CHAPTER 21
CASH
THEheadlights shine on Bobby as we approach the old, weathered barn. The red paint is so thin it’s pink in places. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he watches us near him.
Dale and I study the area for any signs of people hiding, ready to jump us when we exit the vehicle, but there aren’t many places to hide out here. The fields are dried up with barely any grass growing, except for short clumps here and there. Phil chose a pretty open spot. Probably because he feared we’d be hiding in wait for him.
When we get up to the barn, I turn the truck around to face the road in case we need to make a quick escape. I don’t notice any other cars and wonder where Phil parked. Maybe he’s not here yet and sent Bobby early, but I doubt that he trusts him that much.
Taking a deep breath, I turn to Dale, who is double checking his handgun for the hundredth time. His nervousness billows off him in waves. Dale is smart, strong and brave, but he’s mostly a sarcastic asshole who’s superb at running his mouth. He suggested thatwe just kill Phil in the beginning, which I wish we had, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it himself. I’m not so sure I would’ve been able to do it then, either. Had I known what would happen, I wouldn’t have hesitated to shoot him outside of Dustin’s house.
I lock eyes with Cady in the rearview mirror. She’s holding up a strong appearance, but beneath her forced courage is fear. She was right. We don’t know what will come of this meeting. I wish she would’ve stayed at Hazel’s. Dale and I already have to keep our attention on Phil and Dustin while also attempting to keep Hazel and Joseph safe in the process. Adding another person to worry about can break our focus. Especially Cady. She’s as much of a wild card as Phil. Hazel will never forgive me if something happens to her.
I grab my gun and two clips from the glove box. Sliding in one of the magazines, it clicks into place. I cock it, ensuring there’s one in the chamber ready to go if need be. All that anger that Cady brought to the surface earlier is boiling over on the back burner. Gripping the gun in my hand, I meditate for a second and center myself.
Be smart. Don’t lose it to the rage—use it as fuel.
A calming wave surges through me, silencing my inner turmoil. My hand loosens its painful grip as the two pieces of myself come together in a peaceful alliance. Who knew it would take the possibility of losing someone again to set me free from the very thing that imprisoned me in the first place.
Daleturns to Cady and pulls her close to his face. “You’re not going in there. I won’t allow it.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but Dale smashes his lips against hers, shocking her and shutting her up. I wonder if that’s the first time they’ve actually kissed.
“You will stay in the car where I know you’ll be safe. I can’t be worried about you and trying to help keep everyone else safe as well. Too much is at risk here. Do you understand?”
She nods her head and tries to pull away, but Dale keeps hold of her and presses his lips to hers once more. This time, I step out of the truck to give them some privacy. I’m thankful that Dale was able to talk some sense into her.
As I tuck the gun in my waistband, Dale climbs out of the truck and grabs the bag out of the back. He stands next to me and takes one last look over his shoulder at Cady through the window. Bobby’s dismal expression as we step up to the barn doors is foreboding.
Inside the musty barn, we see not only Phil and a busted-up Dustin, but a busted-up Samuel as well. I thought that fucker was smarter than this. All this time, I was worried that he’d turn us over to the cops, not side with the fucking enemy that has destroyed our lives. Samuel fidgets slightly, sweat evident on his brow by his damp hair. He should be nervous. He should be more than nervous, because when I’m done dealing with Phil, his ass is mine.
I glance at Joseph to ensure his well-being, but don’t see Hazel next to him. My heart drops to my stomach. Then I see it. A flicker of movement in the shadows, anda scared, bruised face peeking between two shoulders. I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when her eyes meet mine. Uncertainty. The unease in my gut grows more as the two shoulders come together blocking her from view once again.
He’s guarding her from me.
“Cash,” Phil chimes, raising his arms out to his sides. “So good to see you again.”
“Cut the shit, Phil.”
His face sobers, and the Phil we know and hate appears in his cold, narrowed gaze. How has he made it this far in life without anyone realizing the twisted shit he is capable of? Someone doesn’t become this way overnight. I know. It took years of silent bitterness and guilt to ferment into the rage that burns inside of me.
“Glad to see you could make it early,” Phil says, folding his hands in front of him. “That just means we can get this over with and move on with our lives. Separately.”
“I agree.”
We stare at each other for a moment, the space between us feeling like we’re on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon. The tension in the air is prepared to snap, awaiting the first person to take that step over the edge. This barn could be our graveyard if we’re not cautious with how we tread.
“I want to see the money,” Phil says.
“I wantto see Hazel,” I counter.
Phil smirks. “I don’t think you’re in any position to demand things.”
“Oh? I believe I am. This bag holds your livelihood. Without it, you’ll have to pay your own way. And we both know you’ll end up in jail before you make enough money to get on your feet.”
Pure satisfaction fills me, and I have to keep from grinning like the devil when his lips pull tight and his hands ball into fists. He knows I’m right. This money means more to him than their lives. Without them, he doesn’t get his payday.
Phil reaches behind him and jerks Hazel up next to him. He only grips her arm tighter when she nearly falls. It takes every bit of control I have not to run to her. She pulls herself upright and attempts to stand on her own, but her legs are shaking, and I worry if she can do it. Once she steadies herself, she raises her head. I clamp my jaw shut to keep from screaming at Phil for what he’s done to her.
