Page 63 of Stray Cat

“What do you want me to do?” Xav asked as though unworried. “Tell Diego we were duped and to send AC back to jail? Give me a phone, and I’ll make the call.” He stretched out a hand.

Dean scowled. “What I want is my brother dead and out of my life. You’re going to help me make that happen, Escobar. Your girlfriend here can be my leverage over you. If I like what you do, I’ll send you two off to Tahiti or somewhere you can have a great long vacation. If I don’t …” Dean gestured to the thug on his right. “Your girlfriend is shot and killed while you watch.”

“That’s not fair,” Lindsay said at once. “I can help you as much as Xav can.”

Dean’s eyebrows rose, his sourness falling away. “Ooh, she’s ballsy. Don’t worry, sweetheart. If you’re right, I’ll give you a job. No matter what, though—if either of you disobeys me, the other is dead.”

Lindsay instantly became contrite. “Can I at least call my mom? She’ll be worried sick. I’ll tell her I’m all right, and that’s it. Promise.” She made her voice grow thick with tears.

“Sorry, babe. No phone calls. When you’re on your way to Tahiti, then you can call home.”

Lindsay scrunched up her face, as though preventing herself from crying. “Can I at least go to the bathroom? I really have to pee.” She unfolded herself, letting her lithe movements distract the standing thugs.

Dean jerked his chin at one of his henchmen. “Take her. Stand outside the door, but break it down if she stays in there too long.” He frowned at Lindsay, unimpressed with her beauty. “Don’t do anything cute, or your lover gets it in the back of the head.”

Lindsay flinched and nodded, as though frightened.

The henchman led her out, Lindsay brushing past Xav, who remained in place.

Xav laid a hand on her shoulder as she passed. “Stay strong, baby,” he said in a low voice.

Lindsay leaned into his touch, as though she couldn’t help herself, then gave him a wan smile and let the goon herd her out.

Xav had no idea what she was planning, but he steeled himself for whatever it might be.

Dean turned to Xav once Lindsay was gone. He hadn’t left his seat, comfortable in his authority.

“Nice lady you found,” he said. “Again, respect.”

Xav had no intention of discussing Lindsay’s finer points with him. “Tahiti, my ass,” he said easily. “When you’re done with us, you’ll dump our bodies into one of those convenient hidden mine shafts.”

Dean shrugged, unconcerned. “We’ll see.”

“You’ll have to get hold of another helicopter if you want to do that. The one you left in Death Valley is toast.”

“Yeah, our pilot said there was a defect in the electrical system or something. That was scary shit, riding it down, but we made it. He’s busy negotiating for another copter.” A smile touched Dean’s mouth at Xav’s surprised expression. “Did you think I’d kill him for crashing our ride? It wasn’t his fault, and it’s hard to find a dependable pilot.”

Jeff almost hadn’t made it, Xav reminded himself. Dean had left a broken man behind to die.

“That’s true,” Xav agreed, keeping his anger under control. “I know a pilot who refuses to work for anyone but himself. I’ve offered him permanent employment, but he prefers to freelance. Likes his space.”

“Pilots are their own breed.” Dean’s eyes narrowed. “You’re smart, Escobar. Capable. I could use you in my organization.”

“We’ll see.” Xav shrugged, mimicking Dean’s words. “Is that why you brought me here? To offer me a job?”

“No.” Dean’s lips twitched. “I told you, you’re going to bring my brother in. And then you’re going to execute him for me.”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Lindsay remained docile as the henchman walked her to a pair of doors not far from the office and gestured to the one markedLadies.

“Don’t lock it behind you,” he commanded. “You have five minutes, and then I’m coming in.”

“There are some businesses that can’t be rushed,” Lindsay told him with a smile. “But don’t worry. I don’t want your big boss in there to hurt my guy.”

“Wise.” The man opened the door. It was a regular door, not a push open, like in a public restroom, and the doorknob had a lock. Beyond was a single room with no windows that held a toilet, a sink, and a shelf with a mirror so its occupant could primp before returning to work.

Lindsay scuttled inside without thanking him—why should she?—and pointedly waited for him to close the door.

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