Page 69 of Devil's Marker

“Roar, put a couple of guys on their tail as escort outta town. Make sure they’re not bein’ followed before you peel off. Take off now and meet up with your escort at Stripes. The one at Sun Valley and Old Temple.”

Roar grabbed two pieces of toast off his plate as he was standing up. “Yeah, Boss.”

To R.C., Boss said, “You know how to find that Stripes?”

“Grew up here, Pop.”

“That an answer?”

“Yes. I know how to find it.”

“Christ, you are difficult.” He turned to focus on Win. “Give them fifteen minutes, then put this pain in my ass in the floorboard of that Ford until you’re out of town. Stop at that Stripes to get gas so you can pick up your escort.”

“Got it.” Win yawned.

“You can sleep when you get back,” Boss said. “Load up on those…” He turned to Cue. “What do you call those?”

“Monster drinks.”

“Yeah. Get yourself a carload of those when you’re at Stripes.”

R.C. had her head between her knees in the passenger side of the Ford. “It’s weird traveling like this. Feeling every little stop and start and turn and engine doohickey, but not bein’ able to see out.”

“After we get south of town and traffic thins out, you can sit up.” He pulled into Stripes. “Gonna top off the gas like Boss said. Then I’m goin’ in there and get some of those caffeine-rich concoctions.”

“Do not get monster drinks. Get Red Bull. Not the sugar free kind. It’s awful. Get the fully leaded. It’s not bad and it works. To a point.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Means you will get the wild-eyed caffeine shakes if you have more than one.”

“Look. After we get out of town. Why don’t you pull over and switch with me? Catch a nap while I drive us in to Austin.”

“I’m not nappin’.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause.”

“’Cause why?”

“Just ‘cause.”

“Are you ten? Stop sayin’ that and tell me the reason.”

“’Cause I want to spend time with you while I can. Don’t want to sleep through it.” R.C.’s heart seized in her chest. Her mind froze, as did her tongue. “So you make me say it out loud and I get nothin’?”

“I’m… overwhelmed.”

“In a good way?”

“In a good way.”

“When this is over, look for me to show up at your door. First, we’re gonna enjoy a nice long slow fuck. And it’s gonna be good.” R.C. looked straight ahead out the windshield while her thighs clenched convulsively. “Then we’re gonna hold each other and drown in long slow kisses that last for hours and talk about what’s gonna happen next.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay,” she whispered.

“Okay?” He smiled. She smiled shyly in return. “I’m looking forward to it, Grace.”