The only reason we did was because Moretti took Damien under his wing, thanks to whatever favor Damien once did for him. Now that Moretti’s dead, the others are out for blood.
Coltello wants us dead too, because we were loyal to the boss. And the Syndicatealsowants Damien dead, though I have no fucking idea why.
The only way out of this clusterfuck is to focus on forming alliances, on gaining power. That’s been Damien’s plan from the beginning, but I’ve never once believed it. What are a couple of high school dropouts supposed to do against the all-powerful mafia?
Everest, though, has bought into Damien’s spiel, hook, line, and sinker. Well, whatever he believes is fine by me just as long as he helps us get to a safe house. And he’s done that, alright. I owe him.
Aurora and Dolores wake up first from our night spent driving, and I begrudgingly make a quick stop to load up on food and gas. Lia still isn’t stirring; I must have really tired her out this past month, and the thought makes me smile.
Dolores takes Aurora to the bathroom, and then I let them run around a bit to stretch their legs. I don’t leave the car, though, or Lia. I’m far too nervous.
Aurora has a bit of a meltdown when Dolores buckles her back into the car, and I feel a pang of guilt, because I know how unnatural it is for her to be strapped into a car seat for a whole day and night. But what choice do we have?
“Where are we going?” questions Dolores as I turn the key in the ignition.
“Don’t worry.”
“Idoworry. We never discussed this. Damien paid me for my work in Wyoming. We never spoke about traveling, and now you’re taking me to another state, and not even giving me time to get my things together. I agreed to work as a nanny and housekeeper. I didnotagree to run from the mafia.”
“Alright.” I frown, a headache beating down on me. My exhaustion is getting to me. “What do you want me to do, Dolores? Want to get out here? Go on, get out.” I unlock the door, and she scowls at me. “I do have the money to pay you. I won’t make you do anything but what you agreed to. But if you don’t want to come along, well, there’s the door. Get out.”
“Get out to go where?” she huffs. “To the gas station? I wouldn’t even have a way to get home!”
“Well, it’s your choice. You have about three seconds to make it. Three… two…”
She settles back against the seat, glaring at me as I press my foot to the gas pedal.
I realize I’m being a real asshole, and I can’t blame her for being upset. But I just do not have the mental bandwidth to dealwith this right now.
So I merge onto the highway, resolutely ignoring her angry mood. At last, she turns her attention to an equally moody Aurora, and tries to occupy her with games. Between the two of them, I’m feeling pretty fucking on edge.
And when Lia wakes up, it just gets worse.
“Are we still in the car? I really need to pee. And can we stop to get coffee? My head is pounding…”
“Shut it, or I’ll poundyou.”
This time, Dolores hears me, and she throws me a furious glare. But I give it back as good as I get, and she bites her tongue and turns back to Aurora.
“What the hell, asshole?” snaps Lia.
Both Lia and Dolores cry out when I take a hairpin curve onto the next exit and pull up to another gas station.
“Fuck, Logan! What’s wrong with you?”
“Get out. Go pee. Get your fucking coffee.”
The withering look she gives me would probably make most people fall to their knees, but again, I can give as good as I get. My expression clearly scares her, and she looks down.
“I don’t have cash. Remember? I’m your captive.”
“Right. Youaremy captive.”
I walk around to her side, grab her arm and pull her out. Then I open the back door. “Get out and stretch your legs. And then, I don’t want to hear you until we’re in Washington.”
“Washington?” Dolores stares up at me. “Is that where we’re going?”
Something in her eyes makes me a little nervous, but I push the uncomfortable sensation aside. “Go on, get out.”