He laughs, but it lacks humor. “Come with us.”
“No.”
“C’mon, Frankie. Admit that you miss it.”
My nose wrinkles at his filthy jeans and ripped shirt. “I don’t.”
Jax’s features look even more ragged when he frowns. “Why are you pretending to go legit? You’ll never be satisfied as a housewife in the ‘burbs.”
I roll my eyes skyward. “Nice try, but I’ll still pass.”
“Why settle? Nothing beats the adrenaline of a hustle. Once a thief, always a thief.”
My glare is a serrated blade. “Your argument is weak. Much like your loyalty.”
“I’m sorry about running off, but I always planned to find you again. We’re a team. Let me prove it to you.” He beckons me forward as if I’m an obedient hound.
For whatever reason, I pause to contemplate my choices. Intrusive thoughts are illogical like that. Past and present collide in a gruesome battle for control. The perceived disappointment from Byron and Ronnie induces nausea. It’s tough to shake the queasiness of admitting a relapse.
But Jax isn’t completely wrong, which I hate to admit. It might be fun to be part of a con, just for old time’s sake. The devil on my shoulder steeples his fingers and I exhale heavily.
“What’s the job?”
His haggard expression lifts in victory. “It’s a simple in and out. We just need you to crack into the safe.”
I stare at these crooked men and something clicks. A slow smile curls my lips. It feels like destiny or some other divine intervention.
“Okay, I’m in.”
Menace: You need to get Ronnie from the bus stop. I’ve got unfinished business to deal with. Don’t wait up.
Iread Frankie’s message for the twentieth time as if the text will change. It’s been almost three hours since it appeared on my screen, commanding me to blindly comply. As if I’m the type to surrender that easily. She’s left me little choice in the matter, though. The fifteen I’ve sent in response remain unanswered.
That doesn’t prevent me from trying again.
Me: Tell me what’s going on.
I manage to wait a full minute before my fingers are furiously typing another attempt.
Me: Dammit, Frankie. Answer me!
She doesn’t listen. There’s no evidence that my texts are even going through. Her phone is probably off. That’s why I can’t track her location. The car is still parked at the school where she must’ve left it.
My legs set me in motion, pacing back and forth next to the road. Ronnie should arrive any minute. I need to calm the fuck down or she’ll freak out. That won’t be beneficial for anyone.
Agitation snatches the reins and rips the hat off my head. The urge to toss it flexes my arm. Instead, I exhale heavily and drag a hand through my hair.
It’s probably nothing. I’m overreacting. My mood has been off since I woke up alone after the best night sleep I’ve had in years. Frankie is capable of defending herself. But this isn’t the first time the woman I love stopped responding.
That gives me pause. Love? I don’t love Frankie. And it’s a massive stretch to find any comparison to Nina’s death. My mind is playing tricks. Shit, I need to get myself together.
The squeak of worn brakes alerts me that the bus is here. My mind whirls. When did that happen? I paste on a grin that I hope Ronnie won’t see straight through. She bounces down the stairs with the usual pep in her step.
“Hey, cupcake. How was school?” My knees creak when I crouch to greet her.
“Sooooo fun!” Ronnie runs into my open arms, giving me a much-needed hug. “We learned about the solar system. It’s super duper huge. Like we can’t even see it all!”
“Really? That’s out of this world.” I don’t have to fake my enthusiasm. This is familiar and natural, allowing me to focus on cooling off.