Page 63 of Glamour and Grit

I’m still dubious as Hell, but I’m probably going to have to at least try if me and my brother are going to come out of this alive. Moreno is ruthless, and doesn’t take no for an answer.

Paxton’s kind of chubby. If the ringer isn’t likewise I might as well throw my hands up in the air, but if they have similar bone structure, and are around the same age…it might be possible.

“Wait, if this Paxton guy is a witness against you, why isn’t he in protective custody or something?”

“Oh, he is, but I’ve already bought off the two low level feds guarding him. Don’t you worry about logistics, honey, you just worry about doing that Hollywood magic.”

I want to slap him.

“Where’s my brother?”

“You’ll see him soon enough,” Moreno says.

Damn it, does that mean I’m going to meet Justin in the afterlife, or is my brother okay? I don’t think I’ll get any more answers out of Moreno. Especially not when Petty hands him my phone.

My jaw falls open when Moreno then hands me the phone.

“You’re going to text your bodyguard and tell him you left of your own accord,” Moreno says. “You understand? And don’t try any stupid secret message bullshit. I’ll approve your text first.”

My fingers type quickly,SOSandMorenoandhelp. Then I send. Moreno laughs.

“You think I’m stupid? It’s in airplane mode right now. That text isn’t going anywhere. Now, delete that bullshit and do what I told you, unless you want Justin to get fitted for a nice pair of concrete shoes.”

I delete the message, my hands shaking badly. An image of Justin sinking down into the water, vanishing forever, almost sends me into a panic.

Somewhere in the midst of my fear, an idea germinates in the shallow soil of my brain. There might be a way for Dane to find me, but only if his sister is as good at hacking as she seems, and this car is registered to Moreno personally.

I start to type, then look up at Moreno.

“I can’t believe you came here to abduct me yourself in your own car. I feel so special.”

I attentively await his response. Moreno shrugs.

“What can I say? You have to do things yourself to get them done right. And I like to ride in style. My car has all the climate control set up the way I like.”

That’s all the confirmation I need. I type the message and then hand him the phone. He reads it and nods.

“Looks good to me…sheesh, I told you to tell him you were leaving, not tear his heart out and stomp on it. Oh well, good enough.”

He sends the message and then tucks my phone away in his coat pocket. I sit back, staring sullenly out the window.

I hope that when Dane gets my message, he’ll understand what it really means.

20

DANE

Pebbles and rocks fly in a miniature avalanche as I skip down the low hill surrounding the eastern side of the campground. I hit level turf and break into a dead run. The gunshot seemed like it came from the other side of the cabin.

Could just be a hunter. But I’ve got a sick feeling that it’s not. I can’t believe I ranged that far out. I should have stayed closer to the cabin. Or better yet, never left it in the first place.

As I round the corner, I find the front door remains closed. No signs of forced entry. Just as I’m about to throw the door open and shout Selene’s name, my phone dings.

Quickly, I drag the device out and peer at the screen. A message from Selene. My hands shake so bad I almost drop the phone as I open the message.

Here’s the thing, Dane.

Ever since we hooked up, it’s clear you care more about banging me than finding my brother.

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