Nineteen

All I wanted to do was wake up to Teagan, maybe have morning sex and go for breakfast. That would've been the highlight of my fucking day. Instead, I ended up in the city because of Leroy. He played the I'm doing you a favour, so you do me a favour card. Yet he hasn't even done his share of the favour yet.

Asshole.

I find it strange that Teagan still hasn't messaged me. It's already past lunch, and I haven't heard a peep from her. I can't blame her. She's probably pissed at me, and I don't blame her; I left in the middle of the night. I'm on the fence about reaching out to her. The way she spoke, it sounded like she already knew how things would turn out. I'm not sure she can handle friends with benefits.

Maybe I'll just keep my distance as myself and only return when I'm wearing my mask. It just seems like the best way to stay safe. Eventually, she'll move on from me, and I'll do the same in time. I shouldn't have become friends with her; being her stalker was safer.

"Blackwell, get your head in the game. This is a serious job."

Every job is serious. I swear Leroy is a drama queen. When he called, he made it out to be life or death, and I had to be out here pronto.

"Yeah, got it. Only been sitting here for hours." Annoyance floods me. He should've figured this shit out before calling me.

He pushed me up against the brick wall, getting close to my face. "Listen here. The only reason why I keep you around is because you still owe me. If it weren't for that, I would've tossed your ass long ago."

I push him back. "I don't owe you shit. I paid you back tenfold. You can't find anyone stupid enough to keep doing this with you, and that's the only reason you keep calling me. "

He points his finger at me, narrowing his dark eyes. "Watch what you say, or you'll find yourself in more trouble than you're worth."

"And you're an asshole. Where's the car you want stolen?"

"We need the black Cadillac Blackwing." He nods to the blacked-out car across the street.

In this area, only a specific group of people drive this particular car. I'm not too fond of being shot or stabbed when I try to steal a drug dealer's car. I would say this is the first time stealing a drug dealer's car, but it isn't and sadly won't be the last. I have a hard time saying no. And honestly, the money isn't bad.

"Leroy, who's car is that?'

He scratches his chin. "It's um. Wolf's."

I turn to him. "Are you shitting me? You want me to steal from Wolf. Nope. I'm fucking out. You're on your own."

"Silas, seriously. Grow a pair. That asshole owes me. Steal his car, and I promise to never call you again for a job."

"And if I get shot?"

"Won't happen. Now finish the job."

There's no point in arguing anymore; it's like talking to a toddler half the time. I point to the tow truck so Leroy gets the hint that I'm ready to go. There's only one way to steal a newer vehicle, and that's to do a fake repo—no one questions when a tow truck pulls up and hooks up to a car.

Pulling up enough that the tilt bed has enough space to touch the tires. I leave Leroy in the cab while I get to work, hooking up the axle to the winch. I hate crawling under such low cars, but I'm also glad I'm not overly tall. When I press the button on the truck deck, the winch slowly pulls the car ahead. I feel that with each passing minute, Wolf and his crew will come crawling out of the building next to us and shoot without questions.

I shoot daggers at the back of Leroy's head as he sits sheltered in the cab; the sooner this is finished I'm out. Then he owes me for once. The winch comes to a halt, and I press a different button to raise the flatbed. I quickly climb onto it and strap the car down. I don't know why, but I'm feeling super on edge as I hop back into the cab.

"About damn time. We need to leave, that there is a member of Wolf's crew." Leroy points to a guy standing a few feet across the parking lot, having a smoke. Surprisingly, he hasn't noticed us yet.

I knew something wasn't right.

"We can't get away without drawing attention."

"Either way, we're attention seeking whores, Blackwell. We've got a six-figure car loaded on the back of this bad boy. What do you suggest we do?"

Fuck. No matter what we pick, shit is about to go down. But driving away seems to be the safest option, and if we do it fast enough, we can be a reasonable distance away before the crew tries to find us. Slamming the truck into gear, I step on the gas. The truck rocks forward and roars to life. The little prick comes running toward us, phone to his ear. I glance at the passenger side mirror and notice the door swinging open to the building with Wolf sprinting towards us, frantically waving his arms.

"I think he knows we stole his car." I chuckle, turning out of the parking lot and onto the street.

"Good, now fucking drive like you stole it."

I roll my eyes. What a lame response. Then again, Leroy is older than dirt. I turn the corner and relax.

"I swear, Leroy. I'm never doing your shady business again. You need to find someone else."

"Don't be such a pussy, Blackwell. You act like you were shot at."

The sudden sound of gunshots causes me to swerve into oncoming traffic; I crank the steering wheel hard to the right, slamming into an SUV. Another round of gunshots ping off the side of the truck. As I glance into the side mirror, I spot an SUV beside me and a man in the passenger seat sticking a gun out the window. Suddenly, the mirror explodes as a bullet hits it.

"Leroy. I blame you." I glare at him.

"I didn't cause this. You were slow." He pulls a gun out of his waistband and leans out the window.

I try to control the truck and ensure they don't shoot a tire. That'll be my worst nightmare.

"Hold on, I have to ram this asshole." I jolt left into the SUV, making them lose control and drive into the pathway of a semi-truck. My bad.

"Good job. Now it's just this prick, and he's fighting me."

"Well, aim for their fuckin tire or the windshield. Jesus. I can't keep driving like a prick."

"What the hell do you think I've been trying to do? It looks easier in the movies, you know."

I would like to see him drive while being shot at. Not so easy.

"They haven't shot the car up, have they?"

Leroy groans. "I hope not, but if they did, oh well. Bullet holes in a car are an easy fix."

A bullet to my brain, not so much. I jerk the truck to the right and slam into the SUV, making them smack into a parked car.

"Just get the job done, Leroy. I'm not dying on your watch. "

He sits back in his seat. "I was getting to it. You have no patience."

I'm glad he's finally figuring that out; if only he realized it sooner. I'm only patient with a few things in life, and this isn't one of them. I need to promise to myself that this is my last job; this shit isn't worth it. I thought being in Holden was it for me, but I'm sure I burnt that bridge.

Leroy directs me to the drop off, another shitty warehouse, which doesn't surprise me. The cops look for clean and busy locations. This ain't it.

"I'll help you with your problem next week if you want."

"Yeah, that would be great. It needs to be dealt with smoothly, and I mean it."

He waves me off. "Yes, so you've told me. I'm not gonna fuck it up. Have some faith."

Faith? Not in this lifetime. That went out the door when Leroy told me I would never be shot at when I did a job. I've lost count.

I climb out of the truck and toss the keys to some rubberneck. My hands are done here, I follow Leroy into the warehouse because I still don't trust him enough not to stiff me with my payout. And this payout will be the best one yet and stealing a six-figure car high up there. They can turn it around fast if they want, but if they were smart, I would sit on it until Wolf calmed down.

I check my phone, and still nothing from Teagan. I'm unsure if I should reach out. Should I give her a few days? Or head back tonight and watch her. That is more appealing to me, and deep down, I know she enjoys it, too.

If I can keep up that charade, things will be better.

"Blackwell, head out of the sky." Leroy tosses me an envelope.

I casually open it up and flip through the crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, ensuring my cut is accounted for. When I'm satisfied, I slip it into my back pocket.

"I'm out. I'll call when I'm ready for you." I salute him and walk out.

Now that I'm done, I'm not sure where to go. If I head home, Teagan will know I'm back and wonder why I'm avoiding her. Do I want to become a hermit during the day, just to be an avoidant?

I also wonder if she liked the gift that mask left behind in her shop. I want to see if she found it; her shop isn't being touched, so I'm not even sure if she would go there today. Maybe I should've left it in her house. But that might have freaked her out too much.

I'm somewhat surprised Teagan never brought up her stalker to me. Is she scared to mention it, or does she not think it's serious enough?

It's time for a little more fun.