Page 6 of Diamond in the Rough

His words trailed off, and he released a long-suffering groan as he clutched himself harder. Rachel backed away fast and used the counter as a barrier between herself and Carl’s bowels.

“Certain,” Sam said, shooing them out. “Leave. Now.”

Carl nodded and pushed through the glass door. Jake waited a bit, then followed. As soon as they rounded the corner, Carl tipped his head back and burst out laughing.

“What the hell was that?” Jake asked.

Carl’s laugh turned into a pleased sigh. “He’s a good boss, Sam. I didn’t know whether he’d let us go, but he couldn’t get rid of us quick enough.”

“When you threaten to shit on the floor, it kinda has that effect on people.”

Carl tilted his head side to side. “Not everyone.”

Jake shuddered. “So you gonna tell me what that was about?”

“I got a call from the Boss.”

The air caught in Jake’s chest, and he couldn’t speak. Carl frowned, then added, “The other Boss, my Boss, your…master.”

“He’s out?”

“They took him all the way up to the final hour but had to let him go.”

“W-What did he say?”

Carl tugged his keys out of his pocket. “He wants to see you.”

The odd frown on his face unnerved Jake, and he rushed to follow Carl to his car.

Jake glared at the passenger door. “Am I allowed to sit in the front, or you gonna make me get in the trunk again?”

Carl wagged his finger. “I told you, it was necessary.”

“And getting me to put the blond wig on first?”

“Vital.”

“And what about when you left me locked in the dark while you had a burger at that diner?”

“All part of the plan.”

Jake narrowed his eyes and tugged the door handle. He climbed inside, then drummed his fingers on his knees as he waited for Carl to get in.

Carl shuffled into his seat and sighed. “Just thinking about that burger’s got me hungry.”

“Forget the burger. What did Maddox say exactly?”

Carl slotted the key into the ignition, then paused. The odd expression descended on his features again. “He said he needed me to bring you to him.”

“Needed?”

“Yeah.”

“And how did he sound when he said it?”

Carl’s brow creased. “Honestly? Not himself.”

Jake swallowed hard and shivered, then dropped his gaze to the footwell. He couldn’t stop the nervous bouncing of his leg. He looked at his palms and grimaced at the slight sheen.

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