Page 227 of Moon's Promise

That was when the wives started filing in, each of them taking a cart to unload and unwrap with the packages. Armed with box cutters, they laid the opened contents next to the packages as Rolo unloaded the last cart.

The three men in the security room left Rolo and Doom to oversee the garage while they continued watching the monitors for the men who had loaded the carts.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what the motherfuckers have been doing.” Moon stole another mint, waiting for one of the wives to find something that had no business being there. “Who do you think will be the lucky lady?” Moon scanned the women, settling on his bet. “I bet Diamond finds it. You see how fast she’s opening those packages?” He whistled admirably. “I bet a grand on her.”

“Is there anything you won’t bet on?” Viper tiredly rubbed his eyes.

“Nope. It makes life interesting. Rider, you going to bet on Jo?”

“No. I’ll take Killyama. That bitch is lethal with that box cutter.”

Rider switched the screens to show the outside cameras as the men walked out with the rest of the employees leaving.

“You in, Viper?” His hand went out to swipe another mint, but Viper forestalled him by taking the last one.

“Put me down for Diamond. She’s going so fast because she wants to go home.”

Knox had offered Diamond’s help, which Viper had initially refused until Knox told him he wanted the excuse to get Diamond out of the house. Since her attack by a deranged client, she had grown reclusive, only coming out of her withdrawn shell when Knox would take her and their children to their private island, which she and Knox had purchased when she had become convinced a zombie apocalypse was in the near future.

The bets settled, they all tensely waited for the results of their search while keeping their eyes pinpointed on Charlie and Gundy.

Gundy got into his truck and drove away while Charlie walked to his compact car. Neither of the employees had spoken since leaving the factory.

“I be a motherfucker,” Viper swore as they watched Saffron call out something to Charlie.

With a casual wave, he motioned to his car, and Saffron got off the motorcycle and headed to the passenger side of the car, getting inside while Charlie got in the driver’s side.

“She asked him for a ride to town,” Moon filled them in at what he was positive Saffron had said to Charlie.

“Train and Jesus,” Rider spoke into the mic, “stay where you are. Cash, Nickel, you follow Charlie’s car. Report when Saffron and Charlie get where they’re going.”

Moon watched the monitor until Charlie’s taillights disappeared from view. “What did I tell you?” Gloating, he linked his hands together to pop his knuckles. “Double or nothing, she’s the one who pulled Pace’s plug.”

Viper shoved his chair back from the desk. “Poor fucker always did have a hard-on for a good pair of tits. You got this, Rider?”

“Yes,” Rider answered, despite remaining focused on the reports coming in from Shade.

“You ready, Moon?”

Moon was already getting up from the chair before Viper could finish his question.

“You think she’s going to pay him off for the drop?” Viper asked as they hurried out of the security room. The women were still working at unwrapping the packages as he and Viper hurried to the open garage door.

They had just walked through the door when Viper’s name was called out. Rushing back inside, they saw all the women and Rolo had gathered around Winter. Willa and Beth moved to the side, allowing them to see what everyone else was staring at while Winter unwrapped another package.

“Damn.” Moon blinked then started laughing. “That, I did not expect.” Crouching down, he picked up two neatly packed bundles of cash.

“Real or counterfeit?” Viper snarled.

Moon peeled one off to take a closer look.

“Real.” Killyama picked up one of the bundles, flipping through the bills. “Come to Mama.”

Viper gave her a speaking glance. “Let’s go, Moon. Rolo, have them finish opening the packages then put the cash in the security office. Ladies, thank you for your help.”

“No thanks are necessary,” Killyama told him magnanimously, separating the bundle of cash to tuck the two halves down her bra.

Keeping a straight face, Moon hastily left with Viper, who knew getting the money back was a lost cause.

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