21
LEONE
Zoey paces, her hips swaying as she moves back and forth beside our bed. Bentley and I sit and watch her.
“She’ll come back,” I tell her again.
“She just left. I didn’t think she’d do that.” She shakes her head. “After we talked last night, I thought she’d realize she should stay. I mean, I told her we could all go to a beach or do whatever it is she wanted. I told her how much I love you. I thought she understood.”
“Maybe she needs time to process it.” I stand and walk to her, stopping her gently and pulling her into my arms, ignoring the ache from the bullet wound.
“I know, but she just ran off. It’s like the last time. She thinks she can do whatever she wants and leave me in a holding pattern. That I’ll be waiting for her when she comes back.”
“You weren’t last time.”
She looks up at me with watery eyes and a wry smile. “That’s because, according to her, you ‘kidnapped’ me.”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” I scoop her into my arms and sit on the bed, cradling her in my lap.
“I’d run away with you. You wouldn’t even have to save my life or anything. I’m yours,” she breathes against my neck, her body still tense as her mind worries over what made Xanny take one of my cars and tear out of here last night.
I don’t know either. Lenny came banging on our bedroom door to say she’d gone, and I had to stop him from taking off after her. But that’s the thing about Xanny–she can take care of herself. For better or worse, she makes her own choices and follows through on them. I learned that when I realized she was the one who took Nick’s cash from Marvin’s safe.
“Maybe she’s gone to get the money and find her own beach.” I hug her tighter. “Do you think that’s it?”
“No way.” She shakes her head. “She wouldn’t leave me. Not when–Wait!” She wriggles from my hold, and I let her go.
“What is it, little one?”
“The box! I still have it.” She dashes to the closet.
I follow and watch as she pulls it from the back of her underwear drawer. “Here, see? I thought Xanny and I would open it together.”
“Come.” I take her hand and bring her back to the bed. “Let’s see what she was hiding.” I hate seeing Zoey so upset. “I’ve been assuming whatever is in here will lead to the cash.”
“Me, too. That’s why I sort of put it aside. But maybe that’s where she’s gone, you know? To get the cash.”
“Likely.” I examine the lock on the box, then grab my phone to find the photo of the scrap of paper Xanny left behind the photo. “Here’s the code.” I use the combination, and the lock springs open.
With shaking hands, Zoey opens the small box, then makes a ‘hmmph’ noise. “What is this?” She pulls out a casino chip.
“Looks like ten bucks from the Golden Pearl.”
She gives me a blank look.
“A casino over on the county line.”
“Oh, I think maybe Xanny was working there. She said she was serving drinks at a casino.” She looks up, thinking. “Maybe that’s where she stashed the money. She had a locker there or something for her change of clothes and personal items.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Honestly, it’s brilliant.”
“What?”
“There’s no place on earth more secure than the inner workings of a casino. If she stowed the cash inside, it’s perfectly safe.”
“That’s Xanny.” She stands and nods. “Come on. Let’s see if we can find her before she makes any big decisions.”
“Hey,” I say softly.