Page 69 of Love in Overdrive

She didn’t need supersonic hearing to know their friends were talking about them as she and Cade walked away from the table.

Well, let them.

She stared straight ahead. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of looking back. Halfway to the door, a tingle snaked up her neck. She flinched.

The urge to rub the feeling away gripped her. Her friends’ attentions never brought this type of reaction before. Was someone else watching?

She scanned the bar. Nothing out of the norm, except… she caught a guy out of the corner of her eye. The stranger slumped over his drink, hood up and head down.

Ever since the carjacking, Laney’s heart kicked into overdrive at every shadow. She pushed off the strange vibe and kept walking.

Cade’s warm hand rested on the small of her back. She glanced over her shoulder. His presence melted the last of her insecurities, and she relaxed into his side.

He ushered her through the door. The juxtaposition between the cool night air and his warm body slapped her mind back to the man beside her.

At her car, Cade pulled her in close. “I’m not ready for the night to end.”

“You didn’t have to leave just because I did.”

He hooked a finger under her chin. “I meant I don’t want the night with you to end.”

“Oh.” She slid a hand up his arm and fingered the end of his hair. “They already think you’re coming home with me.”

“I’ve only been in Gray Duck Grove a short time, but I’m willing to bet we are the talk of the town.”

A chuckle slipped from her lips just before they touched his. “Then let’s give them something to talk about.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

If it weren’t for bad luck, Ray Jackson would have no luck at all. He should be miles from this fucking town. And he would be too, if his shit-for-brains brother hadn’t botched the job so bad. He had one job. One. Have the car at the curb when Ray came out of the bank. Nope, Carl got himself busted on a petty charge. He was supposed to be sprung today, but the halfwit lawyer screwed up and now, Ray had to hang out until Monday.

Fuckin’ family.

So, here he sat, drowning his sorrows with a cheap drink. Then bam! Who should walk into the bar? The broad and the shithead driver who stole his take.

At the sight of them, the hairs on Ray’s arms jumped. He slumped in his seat. Out! Now! His stare locked on the door. The last thing he needed was for Blondie and her boy-toy to see him.

They walked right by. Ray exhaled when they didn’t even glance his way. Huh? Well, if the two didn’t see him, he might as well finish his drink… and observe.

With each laugh from the group, Ray’s mood grew darker, matching the bruise on his cheek. The bitch walked away with his money. She would pay.

Ray rubbed his sore ribs. Her hero would too.

He took another drink and started to plot. Like in the animal kingdom, he’d cull the weakest from the herd. Then…

He grinned. He’d take his pay from her… one way or another.

But not yet. First he needed a plan.

Ray’s mother was a sad, little woman, whose only courageous act was walking out on his daddy when Ray and his brother were barely in school. She didn’t care about her boys enough to take them with her.

His mother didn’t teach him much, but one lesson stuck in his brain. She muttered it every time his drunk daddy beat her bloody. All good things started with planning.

So, Ray would plan, starting now. He watched the group in the corner all evening. When Loverboy and Blondie walked out, he retrieved a couple of bills from his wallet, dropped them on the old scraped table, and followed them out.

Ray parked his old Chevy outside of Blondie’s house. The two had just entered. The slit in the curtains gave him a glimpse of the two who ruined his heist. Looked like they were staying in for the rest of the night.

Well, the leggy blonde wouldn’t have the big guy with her forever. Ray tipped his head back and rested it on the headrest, envisioning a little alone time with Blondie.