“What do you have ready to go right now? Nothing fancy. Something that will blend in.”
“Let’s see. You want a car, truck, or SUV?”
“Whichever one has an automatic transmission,” Chance said.
“You can’t drive a stick, either?” Jax’s eyes bugged out. “How did you spend your time growing up?”
“I’m sorry I’m so challenged in the driving department.” He made a snide face. “Chessie, can you drive a—”
“Uh, I think I should confess something.” Her cheeks flamed. “I can’t drive at all.”
Of course, that made Jax burst out laughing again. Gigi covered her mouth with one hand, but I still heard her giggles.
“Well, you two are a fine pair to send on a mission.” Kerry glowered at them both.
“I got an SUV that should work.” Eskander grinned. “And since your friend here helped us, I’ll cut you a deal. Leave us something you value as collateral and she’s yours for as long as you need her. Just bring her back when you’re done.”
“Isaid, I keep what’s—”
“Not talking to you, Harker.”
“Careful, Chance,” I cautioned quietly. “I’m afraid making a deal with a sheba could come back to bite you in the butt.”
“I’m more than happy to pay for it.” Kerry stepped in. “Don’t worry about it. How much, Kander?”
“No, I got this.” Chance’s face firmed up in that way I could have told Kerry meant he wasn’t going to change his mind. “Since it’s my fault we can’t use the bike and all.”
“My fault, too.” Chessie shrugged. “I can’t handle a bike anymore than I can drive a car.”
“Now that would be a sight.” Mira’s lips twisted up.
I had to agree with her as I pictured Chessie driving that beast of a bike with Chance hanging on the back.
“You didn’t have the gear or helmets, anyway.” Kerry shrugged. “Not that we couldn’t have got some, but it would have eaten up time.”
“I’ll take the deal.” Chance looked at Eskander. “Show me the car, please.”
“Show me your collateral first. And remember, something of value.Realvalue, not money.”
Chance reached behind his neck and pulled a ball chain necklace out of his shirt, and I frowned. Now wehadto make sure the SUV got back here, no matter the cost.
Chance took off his necklace and Chessie tried to get a look at it, but he handed it over to Eskander quickly. The sheba’s face showed surprise first, then approval, and he asked us to stay there until David brought the vehicle down from the upper parking deck.
Jax towed Kerry over to look at his bike and the others tagged along, but I grabbed Chance’s shoulder before he walked away.
“You sure about this?” I met his eyes. “What if something happens?”
“We’ll be fine. We won’t be doing anything interesting or even exciting.” He flashed me a grin. “Besides, he just said to bring it back. He didn’t specify what shape it had to be in, now did he?”
#
Kerry
While we waited, I asked Kander what he knew about Darius’ clan of djinn.
“They’re slaves,” he said, “and have been for centuries. They’re anchored to an earthbound vessel in the form of a ring.”
“If they were stripped down to fire, how long would it take them to regenerate?” I’d been wondering about that.
