He’d snuck me across the border, but at least he had the sense to grab this before leaving New York, so I’d have a way to get back. I hugged it to my chest as I had the taser. Luck was on my side for once.
Sybil had been gone for a while now, presumably down in the shed packing her things.
I grabbed my coat, pants, boots, and a backpack, stuffing a change of clothes, food, water, and other essentials inside. I rummaged through the kitchen drawers for knives or anything else I could use as a weapon, as it seemed Gray had taken everything of real use.
Damn, that asshole was sneaky when he wanted to be. How had I slept through all that?
I heard a loud thunk on the porch, followed by Sybil walking through the door.
“Ready,” she puffed out, coming inside.
I nodded, hands on my hips, eyes fixed on the cats. I was chewing on the inside of my cheek.“What are we going to do with the cats?”
Sybil gnawed at her sleeve.“Take them with us?”
I cursed under my breath.
This was going to be a complete circus.
“Alright, Mr. Beans,” I announced, my voice carrying a warning.“Saddle up, buddy. We’re going for a ride.”
He blinked twice. Poor guy wouldn’t know what hit him. This time, the weather was warmer, so he wouldn’t freeze in the little kennel.
I sprang into action.“Stay here, Sybil. I’ll bring the four-wheeler up and get the kennel from the shed.” I pushed past a very excited Bill, who was buzzing with excitement.
In the shed, I removed the cover from the cherry-red four-wheeler, settled into the seat, and held my breath as I turned the engine over. It roared to life. I let out a whoop, hopped out, and topped up the gas.
Once we were closer to civilization, I’d call Clementine and update her. I was already cooking up my own plan, one that would eclipse whatever harebrained scheme the boys had in mind. If there was one thing I excelled at, it was proving assholes wrong—Nash and Gray were about to get a healthy dose of spite. I just hoped Sybil would be on board with the plan, but anger was a powerful motivator and she seemed more than ready to kick some ass.
Once we reached cell service, I’d call Frederick to come get us. Then I’d get the perfect team assembled. The boys wouldn’t know what hit them. Besides, I was eager to pull off another heist, and what better way to do it than with a spectacular show.
An hour later, Sybil and I strapped ourselves in and sped into the forest, leaving the cabin behind. I couldn’t help but feel the tug in my heart at seeing the property disappear in the rearview mirror. I really loved that place.
“We’ll need new outfits!” I shouted over the roar of the engine to Sybil, who sat beside me.
It was a four-person Polaris built like a beast with shocks that were far more effective than anything on the snowmobile. We really needed to get a better winter option in the future because this was nothing short of pure luxury.
Sybil grinned back at me, nodding.
I went on,“And you, my dear, will also need a seriously awesome tool belt.”
Her hands clapped together, and she wriggled in her seat with excitement. It was wonderful to see her so happy. She’d agreed to my extravagant idea without a second thought.
There was a low yowl from the back. It was Mr. Beans, but he was barely audible over the din of the engine. Villainy was nestled on Sybil’s lap in his makeshift harness, strapped to her front and bobbing gently with the motion of the vehicle. He seemed to enjoy the drama. Bill was in the back seat behind Sybil, secured in his own harness with goggles perched over his eyes. His tongue was lolling as he hung his head out the side. He seemed to love this too.
Damn, we were quite a sight.
By midday, Sybil’s phone pinged with returned signal, and I made my calls while she took the wheel.
Apparently, Sybil had never driven before, but she tackled it with gusto and a terrifying amount of confidence. I must have shrieked into Clementine’s ear a few times as we jolted over bumps in the rugged, overgrown forest road, while Sybil giggled.
She called it payback.
By mid-afternoon, we reached the town. After grabbing something to eat, the phone buzzed with a message; it was Frederick. He was already at the border and expected to arrive by late evening.
We fed the animals, giving Mr. Beans a well-earned strip of bacon, and found a spot for the four-wheeler to stay while we were gone. A garage in town contained lockers filled with vehicles similar to ours. I happily discovered that our vehicle was already registered, making the stay free.
As we sat down for coffee at a small-town shop a little while later, we attracted a few curious stares as the pets came along with us, though Sybil didn’t flinch from the attention. No one bothered us about the pets at least, Sybil veraciously standing up for them and flashing Bill’s service dog paperwork. I was so proud of my timid sister-from-another-mister. If she was growing brave, that just meant more fun for us.
