“You guys will lock up when you’re done?” I ask.
“You know it.”
“Okay. Just hit this button when you’re finished, and the recording will start again. I’ll see you back in Nevada.”
She grabs my arm. “Serenity.”
“Why does everyone keep saying my fucking name? I know what it is.” I shake her hand off my arm.
She holds her palms up. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just worried about you. Let me or my sister ride back to Nevada with you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I say, making my way toward the door. “Just … please don’t get caught.”
Her sister, Katie, shakes her head. “We’ll be out of here quicker than you think.”
“Good. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I didn’t mean to snap.”
They each walk over and give me a hug. “If you change your mind and stay, you take good care of our twins.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. I’ll do that.”
They both chuckle. “You never know. Something might pop up and get you to change your mind,” Jesse says, winking at her sister.
“I doubt it.”
I give the Cage one last look from the windshield of my car before heading for the back roads. I’m going to drive by Rage’shouse. Just one last time. I don’t know why I’m torturing myself, but …
When I drive by, Peanut runs out to the road, wagging his tail wildly.
“Oh no, this was a mistake,” I cry, sobs instantly wracking my body.
“Why don’t you just grow some balls and pull into the driveway?” a voice says from the back seat.
I scream, throwing the car in park and jumping out. Peanut instantly comes over to greet me. Carver crawls out of the back seat.
“What the fuck are you doing in my car?!”
He sits down in the driver’s seat and pops the trunk.
“What are you doing?” I ask, turning to run before he responds. I have a feeling I already know the answer.
Peanut abruptly cuts in front of me, making me tumble and roll. My hands scrape against the gravel road as I catch myself. “Peanut!” I yell, covering myself as he viciously licks my face.
Carver stands over my head, bending down to grab me under my arms. “Up you go.”
Once I’m on my feet, he hoists me over his shoulder. “Put me down!” I yell, banging on his back.
“What the fuck took you so long inside the Cage?”
“I was working out my frustration.” I smack Carver on the ass, showing Peanut right where to bite. “Get him, Peanut. Right here. Come on.”
The dog trots happily behind us.
“You’re no help!”
Carver dumps me right in the trunk and quickly closes the lid, giving me no time to protest.
“Carver, let me out of here right now.”