Page 44 of Ready to Cash Out

Who would have left him a key?

Sal? Emil? That creep, Howell?

And why would anyone risk something so sloppy?

If the key was meant for him, which Trev had to assume it was, there was no way for his generous benefactor to know that he’d be the next one in the bathroom to find it. Jupiter or Sal or anyone else could have found it first.

Still…

It might be the key to the padlock on his collar—wait, no. That couldn’t be right. Jupiter had the keys because he’d unlocked Trev’s collar to let him come to the bathroom.

So, what was this for?

Jupiter banged on the door.

“Wait a fucking second!” Trev barked.

“Hurry up!” Jupiter shouted back.

Trev shoved the key in his pocket. He’d figure it out later. He checked himself in the mirror to make sure he looked as flawless as possible and then opened the bathroom door. He cocked his hip. “What? Pancake syrup runs right through me. I needed a second.”

“Come on.” Jupiter held out his hand.

Trev frowned, but he took it.

Jupiter led him toward the side door exit.

“Not going back to our honeymoon suite?” Trev asked, the key burning a hole in his pocket.

“No. No time,” Jupiter replied briskly.

“Hey! Fuck you!” Trev dug his heels in. “My lockbox! I’m not leaving without it! You are gonna?—”

“Already in the car, baby doll.” Jupiter glanced back at him. “I knew you’d ask, so I went ahead and got one of the guys to grab it.”

“Thanks.” Trev still looked into the room as they walked past to make sure the lockbox was really gone. He also noticed that the chain and collar remained.

If the key did go to the padlock, it was useless now.

There were two men in dark suits waiting outside next to—of course—another black SUV. Jupiter opened the rear passenger door for Trev, ushering him inside.

Trev climbed in, relieved when he saw his lockbox on the floorboard. He grabbed it to put in his lap and then reached over to try the other door.

Locked.

Jupiter snorted as he sat beside Trev. “A for effort.”

“Didn’t want you to think I was getting used to you or anything,” Trev grumbled.

The suited men took the front seats, and the one behind the wheel said, “There’s been a change of plans.”

“Excuse me?” Jupiter scowled.

“We’re headed back to the nest,” he said as he drove them to the highway.

“Nest?” Trev raised his brow. “Are we fuckin’ birds now?”

Jupiter ignored him, asking the driver, “Why?”

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