“Come on then.” Mia slides her hand through mine. “Let’s get to the car. Let’s do t
his.”
* * *
The drive over is horrible. It’s the worst thing in the world. I insisted on driving which I only regret when I get out onto the roads and my hands are shaking. I keep peeking in the mirror to see behind me, to look for the cops, but true to their word they have kept a respectful distance the whole time.
My hand slips of the steering wheel ever so often because of the sweat slicking over my skin. Nerves shot like little snakes through my system, coiling through my organs. Every second of it is torture.
“Is the case of money still in the back,” I demand. “I didn’t forget it, did I?”
“No, it’s there.” Mia sounds more stoic now. “Don’t worry, we have everything.”
“I shouldn’t have let you come along.” I shake my head. “I shouldn’t. It’s too dangerous.”
“I wouldn’t let you come alone and you know it. You need some back up.”
I dart my eyes towards her. “What if it pisses Hayley off that I’ve brought a woman along?”
“I don’t know if that will bother her. She just wants the money, doesn’t she?”
“She has messaged me about you before. I think she was watching us.”
“Holy shit, why didn’t you tell me that before?” Mia yells.
“What if she was watching us now and she knows about the police? She might be about ten steps ahead of us.”
“She hasn’t said anything in the messages and I know she can’t help herself. She loves to brag.”
“Oh God, now I’m really worried.” She rubs her head hard. “Now, I don’t know what to think.”
“It’ll be fine. I’m sure she would have told me.”
“It could be a game,” she insists. “It could all be a plan. She might be smarter than you think.”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to think about that right now.”
Mia’s anxiety creeps in with my own and we both stew in a pit of panic just waiting until we get there. This better not go badly, I won’t be able to relax now until we get there. Luckily, we’re only moments away, so this hideous anticipation won’t need to last too much longer.
“This is it,” I whisper as we pull up into the business park. “We’re here.”
“Can you see anyone?” Mia’s voice shakes. “This place is weirdly empty.”
I peer up, unable to know for sure. “Not yet, I need to go a little closer.”
“Okay, drive slower. Let’s keep an eye out. We need to be sure.”
My heart thumps hard against my sternum, my body zig zagging with nerves. This is it, the moment is here, I don’t know how to keep myself cool. This is the worst fucking thing that Hayley has ever done and it leaves me worried about what she’s capable of.
“Oh fuck,” I gush out as I spot shadows moving, flickering, dancing. “We’re here. There she is.”
20
Mia
Hayley is nothing like I expected, not at all. I had this witchy image of her in my mind, black long hair, ugly features type of woman who’s willing to kidnap her own child to try and extortionate money. But she isn’t like that at all. She’s got buttery blonde hair, a sweet heart shaped face, and bug fake boobs. Not only does she not look evil. She also doesn’t look like someone I can imagine Noah with. But she must be.
“That’s really her?” I gasp back. “Where is your boy?”