Page 52 of Kill Me Sweetly

“True, it’s just a lot of money to throw away.” Nick had been able to get me and Mason on the list, but we’d had to front the hundred thousand and there weren’t refunds for things like this.

“It would be, but maybe we can find a new reason that going to that charity would benefit us.”

I smirked at the devious glimmer in Mason’s eye. “And what reason would that be?”

He chuckled. “If they do know who we are, how frustrating would it be for them if we waltzed right in?”

Laughing, I lightly tapped Mason’s arm. “This is why we’re friends.”

He reached over and squeezed my hand. “This is why we’re brothers.”

Even though we weren’t related by blood, that didn’t matter to Mason and me. He was my brother in every way that mattered, and I loved him.

As we drove to the safe house, I thought about this family we’d built. I’d die for every single one of them, and I believed they would do the same for me. And without question, without remorse, I’d kill for each and every one of them to be able to live.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SHEP

Our plan toget to the safe house wasn’t the best, but we’d make it work. As we exited the diner after JJ let us know they’d arrived and were settling in, we surveyed the area.

“See anything?” Angel asked as we scrutinized any and every car and truck in our line of sight.

“No.”

The diner was off a main road, and there weren’t any streets nearby. I’d felt like we’d have seen someone if they were following us.

“Let’s get in the car and drive for a while, keep an eye out for anyone getting close.” Gabe hit the fob and we all got in.

“The safe house is in the opposite direction of our home.” Noel was watching the rear window. “It’ll take a while, so if you see anything suspicious, tell me and Nick. We can maybe get the license plate and search it. Might find something.”

We drove for an hour, and nothing was popping out at us. I even looked to the sky to see if there was a helicopter or drone, anything.

“None of this makes sense,” Nick said at the exact moment Gabe shouted, “There, Lincoln Navigator, three cars behind us. When Angel turned, it followed—that’s the fourth time.”

Nick and Noel were already on it. Gabe kept his eyes on the SUV while I searched the rest of the area; they might have more than one vehicle following us.

“Start taking more desolate side roads, Angel. That way we can thin out these cars until it’s just them.” Noel was aiming his cell phone at the SUV, probably trying to copy the plate number.

“Desolate roads?” Angel huffed. “You say that like I know this fucking area.”

“I got you.” Nick pulled up Map App and began searching the area. “Where are we exactly? Give me an address.”

A post office was coming up, and fortunately the address was on the building. “17 Broad Street, and we’re in the town of Cremley.” Good thing phones told you the towns you were in.

“Okay, the third street on your left—take it. It leads to a residential road; go there first.”

Angel listened to Nick and a second after he turned, he slowed down but nothing happened. No SUV.

“Keep going,” I said. “They’re going to be cautious.”

“Next road, make a right.” Nick pointed and Angel followed. “Reverse into that spot there.”

He did and we sat in silence. Waiting for what, I didn’t know, but within two minutes we found out why.

“There,” Gabe growled.

Sure enough, the Navigator drove past us; then a minute later, they did it again. They hadn’t wanted to follow too closely but in not doing so, they’d lost us completely.

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