Page 24 of Broken Promises

“Stefano is a cocky, arrogant prick, but he’s not completely stupid. He’s well aware of Beckett’s position in the Psychos and her connections. He’s unlikely to use her to get to Zav, it’s too risky,” he said confidently. “The Night Thieves are big, but they don’t look like it from the outside. They might be underestimated, which is a good advantage. If they go after the Thieves, it’s likely the crews will step in as backup. Stefano won’t see that coming.”

“Where are we going today?” I asked again, shoveling more food into my mouth.

“Pine Valley.”

“What for?”

“I want my car,” he grinned, draining his coffee and making me realize he’d finished his food.

He excused himself and gave me a few moments alone to eat, and by the time I was finished and putting my shoes on, he reappeared freshly showered.

“Does anyone else know you’re back?” I asked as he led me into the garage through the internal access door, and he shook his head. “Nope, but they’re about to. The Supra will give me away fast. I give it five seconds of passing a camera before the Thieves and Donovans know.”

“You want them to know?”

“Now is as good as any other time,” he chuckled, opening the passenger door for me. “Ladies first.”

I rolled my eyes and climbed in, buckling up as he shut the door and moved to the driver’s side, sliding behind the wheel. He lit a cigarette and tossed the pack onto my lap to let me help myself, and I wasn’t going to say no.

Within minutes, we were driving along the road with the windows down, enjoying the warm morning breeze, and I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I smoked.

“You broke him, you know?” I said after a while, tossing my cigarette butt out the window.

He knew exactly who I was talking about because he winced. “I know.”

“He deserved a proper goodbye.”

“I couldn’t.”

“Why not?” I snorted, glaring at him. “He’s meant to be one of your best friends, and you just vanished.”

“If I’d told him I was leaving and he asked me to stay, I would have. That’s why I just left,” he replied in a low voice, regret on his face. “I love Zav like a brother. I didn’t want to go, I just had to. Guess it didn’t keep everyone safe like I thought though.”

We fell back into silence for the rest of the trip, my eyes scanning our surroundings as he pulled off the main road and along a dirt road into Pine Valley. It was spooky, if you asked me, as well as peaceful. It was all trees and dirt roads, not a lot of surveillance, and word on the street was that a lot of bodies ended up here because it was so easy to hide them.

I sat up straighter when Ander turned off onto a driveway, making me frown. “You have a place up here?”

“No,” he said without explanation, parking near a massive warehouse and climbing out. I followed, my steps slowing as the massive roller door opened, surprise filling me as Riley Donovan came into view. She stepped out, her hood up and her baseball bat in hand as she eyed Ander, seeming to decide he wasn’t a threat when she relaxed slightly.

“Seriously, Turbo? The goddamn mafia? You’re lucky I didn’t set the Supra on fucking fire.”

“Missed you too, Donovan,” he smirked, ignoring her dirty look as he gave her a hug.

“Ugh, you’re such a fucking asshole. I never would’ve stashed this for you if I’d have known what you were running from. If they’d come looking for it?—”

“Your scary mommy would’ve kept you safe,” he deadpanned, stepping back and holding his hand out. “Keys.”

“Say please.”

“Please, Daddy,” he said flatly, making her grin as she handed them over.

“See? That wasn’t hard.” She turned her attention to me, seeming just as surprised to see me as I was of her. “You kidnapped Raven? Dude, you’re so dead.”

“I didn’t kidnap her.”

“Uh, you kind of did,” I stated as I followed them into the warehouse, seeing Ander’s black Supra parked in the back corner.

“You packed a bag and came willingly,” he threw back.

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