Page 135 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
The look of relief on Bruce’s face spoke volumes. “Hey, Kris.”
The woman pushed off the bed and flew directly into Bruce’s waiting arms. “You’re so stupid. So, so stupid,” she blubbered. “Both of you. You are both so unforgivably stupid.”
Bruce buried his face in Kristina’s hair, his hug lingering long enough to solidify the fact that this was more than a simple friendship. After a second or two, Michael’s sister saw her in his arms and released Bruce.
“This is her?” she asked, adjusting her glasses as she peered at Jamison’s slack face. “Well, now what?”
“I have it under control.”
Jamison didn’t care for Michael’s tone, and neither did his sister. “And just how do you have it under control?” Kris asked through gritted teeth. “Because what’s happening here is anything butunder control.”
“Trust me.” Michael grinned, looking almost human instead of the monster that he actually was. “Go back inside and lock the door. Bruce will be in soon to talk.”
With one final glare at her brother, Kris returned to the room while the men waited for her to close and lock the door. “What exactly do you want to talk about with Kris?” Bruce whispered. “There’s nothing to discuss. She and Colton are getting out of here.”
“Yeah, but I need you to prepare her a little more,” Michael whispered in return. “Taylor knows how valuable Kris is, and that if we truly wanted this all to work, I wouldn’t allow her to vanish. We’ve come this far. I can’t trip things up now.”
“So, what do you suggest?” Bruce all but growled. “I don’t want them here, Mike.”
Michael went quiet, and the dark-haired woman moved closer. Threading her fingers through the hair on the nape of his neck, she whispered in his ear, and the longer she spoke, the more Michael regained focus. “I have an idea. God knows we’ve laid enough breadcrumbs for the fucker. Get Kris back out here.”
Bruce knocked on the door again, and this time, Kris opened it. “I need you to track lover boy’s phone,” Michael said, lifting Jamison higher. “Taylor arranged a van decoy, but I guarantee you that smart bastard didn’t fall for it.”
Kris disappeared into the small bedroom, returning with a tablet in hand. “Mississippi.”
“North or south?”
“North.”
“Just as I thought. He’s coming to us,” Michael said, sounding pleased. “I’m guessing it’ll be Parker taking Taylor to see her dad since she refuses to drive that far alone.”
Bruce shrugged. “That would make sense.”
“Whatever car Taylor takes, we need to be able to track it. She’s known to shut off her location, and if she’s meeting with Bryan, he could have a block that’ll wipe any cell transmission. The main point is, I want to know when she’s headed back here.”
“What the hell does that have to do with William Cohen?” Kris asked. “Damn it, I told you we should never have gone up against these people, Mike. You should have ended this monthsag—”
“I want you to track Cohen and give the coordinates to Bruce,” Michael cut her off with a whisper. “When he takes the car Taylor is driving out to get gas—”
“Why the hell would I do that?” Bruce interrupted.
“Because you’re a good little soldier doing something nice,” Michael replied. “While you have access to the car, you can set a tracker on itandmagically appear in front of Cohen, who will then follow you all the way here. Boom. Two birds. One stone.”
Bruce and Kris gaped at him, and Jamison used all her energy to thump Michael’s chest. She didn’t want Liam here. Zanmi would kill him on sight. She understood her purpose, but Liam was a liability the group wouldn’t risk, and he would be murdered outright if he came anywhere near the house.
“Why on earth would you want that man here?” Kris asked, echoing Jamison’s thoughts. “And don’t tell me to trust you. I do trust you. I trust both of you, but you have to tell me what is happening.”
Michael adjusted his grip. “William Cohen is your ticket out of here without attracting attention. He won’t wait for anyone. Not where Jamison Fairweather is concerned. He’ll march in here alone. I know I would.”
“So?” Kris hissed. “He’ll come here alone, and he’ll die here alone.”
“That’s not the point.” Bruce grinned with a nod. “He’ll have a car. An unmarked one. I watched as we sped off. That fucker yanked an old woman out of her Honda to chase after us.”
Kris rolled her eyes. “There are a dozen cars and vans here already. Why take his?”
“Those cars would be noticed if one went missing and if someone realizes I’ve rescued you, but then let you run off without helping their cause first?” Michael shrugged. “These people are stupid, but not that stupid, Kris.”
“It’ll work.” Bruce wrapped an arm around the woman, staring down at her with genuine affection. “I’ll make it work.”
