Page 73 of Ready to Cash Out

“Fine,” Howell grumbled. “Let’s go. Yous bleedin’ all over my damn seats.”

“Shit. Jupiter.” Trev had honestly forgotten Jupiter was hurt. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Jupiter flashed him a quick smile. “Let’s get inside, okay? You can play doctor on me in a minute.”

Trev hurried out of the back seat, pausing to grab the lockbox and Jupiter’s bag. He held them close and took a deep breath, glancing around the parking lot.

He half-expected an entire fleet of black SUVs to come rushing in and try to run him over.

Jupiter tucked the gun under his jacket and jerked his head at Howell. “Let’s go.”

“Sheesh!” Howell scoffed grumpily as he strolled to the door. “Where’s the fuckin’ gratitude, huh? Where’s the fuckin’ thank yous at? Did I get us outta there or what?”

“I’m still not sure you didn’t have something to do with us almost getting caught,” Jupiter challenged as he followed, still scowling.

“What? C’mon!” Howell rolled his eyes and wiggled the keys. “Yous guys really need to learn how to trust somebody. Everythin’ I did was to help! C’mon.”

“Open the damn door already.”

“How ’bout a please?” Howell grinned.

“Now!”

“Fuck, so fuckin’ bossy. Yous really need to work on your people skills.” Howell mumbled a few more curses as he opened the door “There! Happy?”

“Move.” Jupiter pushed Howell inside.

Trev hurried in behind them. He shut the door and locked it.

“What in the actual fuck?” Jupiter scoffed in disgust.

“What?” Trev turned to see why Jupiter was so upset.

The inside of the condo was furnished nicely and clean, but it was impossible to appreciate any of it because there was a man tied to a chair in the middle of the living room. He was gagged with duct tape, but he still shook his head and screamed frantically.

Trev couldn’t make it out, but he was certain it was something to the effect of untie me right fucking now, please.

“What the hell is this?” Jupiter grimaced as he shoved Howell toward the man. “You’re into kidnapping too?”

“Is it really kidnappin’ if it’s his own house?” Howell laughed.

“You really have no room to talk about kidnapping,” Trev muttered to Jupiter.

“Hey, c’mon. He’s fine!” Howell waved at the man. “He’s still alive, ain’t he?”

“Who the fuck is that?” Trev demanded.

“Oh!” Howell laughed. “That’s Howell what’s his name.”

“Huh? That’s Howell Hodges?” Jupiter snapped. “Then who the fuck are you?”

“A friend.” Howell smiled warmly. “Ya’ know, ya’ ain’t been makin’ it easy to help yous.”

“Me? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Not you, stupid. Him.” Howell smirked at Trev.

“The key.” Trev frowned. “You left it? That was you?”

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