Page 60 of Paradise & Vodka
"I'm sure they can find out anything they want with the right people on their side. I'm almost certain the shuttle driver who left us on the side of the road was in on it," I indicated.
"Was it a woman?" Joss asked.
I arched my brow. "No?"
"The owner of the land is a woman."
"It has to be a family business then," Paul suggested.
"Why do you say that?" Ashleigh wondered.
"All the people keeping guard were men, and it makes sense that the mom would be on the deed, and her sons are the muscle."
"Her sons are probably the shuttle driver and the leader guy," I stated.
"Do you think the shuttle driver was killed too?" Ashleigh asked.
I lifted a shoulder. "I hope so. I hope whoever was in on it knows they fucked with the wrong people."
"I'll look into the employees of the resort," Joss said. "Hopefully, that will give us answers."
I nodded, even though I was hoping that Everleigh had some answers to give too. I was going to grill her hard about why she wanted to leave without her new fucking husband.
Ashleigh and Joss went into the center while Paul and I waited in the SUV. There was no real reason for me to go inside since we knew her family was waiting for us to pick them up. Of course, Paul took the opportunity to ask me about the bet.
"You own me a grand."
"For what?" I asked, even though I knew what he was talking about.
"You're in love with Ashleigh."
I laughed. "No, I'm not."
He turned in his seat and faced me. "Bullshit. I see it in the way you look at her."
"I don't look at her any differently than the way I look at you, or anyone else for that matter."
Paul chuckled. "Right. Keep telling yourself that, but you're wrong."
"Maybe it's because we just went through some shit together, and she almost died in front of me."
He thought for a moment. "That could be, but I will go double or nothing that once we get back to Vegas, you two will begin dating for real."
Before I realized it, I was sticking out my hand to shake on the bet. "Deal."
Paul turned back around, and we were silent as we continued to wait. I didn't care what he thought, I didn’t love Ashleigh. I cared about her a lot, but that wasn't love. And what I said to Paul was true: I almost saw her get killed in front of me. That shit would make anyone have more compassion for a person.
Though, as I sat in the backseat waiting, I realized I was a fucking liar.
After Ashleigh and her family got into the vehicle, Paul started the engine and drove toward the airport where the plane was waiting.
"You two smell," Everleigh stated, looking back at Ashleigh and me. We were in the third row of seats, while Everleigh and their parents had the middle row.
I didn't think they knew we had been held captive or why Joss and Paul were here. I was leaving that up to Ashleigh to tell, and she did.
"Aren't you curious who these people are and how we have a plane waiting?" Ashleigh asked.
Everleigh started to open her mouth and then closed it. Finally, she said, "Actually, yes. Sorry. I thought you hired them to take us home since the airport was washed out. I didn't know they were important."
