Page 115 of End It All

"Baby—"

"Quincy, whatever you're doing, don't be a goddamn idiot."

"I won't. I can't wait to be back home with you."

Blake's sigh was soothing to hear. I relaxed more in the back of the cab. "Yeah, me too. Hurry up already."

"Aww, you need me attached to you, huh?"

"No, I need to get you a tracker. Maybe I'll get you a necklace with one in it."

My heart skipped a beat and I literally fell for him even harder. "Fuck, I'm madly in love with you."

"What—Quincy. I?—"

The cab driver was slowing down, and I noticed we were close to where I needed to get out.

"Hey, peaches, I'll call you back soon. I need to go."

"Okay, we will be talking when you come home."

"As long as your dick's inside of me, baby, you can say whatever you need to."

Blake grunted as we hung up the phone, and I paid the cab driver. I got out and headed over to the small, single story home. It was a soft blue with red shingles on the roof. The short palm tree in the front yard was more brown than green. The front door opened and Danny, an older man, stepped out. He wore a plain white shirt and sweats like he hadn't left his place in weeks. He squinted, shielding his eyes from the blaring sun.

His smile stretched over his face. "Quincy, long time no see."

I shook his offered hand before making my way up the path and into his home. "Not long enough. What are you doing out here now?"

The interior matched the outside; soft colors adorned with deep browns and soft reds. He shrugged, the gray in his hair had spread a bit more and overtaken the pepper. He gestured to the couch and I shook my head. Danny moved around his place, taking up the cigarette he'd left in the ashtray before retrieving me. "Living. Doing what I can."

I nodded, knowing when not to pry. "Remember that favor you owe me?"

Danny nodded. "Yeah. It's been ten years and you're just now coming to me?" He scratched at the scruff on his face. “I’ve been hearing about you in New York. Tough luck with those bosses of yours. Was certain you’d ask for a way out a hell of a lot sooner.”

Originally, that had been my plan. If shit got to the point I couldn't handle my own anymore, I’d disappear. "What can I say? I didn't have anything worth asking for."

"Shoot. What do you need?"

"Someone to take the wrap for a bank robbery," I said.

Danny didn't blink at my request. "Was it by force? How many people were involved?"

"No, he was in and out. And only one. There’s a guard that will probably need to be paid off as well.”

He whistled. "Damn, I think I know which job you're referring to. The guy had balls and his wits about him. Still hasn’t been caught. Cops have been trying everything to crack down on him."

The corner of my mouth tugged up in a smile. Yeah, that was my baby girl. He was fucking badass. "Can it be done?"

"Yeah, but you sure you want to use your favor for this? Something like this could easily run you only fifty grand."

I shook my head. "Money isn't the issue. I need this done right, Danny." No amount of cash could replace a man's life debt to you.

Danny's empty gaze stared at me for a long while before he nodded. "I got a guy whose family needs to be taken care of. He doesn't have any priors. He’ll get five years max and probably be let out early for good behavior."

"He can't talk."

"Don't worry. He's seen what happens first hand when someone goes back on a deal."

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