“I thought you wanted this in one piece?” I challenge, knowing I’m tempting the devil to come out.
“I also said faster.”
I don’t need to be told again. The sooner this is back at the shop, the sooner I can get to Kenzie, and we can put Denver behind us. I can put all of this behind me and have her as my future. Open my own shop, a legit one.
“Hold your breath,” Tig jokes but I do, hoping so desperately that if I hold my breath the old superstitions about having a wish come true at the end of a tunnel.
I want out of this life.
That’s my wish. Well, that and to have Kenzie there.
As we hit the tunnel, there’s light at the end, just not the kind we’re hoping for. It isn’t sunlight but the red and blue of Colorado’s finest and some unmarked vehicles, waiting for us. This car was hot before we touched it.
Tig is button-lipped after a single “fuck.”
There’s no schmoozing his way out of this one. “No, officer, this isn’t my car, just borrowing it.” That’s not going to work.
I don’t have a death wish. There’s a damn battalion waiting for us, guns drawn and roadblock secure. I also don’t want to ruin a car like this one with road spikes. Tig doesn’t even give me shit for it as I slow down, stopping short of the legion of red and blue.
They separate us, Tig in one cruiser and me in another. Can’t corroborate if we can’t talk, even though Tig’s golden rule is ‘Saint Fugal’, STFUGAL: shut the fuck up and get a lawyer. The cruiser holding Tig goes off first and a few minutes later in cuffs in the back of my own popo limo it’s a short ride, and not to county. We pull off the highway and down a dirt road, out of sight. I should be sweating, worried, especially as they park and open up the back. The cuffs are off and I’m rubbing my wrists.
“Sheriff,” I greet with a nervous grin.
“Bad egg,” Sheriff Briggs returns the welcome with his hand on his gun like he’s willing to use it. “Or, redeemed bad egg, I should say.”
“Let’s say soft boiled,” I compromise. “Kenzie, is she?”
“She’s good. We’ve got eyes on her, and we’re moving in. You did good, Dean. I’m impressed.”
I sigh, peeling off the mask I had to wear to get through this. “I’m just glad you got my text.”
“How did you even get my number?” Colt asks, patting me on the back.
“Kenzie’s phone.” I run a hand through my hair. “I really need to see her, Sheriff. I’ve got some explaining to do.”
“I bet you do. Let’s go get her.”
I’m coming, baby.
And hopefully, you’ll forgive me.
11
Kenzie
Crash! The sound booms from outside the room and I move toward the door. Tig locked me in here when he left. I thought about sending a chair through one of the windows, but those old office chairs are heavy!
I pace the small space. The doorknob turning has me frozen and I look for that stapler to throw at whoever it is.
The door opens and I inhale at the sight, stapler poised.
“Hey.” He holds up his hands in surrender, looking almost relieved to see me.
You’re lucky my aim sucks.
I drop the ridiculous weapon and cross my arms on my chest.
He doesn’t look like he’s been hurt and I’m partially thankful for that, but I’m also pissed, and hurt, and wanting a pound of flesh. And not the kind between his legs.