Page 43 of Tastes Like Misery

Dane stopped our bickering with one sentence, one I whole-heartedly agreed with, “Then we just won’t get caught.”

“Fine,” I relented as Ollie closed the back of the wagon and held out his hands for the keys. “Are you all going to tell me where you hid the money?”

Ollie grinned and started the car, “In a place where no one will ever find it. I’ll tell you once we get out of this mosquito infested forest. I assume this old piece of shit isn’t so great on this road.” I shook my head as he scratched at his neck, a big red welt where he’d obviously been bitten.

“Buried treasure,” I laughed, sitting beside him and turning the radio on, turning the dial until I found a song I liked. “It’s almost like we’re modern-day pirates.”

He made a noise of agreement, wincing as the station wagon bumped along the rutted path. Pulling out on the back road, he headed for the highway, singing to Sum 41’s Fatlip. He had a wonderful singing voice and soon we had the car rocking with our jumping around to the music, thoughts of getting caught exiting my mind.

Chapter 26

Finn

A week later and I knew Vivian was still pissed at me, but there wasn’t much I could do to change it. If it came down to me or her, I’d sacrifice myself for her. The only thing we couldn’t do was get caught and make it a reality. Already we started planning our exit strategy, but Ollie had to wait to find out what his contacts could do to help. Until then, we’d keep going, hitting the more lucrative targets and avoiding attention at all costs.

The Squire wasn’t too bad, and I was really proud of my woman getting it for such a cheap price. As old as it was, it would be considered a classic by now and catch a pretty penny to some car collectors, though who would want the ugly thing was beyond me. Maybe nostalgia from that vacation movie with the Griswolds and I actually missed it when we bought the new SUV. The wagon was now hidden at an associate’s large vacation property, one she rarely stayed at. She just didn’t know we’d be leaving it there, hidden among the trees.

It would be good to have cars and guns stashed wherever we could along our route. We’d be back this way according to the new plan as we tried to stay steps ahead of the cops. The exit plan would be solid if Ollie had his way. We just needed to keep going. Hell, none of us wanted to stop feeling as if we could conquer the world with every success. Two down and four more to go, and I was excited about the next one, only a few days away.

Unless we changed our minds, as Vivian tried to talk us into during the long ride to this campground of cabins in diamond mining country. I agreed with her idea to take some time off after the next two jobs, wait until the cops gave up, and then start up again.

Vivian was out for some fresh air, having sweet-talked a joint from some shithead at a gas station. We were finally alone and able to speak freely about the text message Ollie received, one that still seemed to bother him. I took the opportunity to ask him about it as he cooked dinner.

“They’ve found out we left Texas. A camera caught the truck at one of the tolls. I can’t believe I fucking forgot about cameras. They’re checking everywhere now. I wouldn’t doubt if they are in this state right now.”

“Fuck,” I ran my hands through my dark hair, pulling at the roots. “This isn’t good. We may need the exit plan or the last resort plan.”

“No. I don’t want anymore emotional shit from her. Viv sets you off and I don’t need you trying to kill me again.”

”I guess you’re right. If she’s pissed at me for agreeing to take the fall, I don’t think she’ll react well to the rest of the plan. You know she’ll pick it apart and make you change it.”

“I’m not changing it. Hell, I don’t even know if it will work.”

“It will,” I insisted, trying to reassure both of us. “It has to. But if I don’t make it out, take care of her.”

His knuckles whitened as he gripped the knife harder, “You’re asking the wrong guy. I didn’t even want her here. That fucker is responsible.”

I glanced at Dane, his jaw ticking as he stared straight ahead. Silent like usual when he was pissed, but his body language told me all I needed to know. He couldn’t choose and was pissed at the idea of being forced to.

“Oliver Thornton, you may not have wanted her then, but I know damn well you love her. She’s the only person you’ve ever loved in your life,” I gritted out through my teeth.

“No, asshole. You and Dane are like brothers to me. I can get pussy anywhere.” His words would have hurt Vivian, but I knew damn well he didn’t mean it. The fucker acted out because things weren’t going to plan. If it wasn’t in his control, he raged.

Assuming he felt part of the blame was on her picture being broadcast, I reminded him, “She’s damn good at heists and so are you. We aren’t going to worry about being caught. We’ll get out before that happens.”

“I’ll make calls when I’m done. Just keep her occupied. I don’t need the added pressure when I’m trying to plan.”

Agreeing, I leaned against the half wall and stared at Dane until he finally looked at me, every part of his body tense. “Man, you need to relax. It was a worst-case scenario plan.”

“I’m getting her a diamond ring. Whatever happens, I want her to always know I would’ve married her.”

“Pussy,” I rolled my eyes. Really, it just angered me when he thought of it first.

As if on cue, the temptress walked in and stripped her clothes off, reeking of weed. Her eyes were red and half closed, and I laughed at her, “You’re stoned.”

Holding up her fingers in the universal sign of small, she tried to whisper, but it came out loud, “Just a little. I’m so damn hungry. Where’s my sexy chef with my food?”

The knife came down harder than necessary on the chopping board before the sizzle of the pan could be heard. “It’s coming up, princess,” his voice was hard, something she missed as she sauntered over to him and plucked a potato from the bowl.

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