Page 66 of Property of Player

I bite my lip as a plan formulates. Perhaps I could tell the prospects I left something in his room the other night. Maybe they’d let me in. Maybe I could find a weapon.

Turning my head, I look at Randall and imagine a future with him. If I’m to escape, I have to be brave. But am I brave enough to put a gun to the back of his sleeping head and pull the trigger?

I turn and stare at the ceiling.

Yes, I think I am.

But what would I do with the body?

Tears form in my eyes. I’d end up in prison for sure.

That’s no way out.

And I’m not spending life in prison for this piece of shit.

There has to be a way.

I glance at the clock. It’s after 11:00 p.m. I need to sneak out of this room and text Player, but if Randall wakes up and catches me…

I don’t dare risk it.

Tomorrow.

I’ll try tomorrow.

Chapter nineteen

Taylor

“Go doll yourself up. I’m takin’ you out for dinner. I want a steak before I get back on the road.”

Randall drives long-haul trucks for whoever he can get a paying job from. He’s got a semi-tractor, but I thought he left it behind in Virginia. I never saw it, but he must have it stashed somewhere close.

He’s been driving around in a small two-door pickup that I’ve seen him tow behind his semi.

“Where’s your truck?” I ask.

“Never you mind. Just do what I told you. I’m fucking hungry.”

Hope floods me. If he’s going back on the road, he’ll be gone for a few days, maybe a week if he’s going across country.

Moving into the bathroom, I plug in my curling iron and start combing my hair. I feel the phone in my pocket vibrate.

I dig it out and check the screen.

It’s Player. I’ve been able to keep our communications hidden over the last few days Randall has been here.

The doctors kept my mother overnight, and when I confided in Kayla that Randall had shown up, we worked a plan where she insisted Mom go to her house so Kayla could take care of her.

Mom wasn’t thrilled. She wanted to come home, and I don’t blame her, but it’s all I could think to do.

Now, if Randall is leaving, maybe I can return to Virginia and lead him there. That’s the plan, unless I get brave enough to go looking at the clubhouse for a weapon. Maybe with him gone for a few days, I’ll be able to breathe again. I’ve been walking on eggshells since he showed up, nervous as a cat and afraid any little thing I do will set him off.

I read the text from Player.

Player: How’s my baby? I miss you. We’re at a gas station in Vegas, but I want to call you tonight when we stop. Please answer this time.

I smile, wishing so badly he were here. I’ve got to figure out a way to sneak a call to him later.