Page 79
Ryder knew how to be an outlet. He’d done it a hundred times across interrogation tables, and the trick was always the same: you gave them something first. Something personal, something that made you look vulnerable.
People couldn’t help themselves. They’d fill the silence with whatever was weighing on them, as long as you made them feel like the conversation was already honest.
He thought of Nolan’s words. The closer the cover is to something real, the less work you have to do to maintain it.
Ryder had just the topic. He let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes.
Arlo chuckled and leaned forward on the island. “I’m a little surprised to find you out here. Not sure I would be if I had what you have in your bed.”
“Yeah, I know. Cassie’s been different lately. Distant. Can’t figure out where we stand.”
It didn’t get any truer than that, cover or not.
Arlo nodded. Took a drink. “Keep her close. Don’t give her room to think too much.”
“Meaning what?” He turned the beer bottle in his hand.
“Women start thinking, they start building problems that aren’t there. I’ve seen it a dozen times. A good thing goes sideways because somebody decided to overanalyze it.”
“You think that’s what’s happening?”
“I think you’ve got a woman in your room who does whatever you tell her to do, is your little pet, and you’re standing in my kitchen at four in the morning worried about where you stand.” Arlo raised an eyebrow. “Keep her fucking busy, pardon the pun. Keep her focused on you. That’s all I’m saying.”
Ladies and gentlemen, Arlo Diehl, child trafficker and amateur relationship counselor. What a fucking world.
“Yeah. Maybe you’re right.” Ryder somehow forced the words out.
“I’m always right about women. Ask Heath. Actually, don’t ask Heath. Heath doesn’t know shit about women.”
Then Arlo’s phone buzzed in the pocket of his sweatpants.
He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and everything about him changed. The restlessness dropped out of his shoulders. A grin spread across his face, pleased and loose, the expression of a man who’d just gotten confirmation that a deal was going through.
This was what he’d been restless about.
He tipped the beer toward Ryder. “Busy week coming up. Looks like we’ll have more product ready in just a few days.”
“You don’t have to call them product, you know. I appreciate it in front of Cassie, but I know we’re talking about kids.”
Arlo grinned. “Glad you caught on. I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure.”
He raised his beer bottle in a salute. “Like I said, as long as the money is good, I’m willing to transport anything.”
“Young ones are a pain in the ass to move, with all their crying and carrying-on, but the margins…” He whistled low through his teeth. “Worth the hassle.”
He wanted to break the bottle across Arlo’s face. Slam his face into the kitchen counter. Keep going until there was nothing left of it to grin with. He wanted it so badly his back teeth ached from clenching, and the anger was so clean and bright it almost felt good.
Instead, he lifted his beer and took another drink.
“Sounds like business is good.”
“Getting there. Infrastructure takes time, but we’re building something sustainable.” Arlo pocketed the phone. He was already past it. Already on to the next thought. Children arriving in a few days, margins worth the hassle, and now he was giving relationship advice again. “Speaking of which. Lock Cassandra down, brother. A woman like that, somebody else’ll scoop her up if you don’t. People are always looking for good pets.”
Another smile. “Thanks, man. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You better.” Arlo finished his beer, set the bottle on the counter, and pushed off. “I’m going to try to get a couple more hours’ sleep. You should do the same.”
“Right behind you.”
