paused as a dark limo came squealing around the corner.
“Go, go, go!”I shouted, although they couldn’t hear me.
Luckily, the driver decided that leaving the scene was the right choice.The truck lumbered out of the drive and made the turn, pulling away as the limo approached.Avery sprinted toward the road in her bare feet, silver dress, and sweatshirt, waving her arms.The limo paused at the driveway, as if debating whether to chase the truck or come her way.After a few seconds, the driver opted to turn in through the gate.
“Come on,” I called to Logan.“That’s Avery’s dad.We need to back her up.”
As we ran after her, the limo charged up the drive, right past us, and slewed to a stop blocking my SUV.
Winters climbed out of the back in his tux and shiny shoes, and strode toward his daughter.“What was that?”he demanded, poking a finger at her.“What did you do?”
For a second, Avery wilted, glancing over her shoulder as if thinking about running, but then she folded her arms and stood tall.“That wasmyart andmyequipment, in a truckIrented.I’m leaving, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“The hell there’s not.”Winters glared at me as Logan and I backed up Avery, then focused back on her.“You’re a thief.”
