Page 25 of Love in Overdrive

Chapter 9

Where the fuck was Carl? How could he be related to such a moron? Ray Jackson watched over his shoulder for any sign of cops. So far, so good.

This was supposed to be an easy job. It wasn’t their first. And if Ray had anything to say about it, it wouldn’t be his last. But it would be Carl’s. The guy had one job. Have the car outside the bank when Ray came out. Fucking nitwit. They wouldn’t even have been in this godforsaken little town if Carl hadn’t met some slut at a truck stop last week.

Outwardly, he exuded control, but inside, he was losing his shit. He needed to get far enough away, then ditch the car. First, he had to get rid of Loverboy and Blondie.

He didn’t have time to deal with them. Sure as shit, he didn’t want to deal with bodies.

He let his gaze run up and down the curvy blonde in the front seat. Too bad he was on a schedule. He’d like to spend a little time with her.

Feeling the guy’s glare on him through the rearview mirror, Ray smirked at him. Oh, yeah. I’d take her in ways you can’t even imagine.

But not today. Right now, he needed them to chauffeur him around like a good little boy and girl. And if they didn’t… he’d do whatever it took.

Cade’s luck had turned to shit. When his father asked him to make the deposit, Cade thought it was a step in the right direction. They actually made it all day without having a conversation that involve Eric’s ideas for Cade’s future. Maybe his dad was coming around to having Cade working at the shop, even if it had only been a few days.

Then a parking spot opened up in front of the bank. Score.

Cade cranked up the tunes and let the last notes of his favorite song fill the car.

But the real stroke of luck was when the woman who had taken up permanent residence in his mind stumbled into his vehicle.

His luck was freakin’ awesome… for a minute, then… Shit.

“Turn left.” The guy swung the gun back in Cade’s direction.

Cade controlled his breathing. Something he learned to do in sniper training. He scanned every vehicle as he drove, praying he’d see a cop. He turned on his lights with his blinker. He could signal a police officer by flashing his brights.

Where was a cop when he needed one? They were probably all at the bank. Gray Duck Grove wasn’t that big. He’d bet they only had two or three officers on duty.

“We don’t want any trouble. Can I drop you off somewhere?” Cade needed to get this guy out of his car, and soon.

Cold steel jammed against his neck. “Eyes straight ahead. You too, sweetheart,” he said in a gravelly voice.

“Let her go. I will drive you wherever you want.” Cade had a better chance of taking the guy if he was alone. And if not? At least Laney would be safe.

“Shut up, and hand over your phones. Nice and easy.”

Laney held up her phone. The guy snatched it. “You too.”

Slow and steady, Cade retrieved his from his pocket. He pushed the emergency button before holding it up. The asshole grabbed it without lifting the gun from his neck. A second later, a cold breeze rushed through the vehicle, and Cade watched in the side mirror as their phones bounced off the pavement. Fuck!

“Drive west out of town and don’t stop until I tell you.”

Cade took the county road west. A mile out of town, a train horn sounded, signaling the approach of the locomotive. This was his chance. Cade would stop for the train, and with any luck, the police would catch up with them.

Cade lifted his foot, letting the speed drop. The cool metal of the handgun dug deeper into his neck.

“Floor it. We are making it across before that train.” The gunman’s hand stayed steady, but his glare darted from Cade to the road.

Cade observed the guy in the mirror. The gunman was distracted. If he eased up a little, Cade might have a chance.

Laney made a small sob sound. Cade barely heard it over the blare of the locomotive horn.

Fuck. No way he could chance it with her in the car. He tipped into the accelerator. The car bumped over the tracks, clearing by mere inches.

Cade sped down the empty road, praying he hadn’t just blown their only chance to get away.