“Aye, more time!” I slam the cellphone into the wall, transitioning into phase two. I go into full paranoia panic mode.
If Chevelle’s not here, then where is she?
Is she with Michie?
“Och, we’llfeckin’see about that.”
Chapter 53
Chevelle
A sweltering sunshines down when we reach the drive-through town Justice fled to. I’ve turned a twelve-hour drive to New Mexico into an eight-hour sprint and still didn’t have time to let Leith’s mess percolate. The town is miles away from any interstate freeways and an hour past Albuquerque. The main street has a McDonald’s, so we meet her there.
“Thanks, but don’t embarrass me,” I say as Brody holds the door open.
“Och, quit acting like a bitch.”
“Call me—”
“I saidacting, Chevelle. I’ve never called ye out by name—can’t say the same for ye. Get yer ears checked, sweetheart.”
Pawing at his beard, Brody walks on. The McDonald’s has a playhouse in the rear. Many of the patrons are scattered close to the play area exit. Justice is in a corner booth, away from the action. She doesn’t look ready to grace an ultra-curvy chick magazine, not like usual. She’s wearing sweatpants and an old purple Prince shirt with enough holes in it to signify how much it’s been loved over the years.
“Sweetcakes,” Brody nods to Justice, sliding into the booth.
“You brought—” She starts to rise.
“Brody won’t say a damn word, Justice. Come here.”
Pursing her lips, she climbs from the booth. We hug, and a fresh wave of tears flood my eyes. I’d silently cried all the way here. When I stopped for gas, Brody bought and pumped. Without a word, we changed places, and he drove. I thought there’d be no more tears, but a torrent streams down my cheeks.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” Justice says as we settle in the booth together.
“Come clean, girl.” Brody settles back. There’s a faint show of gun handle. Justice bristles. “Relax, I wasn’t implying anything. This is an open carry state.”
“Brody, I already have enough regrets because of you. Shut up.”
“How’d the two of you make this drive?” Justice lifts a brow.
“Wit?” Brody sniffs. “Dinna get off-topic. Tell us what ye have to tell us. Ye work for the Romans.”
Romans? Iarch a brow at his accusation.What is he going on about?
“Listen here!” Justice points a finger at Brody. “I will stick a pin in those biceps and laugh as they deflate. You steroid popping—”
“Och, yeah?” He chuckles. “I’ll still let ye grab the beard whileye ride my di...”
Oil ceases mixing with water. Brody clears his throat. A family walks toward an open booth behind us. Justice starts up, but I’m sitting on the outside. Thank God for small blessings.
“Justice,hecan go across the room if you’d like. Talk to me.”
Staring at Brody, I seal the threat. That’s when I notice a flash of concern before he glances down, mouth tight. The fire in Justice’s eyes is gone. I doubt they stopped bickering for the sake of keeping it PG around children.
“Doesn’t matter anymore, Chevelle. I need to get something off my chest.”
“What happened, honey?” I empathize.
“When you gave me your half of the money from the Japanese guys, it reminded me how there are good people in the world.”