I'm used to it, and it works for us. Though seeing him so tense and on edge, it’s a side to him I’ve rarely seen in a long time.
“Have any of the old ladies said anything suspicious?” he asks as we drive through the streets in the nice part of town.
“No, they’re more interested in shopping trips and wine.” I smile when he rolls his eyes. “Do you think anyone will come forward and admit they’re the traitor?”
“Fuck knows.”
“And what if they don’t?” I dare to ask.
“Then I'll have to get creative.”
He doesn’t need to explain in great or any detail for me to imagine how he will get creative.
He slows the car and then parks on the curb out front of Kristen’s house.
“You’ll be better off going in to get her. Kris won’t want to see me.”
“Okay, I won’t be long.”
He has his phone out of his pocket before I can climb out and close the door. I cross the front lawn and ring the doorbell.
I make sure my gloves are tightly cuffed around my wrists while I wait. I've always gotten on well with Kristen, but she has always had the ability to make sure I remember my place.
Nina answers and offers a small smile. “Rayna said you were on your way.”
She opens the door wider, and I step inside.
“How’s she been?” I ask.
“She’s been quiet, but she’s been good for Kristen. She’s been holding it together a lot better than I was expecting. I think having Ray around has been the distraction she needed.”
Rayna comes through from the kitchen and grabs her backpack from the banister.
“Hey, Mom. Is Roman in the car?”
“No, he’s at home with Grandma. Dad's waiting for us.”
She runs for the door, and I call out, “Hey, say your goodbyes first.”
“Bye, Aunt Nina.” She glares at me and asks, “Can I go now?”
Exhaling long and hard, I nod.
“I think I preferred it when she was a baby and woke me up in the night every night.”
“I hear you on that.”
“Okay, well, I better get going. Call me if you need anything.”
We hug and I make a quick escape before Kristen shows her face.
Rayna's already belted in the back when I slide into the passenger seat.
“If any of them even think about trying to stop her, put your gun to their head...” He catches the words that just left his mouth and glances over his shoulder to Rayna in the back.
He sighs with relief when she’s more invested in her phone than his.
“I’m leaving now. Won't be long.”
