Page 44 of An Eye For Illusion

“Pull your head out of your ass, Colin. This is important,” Donovan says on a sigh.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m listening.”

“I asked if you think you’ll be ready for Vinny’s birthday party coming up in a couple of weeks? We don’t have time for you to lose it about your client. If we don’t produce what they’re looking for, all this shit will be for nothing.” Donovan punctuates his ass chewing when he slams his drink down on the counter.

“I already have some ideas on how to find the car they want. I pulled some old contacts I have from the Shaw case. I’m waiting to hear from them.”

The relief on Donovan’s face makes me feel guilty. This obviously stresses him out, but I’m unsure why. Cases like this rarely get to him, so I don’t know why this one is different.

“Are you okay?” I ask, curious to see if he’ll actually tell me. Donovan is a great dude, but he keeps to himself. He isn’t one to tell his business or complain.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrug and take my first sip of the bourbon he gave me. It’s good shit and goes down like honey with just the right amount of burn. “Seems like something is bothering you.”

He rounds his shoulders and shakes his head. “No, man, I’m good. I just want this case to be over and done.”

“What’s the hurry? Liam have something lined up for you?”

I know why I want the case to be done, and it has something to do with a certain leggy blonde, but I’m curious to know why Donovan feels the same.

“No, just some personal shit. It’ll be alright. Let’s just keep our head on straight and get this one closed.” He raises his drink, waiting for me. I reach up and clink our glasses together.

We may have different motives, but I couldn’t agree more. I’m ready to put Jade Foster in my rearview mirror.

At least… that’s what I keep telling myself.

Chapter 16

Colin

My phone ringing wakes me up from a deep sleep. I passed out around twelve a.m. after getting home from Donovan’s place. We didn’t talk any more about the case. Instead, we just shot the shit and drank another glass or two of bourbon.

I blink several times to focus my eyes so I can see who the hell is calling me.

Fuck. It’s Frankie. Everyone exchanged numbers before leaving the warehouse. I gave them the burner phone number I have for this case. Why is he calling me at two in the morning?

I let it go to voicemail, but the ringing only stops for a second before it starts again. The shrill ring echoes in my otherwise silent apartment, and I groan.

“Yeah?” I answer in a brisk tone. I don’t know why the hell he’s calling, but I know it’s for nothing good.

“Jax, it’s Frankie. Vinny needs a car picked up. You ready?”

I damn near swallow my tongue. What the fuck is he talking about?

“Yeah,” the word leaves my lips without a second thought.

Donovan said no hesitation. I don’t have the option to say no. That would blow this whole plan to pieces, and my gut tells me we’re on to something big here. Before I can come up with a plan to stall, he speaks.

“Meet me at the warehouse ASAP. We need to get this done before daybreak.” He ends the call with nothing else and without a response.

Fuck. I say as I slam my palm down on the bed. I immediately call Donovan as I rise out of bed and make my way to the dresser across the room to get some clothes. It rings repeatedly with no answer.

I need Donovan’s help to figure out how to stall Frankie. We need more time so I don’t go in alone. I call again. No answer. I leave a voicemail, hang up, and call again. No answer.

Dammit!

Donovan warned me not to meet up with these guys without him, but what choice do I have? If I don’t show up, I’m out, and he won’t fucking answer his phone. It takes no time at all for me to realize I have to do this alone.

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