The DP had a long arm in Florida and he intended to avoid that arm.
As Kara walked inside to use the restroom, his cell rang. Lance again. Jace went outside. This time, he stabbed the answer button. This was a convo best had in private.
“Yeah, Lance. Thanks for trashing my place.”
A volley of foul words followed.
“You think what the guys did to your sofa is bad, Gator? When they catch you they’re going to cut you into so many pieces the gators will have trouble finding all of you.”
The man’s voice lowered. “There’ll be nothing left of you to bury. Not even bones. Your own mother won’t recognize you.”
“Sure.” He managed to sound bored. “She won’t give a damn. You’ll never find the jewels that way.”
He expected more swearing but heard only silence. Finally, Lance said, “Go on.”
“If I stole your stash, and killed those kids, think I’d bother talking to you? I think I know where the kid is and I’m going to find him and get the jewelry back.”
“Where’s Dylan, you bastard? I warned you to watch him!”
Jace released his own string of swear words. “I couldn’t watch him every second. What the hell do you want from me?”
“Your life, you bastard, if you don’t find Dylan. Find him, or you’re dead meat.”
Lance hung up.
Blowing out a breath, he pocketed the phone. That went well.
The diner wasn’t busy this time of night and he was glad of it. Jace ordered a burger, medium rare, with a salad, then excused himself to the restroom. After, he called Rafe. No answer. Worry needled him. His boss never shut off his cell phone.
After he finished eating, Jace glanced at the round clock over the diner’s counter. Nearly eight, and Kara’s head was bobbing over the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich she was struggling to finish.
Jace consulted the internet and found a small motel. He tossed a few bills on the table, took a long swig of his iced tea and slid out from the booth. “Come on. We need to find a place to crash before you fall off the bike.”
A few miles later, they pulled into the motel parking lot. Only two other vehicles were parked, and they were closer to the office of the U-shaped motel. Jace’s practiced eye roved over the tiny office as he went inside, saw the bulletproof glass shielding the sleepy desk clerk who came out to answer the bell Jace rang.
Seeing Kara, the clerk immediately perked up. He smoothed down his oily hair, flashed a grin in Kara’s direction that raised Jace’s suspicions.
“Hello. Need a room for the evening...or the hour?”
The man’s sly grin widened as he stared at Kara.
“All night long.” Jace locked gazes with the man and didn’t drop his until the man did.
Jace turned to Kara. “Honey, why don’t you wait outside in the fresh air?”
The clerk told him the amount. Jace opened his wallet and thumbed out the cash.
“Nice bike,” the man suddenly said. “Been riding a while?”
Kara yawned and rubbed her bottom. Jace caught a glimpse of well-known ink on the man’s arm. Devil horns in crimson with a snake threading through them.
Guy was a DP. Damn. Yet maybe not. He might be a wannabe or prospect.
“A while. You ride?” Jace asked.
“Had to sell my bike.” The man’s gaze sharpened on his face, then he looked him up and down.
Jace didn’t like how the guy picked up his phone and studied it intently, as if getting word of the Rapture. All his instincts warned this dude was no good.
He needed to toss him a little misdirection in case the clerk was connected to the DP.
Jace picked up the motel key. “Going to Texas but first dropping this little lady off at a friend’s. Got a little business to do—and I don’t want the company. Not until tomorrow morning, after we both have a little fun.”
Filled with distaste, Jace winked at the man.
The clerk nodded, counted the cash and put it away. Already his interest was elsewhere. “Have a good night.”
Jace opened the office door but saw in the glass the clerk get on his cell phone. Not good.
Best to leave, now...
Aw, damn.
Sitting on the curb, Kara had propped up her chin on one fist, her eyes closed. She was dead tired.
Getting her to ride was impossible and risky. She’d fall off. No choice but to stay here for her to catch a few z’s.
Arm around her waist as he supported Kara, remembering happier times when they’d snagged a room for the night to enhance their romance, he helped her into Number 9.