Page 76 of Along for the Ride

“David Berkowitz,” Karson says as he turns in at a cheap motel. “When he got caught, he told the cops a dog named Sam orchestrated the whole thing and dictated who he should kill.”

“Yeah,” I say, genuinely confused. “How did you know that?”

Gentry shakes his head. “He loves watching true-crime shit.”

Odd, but okay. “So can we call him Sam?”

“Is that what you want, wanderer?”

I nod my head and smile.

“Then his name is Sam,” Gentry says with a sigh.

“Jesus fucking Christ on a cross. You two make me sick,” Karson says as he exits the SUV.

Karson goes inside to get a room so we can nap until nightfall. We’re all exhausted and need some sleep before we head on. Driving and killing and fucking for almost twenty-four hours straight will do that to a person. The place isn’t the nicest, but I couldn’t care less. I just want to lie down. We sneak the dog to our room and pile onto the bed. I close my eyes and begin to doze.

“Have we thought this through?” Karson’s voice breaks through my pre-sleep haze, but I keep my eyes shut and listen.

“We kind of committed to this. And besides, we need the money. Remember, it all stops for us after this hit. At least for a while.”

“Yeah, but this is a risky final target, G. I don’t exactly like the idea of taking down Ralph Weeks right after we—”

My eyes snap open. “Ralph Weeks? The actor?”

Gentry waves me off. “Don’t get excited. You know what happens when we pay people a visit. But if you’re a really good girl, before we slit his throat, we’ll get you an autograph.”

“In blood,” Karson adds.

“He just finished that movie,The Glass,” I say. “He’s really hot right now and should have tons of money. Why would he stop paying George?”

Karson looks at me and shrugs. “Rich people do stupid shit. Think they’re untouchable. We’re about to prove just how touchable they are.”

This seems so much worse than the other hits. I don’tknowthe guy, but I knowofthe guy. It’s not just some nameless person or shitbag human being.

“What’d he do?” I ask, hoping he’s done something to deserve whatever these guys have in store for him.

“He’s a goddamn junkie, for starters,” Gentry says as he looks at the ceiling. “He got a bunch of drugs on credit, and now he doesn’t want to pay.” He shifts and looks down at me. “Will you be okay with this?”

I tighten my lips. No. I won’t be. I know what it’s like to need drugs so desperately that you’ll go through hell to get them. My habit forced these men to take care of me when I was at my lowest, and I find it unfair that the same habit will cost someone else their life at their hands.

I rub the hem of my shirt between my fingers, locked in a prison of guilt they don’t share. It’s isolating to be the only one with normal human feelings. I drop my gaze and focus on the soft fabric.

“Wanderer?” Gentry says. “Will you be okay?”

I shake my head. “If I asked you to skip this hit, would you listen?”

Karson chuckles, and it makes me want to backhand him. Gentry’s lips tighten. He looks torn between what he wants to say and what he thinks he should say.

“I guess if—”

Karson’s voice hardens. “Speak for yourself. You’d let her stop a hit like this, knowing we have no job afterward? I’ll do this hit with or without you, G.” His eyes meet mine. “I like you, thief. More than I care to admit. But you’re wrong for putting your guilt on us. We’re felons, remember? We can’t put our skill set on a resume. This is the life we’ve chosen since we were kids. Violence has always been the only thing we’re qualified for.”

Gentry narrows his eyes at Karson. “What Karson means, I think, is that if you want this life with us, you have to accept certain things. I can’t provide for you without money from this hit.”

“And the goddamn dog, G! Don’t forget that.” Karson shakes his head. “And no, I meant that she can’t be a little bitch about what we’ve already been doing.”

“Enough, Karson!” Gentry snaps.

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