The chair crashes to the floor as I launch to my feet and stab a sharp fingernail at the asshole beside me. “You’re on my shit list.”
Jaxon chuckles. “A coin flip never fails.”
I roll my eyes. “Not for you.”
“Just get it over with. The boss will reward you.”
“With another bullshit job,” I spit. I’ll believe his promise of a raise when I see it.
“That’s the name of the grifter game, Franks. You’re just waiting for the next big hustle to land in your lap. Might as well earn a little extra on these side gigs until it arrives,” he says.
Which is sad but true. Our days are spent obeying James Keller’s command. We’ve been blindly following his orders sinceI was old enough to remember. He runs the crew with a harsh, unforgiving fist. If I refuse to do as he says, I’ll probably get kicked out onto the streets. Honestly, the moments when I wonder if I’d be better off are happening more often. Much like now.
“Walker,” I sigh and turn to my brother. “Will you do it?”
“Busy.” And by that he means snorting whatever drug is chopped up in front of him.
Disgust slithers through my stomach like a venomous snake. “You and your nose could use a break.”
Walker’s bleary eyes struggle to focus on me. “Oh, yeah? Well, I think you could be more useful. Get on your knees for a few rich fucks and make us some real money.”
“I’m not a whore,” I seethe.
My brother scoffs. “Not yet.”
A permanent escape from this hell beckons to my dwindling spirit, but it’s futile. I can’t see beyond the rancid shack we’re forced to share. “Why do I even bother?”
Jax nods at the excess powder on the mirror. “You could get a hobby to dull your senses. Eventually, you’ll stop caring about the details.”
That suggestion turns my stomach. “I’d rather deal with Bianca Benson.”
“Get on with it then and quit your bitchin’,” Walker mutters before bending for another bump.
My middle fingers lift to bid them farewell. “So much for being family. I hate both of you.”
I kick at the horse stall like an unruly mare, pissed that I’m the one stuck on this assignment. Bianca is a spoiled rich girl who caught the wrong type of attention. Once the boss discovered that she’s important to his son, the sparkly rodeo princess got a target placed on her back.
A long sigh passes through my lips. Colton is another complication entirely. Why the boss insists on dragging my cousin back into the crew after he abandoned us seems ridiculous. Even for a shady group of misfits such as ourselves. But I don’t make the rules. I’m just expected to follow them.
My eyes narrow to showcase my annoyance for the woman in front me. I still can’t believe I’m the one confronting her. At a kid’s therapy camp, no less. The boss better keep his word and pay up.
Bianca returns my glare, as if this pampered brat has anything to complain about. Her attitude has been nothing but a headache. Why my cousin cares about her beats me.
I shrug, rolling her hostility off my shoulders. “You’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
The youngest Benson snorts like a champion sire asked to breed with a Shetland pony. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
That makes two of us, but I have a job to do. “A little birdie told us that you’re having trouble leaving town on your own. We can help you escape.”
“Ohhhh,” Bianca laughs. “The cowboy criminals want to make me disappear. Convenient.”
“Is that what you’re calling us?” I flip my hair at the endearing title, trying it on for size. “I’ll have shirts made.”
“That’ll have you dressed more appropriately at a family-friendly facility.” Her gaze scours over me in disdain, as if I’m manure stuck to the soles of her expensive boots.
It doesn’t bother me that much. I’m used to this judgment from the likes of her. “Bitchy, huh? Makes sense.”
“Excuse me?” Bianca bristles and straightens her short stature.