Safe Word Read Free Page A

the road in front of me. We turned off the main street, and the path was now only illuminated by my headlights and those of the vehicle behind me.
    “My friend back there is going to have a little talk with you before the exchange. He’s not going to be very friendly. It would be in your best interest to pay attention. I assure you he means everything he fucking says.” I relaxed in my seat and waited as the passenger-side door jerked open, causing Holly to gasp and lean a few inches closer to me. At least she could see I was the lesser of two evils.
    Whitey leaned in and looped his oversize fingers around her small, fragile arm and yanked her from the car. His dark wavy hair hung across his face, hiding his features. I shook my head as I put the car in drive and pulled away from them. I didn’t make it out of the parking lot before my phone rang.
    “It’s done,” I said before the caller could answer.
    “Are we set for the next one?” Danny had no semblance of patience. He wanted nothing but money, and these girls were just a paycheck.
    “I’ll have one by morning.”
    “You’ll have one before your head hits the fucking pillow tonight or when you do it will be with one extra hole in it.”
    Danny didn’t sugarcoat shit. If he was pissed, you knew he was fucking pissed. He didn’t mince words.
    “Consider it done.” I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger side of the bench seat. I ran my hand over my short blond hair and let out a deep sigh. I still had a little time. I stepped on the gas and flew down the empty forgotten streets on the outskirts of the city. As I neared civilization, I grabbed my phone and found Lily’s number from her recent call.
    “You still want to meet up?” My eyes flicked to my rearview mirror. No lights. I didn’t have a tail.
    “Sure. I could use a drink.”
    “Where can I pick you up?”
    “I’ll meet you at The Bourbon. I’m only a block away.”
    “Sounds good. Be there in five.”
    “Bye, Cole.”
    The line went dead before I could register that she had called me Cole, not Colt. I hadn’t been called that since before my father was killed. Perhaps it was a coincidence. It had been a very long day and it wasn’t going to end anytime soon.
    I parked the Barracuda back in the garage, making sure to throw my car cover over it and lock the doors.
    My phone chirped with a friendly reminder message that I was running out of time to find the next girl. I turned the volume down and slipped it into my pocket. I had never missed a deadline before and I wouldn’t be starting now. I just needed to figure out how Lily was linked to my past. That knowledge could seriously jeopardize what I had going. If she was just playing games with me, well…she just fucked with the wrong person.
    I rounded the corner onto the main strip. Bodies spilled out onto the sidewalk from the clubs. I pushed my way through the crowd and into the front door of The Bourbon, giving the bouncer a nod. Everyone was on the payroll. I scanned the crowd, my eyes landing on the back of a brunette sitting at the bar. I smiled and made my way to her side.
    “You ditched your friend,” I called out over the thumping rock music as my eyes danced over the gorgeous brunette.
    “He was my coworker. We teach at the same school.” She turned to face me, causing her knees to rub against my leg, and my cock stiffened.
    “You make it a habit of having drinks with strange men?” I leaned in closer so I wouldn’t have to shout, breathing in the scent of her soap. There was something familiar about it.
    “I’m here with you, aren’t I?” She laughed, tucking her long, dark hair behind her ear.
    “You wanna tell me how you know me or are we going to keep playing this game, sweetheart?” I nodded to the bartender who returned the gesture. He grabbed a shot glass and filled it with Jack Daniel’s, sliding it on the bar toward me. I grabbed it and let the harsh liquid burn my throat before slamming