Page 26 of No Control
“Of course, he did,” Jude scoffs. “Save me the details.”
“I need you to create a digital footprint for Mason Prewitt. He needs to quit his job, move away—something. You know the drill.”
He sighs. “The fiancé. You killed the fiancé.”
“Ex-fiancé,” I correct him.
“So if he was the ex, why did you bother? Seems like a waste of time.”
I white knuckle the steering wheel. “Just do what I asked you to.”
“You know I will.”
My eyes take in the empty turnpike, and for a moment, I actually appreciate the middle of nowhere. No bumper-to- bumper traffic. “Also, I need you to cancel my flight and extend the rental.”
Silence.
“Jude?”
“You have to get back here.”
Fuck.
“I can’t. I’m not going without her.”
“Yeah, you are. Can you imagine what the Big Man is going to do if we’re late? The longer you put it off, the closer we get to being on his radar—and if he finds out about what you’re doing out there...”
“We work off contracts. It’s none of his business what we do outside of them.”
“Yeah, till he finds out that’s the reason why you’re not here. I accepted the job, Henry. We have to do it.”
“And I will do it. I’m just not going without Lydia.”
“Oh jeez,” he groans. “You can’t be serious. Maybe I should call Cher. She’d be thrilled to know that you’re off stalking her favorite author and trying to kidnap her.”
Irritation burns in my chest, rivalling the guilt her name brings up. “Don’t hold my sister over my head. I’m not going to kidnap Lydia. Just scare her into taking the deal.”
“This could go so bad.”
“It could, and then I’ll do whatever I have to. She has no idea her ex-fiancé is gone, so I can use that to my advantage. I know how to drive people out.”
“You’re a lunatic, but you’re right.” He sighs heavily on the other end of the line. “Just…Be careful. Please. If something happens to you out there, I’ll have to call Luca, and you know how I feel about that.”
I frown, thinking of our friend, one which makes the monster in me look like an angel. “Yeah, no need to get him involved. Ever.”
“It would tickle his fancy to know you’re out playing dangerous games, though.”
“I’m sure it would, but no one needs to know about this.”
“Never would’ve told anyone, anyway. You still have eight hours to make the flight, you know.”
I glance at the clock. “No, it’s going to have to wait. I need the cover of dark. I can’t have her recognizing me.”
“Yeah, fair enough. Let me know as soon as you have something, though. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Hopefully.
***
