Page 51 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)
CHAPTER
FIFTY-ONE
DELIVERED GOODS
LAYLA
Around 4 a.m., the plates arrive, so we switch them out and are given the go-ahead to leave our hideout. Colt drives us directly to the docks without any heat, which is a relief. We hold hands during the quiet drive, but there's a little hum of excitement between us.
After this, we are free.
When we pull into the docks, of course Williams is there waiting, and Colt drives the car directly into the shipping container. Once parked, we hop out and make our way out towards Williams, who has a huge smile on his face.
“Ah, kids! Good job! Fuck, I’m going to miss you two!” he says as he approaches us. “I had my boys bring your car around when I told Axel to go home.” We look over and see Colt’s Camaro parked off to the side.
Williams reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out two envelopes.
“These are for you. Axel didn’t do shit but give you a lift to the job. Now that you’re done, he’s been released from his duties for me. He gives you any shit about it, tell him to take it up with me. It’s been good working with ya kid, ya almost always delivered.” He slaps Colt’s shoulder.
My stomach knots hearing him say that. I have a bad feeling.
Axel didn’t get paid and was released from Williams’ crew? He hacked security to get us in. He did work, and Williams didn’t pay him just because Colt decided to join us?
This is not going to go over well.
“Thanks, Williams. Take care of yourself,” Colt says, grabbing my hand and turning to walk away, leading us towards his car.
“Just remember, you know what happens if you cross me,” he calls out after us.
Colt turns and looks back at him. “I got everything I need to start my new life. You let us go as agreed, I have no reason to cross you, Williams.”
He smiles and nods. “That’s what I like to hear. Take care kids.” We head over to Colt’s car, and when we get in, he looks over at me with a huge smile.
“You ready?” I nod repeatedly and we start the drive back home to get some fucking sleep after the long night we just had.
The next couple of weeks pass in a blur.
Between finishing class projects and final exams, we perfected our plan to leave, deciding to drive across the country to sightsee until we reach California.
From there, we will ship Colt’s Camaro over to Hawaii.
We have never left The Shores before, so we want to see the country before heading to the Big Island.
While it was nice to mostly focus on school again, the way my life used to be, I am excited for what the future holds.
Now, we’re standing in a crowd of fellow classmates, tossing our caps with our diplomas in hand. My parents weren’t here to witness, not that I even invited them. I want nothing to do with them anymore.
After the excitement dies down, Colt grabs my hand and practically drags me to the parking lot.
“Why the hurry?” I ask curiously.
He stops, looking down at me with the sweetest smile. "Because we're checking into a hotel and I'm taking you out for a night on the town."
"A night on the town? What does that even mean coming from the ‘bad boy’ of The Shores?" I raise an eyebrow at him
"Yeah, we just graduated, baby! It's time to celebrate, so we're going to eat some incredible food and then I have a couple of surprises for you." He rubs his hands up and down my shoulders.
"But Colt, I don't have any clothes."
His smile widens. "Don't worry, I packed a bag for you. Threw in my favorite little sundress of yours." I tilt my head and look at him with amazement. We live together, and I had no idea he planned any of this.
"So come on, let's go!" He starts pulling me again, and I can't help but giggle. His excitement is contagious.
When we get into the car, Colt drives us straight to the hotel. Once we’re checked in, we get ready for dinner, where we eat steak and lobster at a fancy restaurant. And then, to my surprise, Colt tells me he booked us a spot at a poetry reading and paint night.
My heart is full as we drink wine and paint portraits of a sunset over an ocean.
This night has been so special because it is perfectly me.
Colton really cares for me and wasn’t the least bit affected that he looked so out of place at a poetry reading and paint night.
He was just happy to see me happy. It is fucking adorable seeing my big tattooed man so soft.
The ladies at both events swooned over him.
Sorry ladies, he’s all mine. And even I still can’t fucking believe that he is. How this guy chose me is beyond me.
Later that night, we lay in the hotel room, just talking about how no one has messed with us since Colt has been better, and that we haven’t talked to Axel or Daya since he was released from Williams.
We have no clue what kind of bender he’s on, and she’s read my messages but hasn’t responded to any of them.
She's probably mad at me for being part of the reason his income got taken away. But Colt’s right, Axel worked for Williams as long as he did.
He had every opportunity to show his worth to him, and all he did was get by on Colt’s hard work and risk-taking.
We are just happy to be leaving this sort of drama behind in two days.