Page 68 of Ready to Cash Out

Trev whirled around.

Shit.

It was Howell.

Chapter

Ten

“What the fuck do you want?” Jupiter snapped.

“Just tryin’ t’help.” Howell held up his hands. “Yous should know they’re checking every vehicle that goes in or outta here.” He snorted. “They’re definitely gonna notice yous trying to sneak out ya’ lil’ friend there. Everybody is on high alert tonight for this lil’ shindig.”

“How do you know that?” Trev demanded.

“’Cause duh. Emil personally told me to keep an eye out, and I quote, for anythin’ lookin’ suspicious.” Howell gestured to them. “And yous two are lookin’ mighty suspicious.”

“How about you just pretend you didn’t see us?” Trev tried, offering him a sweet smile.

If Howell really did have a crush on him, maybe he could use that to his advantage.

Trev advanced until he could slide his hand up Howell’s shirt and give his tie a playful tug. He pouted his lips and gave Howell his most sultry purr. “Come on, baby. All you have to do is look the other way, okay?”

Howell grinned, but then he shook his head frantically. “Shit! No! Trust me, yous are a very temptin’ slice of cake, but I’m workin’ here, babe. The best thing to do is both of yous?—”

“No,” Jupiter said firmly. “You’re our new ticket out of here.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Jupiter drew his gun.

Howell did not appear distressed. He gave a slight shake of his head, but Trev wasn’t sure why. “Listen to me very, very carefully. If yous get in that car right now, you’re not gonna make it outta here.”

Trev thought back to the key and the clothes Howell had brought him. Going with his gut, he demanded, “Okay, so what do we do? You want to help us, right?”

“I wanna help you,” Howell corrected.

“Help me then,” Trev pleaded earnestly. “How the fuck do I get out of here right now, huh?”

“If you’d just wait a fuckin’ minute?—”

“No,” Jupiter snapped. “We’re leaving right now.” He grabbed Howell’s neck, slamming the gun up against the side of his head. “Let’s go.” Without looking at Trev, he tossed him the car keys. “Here.”

“Shit! Okay!” Trev scrambled to catch them.

Howell groaned in annoyance. “Oh my fuckin’ God, you stupid fucks! Are you?—”

Jupiter cracked the butt of his gun against Howell’s head again. “Shut up! Get in the fucking car.”

A small trickle of blood dripped down Howell’s forehead, and he smiled. “Yous are gonna fuckin’ regret that.”

“Later.” Jupiter kept the gun on Howell and forced him into the front passenger seat.

Trev got in behind the wheel and cranked the engine, his fingers trembling from the rush of adrenaline. He waited for Jupiter to climb into the back and get situated, noting that he kept the gun pointed at Howell. “Okay. Okay, now what?”

“Drive,” Jupiter said firmly. “Head for the gate.”

“What if the guards won’t let us through?”

---