Adrian’s smile was loose and easy; his eyes looked worried, and flicked over to Neil really quick before locking back on Makayla. “No, never heard of him until just now. But I assumed…that was the guy you’re seeing?” He raised his eyebrows.
Makayla nodded, still curious over his reaction. Adrian smiled at her answer, then casually tilted his head. “So, how long has he been gone?”
Wondering why he really wanted to know, she told him, “A few days now…”
That familiar ache in her stomach tightened but Makayla ignored it as she focused on Adrian’s reaction. His eyes lifted to the window beside them, his brow slightly furrowed. “Interesting,” he muttered. He seemed puzzled for a second, then he looked over to Neil. When his eyes came back to Makayla’s, there was definite worry there. “Was he in any kind of trouble?”
Makayla bit her lip, her stomach flipping in anxiety. “Yes, I think so.” She felt her eyes sting, but blinked back the tears to watch Adrian. If he somehow knew something…
Adrian ran a hand over his jaw, his eyes still flicking over to Neil on occasion. Shrugging, he told her, “Well, I’m sure he’s fine…I’m sure he’ll turn up soon.”
Adrian swallowed and Makayla was positive that he knew something. Excusing himself, he turned to leave the table. Neil sighed as he left. Makayla stood up. She started to follow the man, to demand an explanation for his strange reactions, but an arm reached out and held her back. Neil had his eyebrows raised as he firmly gripped her forearm. “What are you doing?”
Makayla pursed her lips. “He’s holding back…he knows something about what happened to Chance.”
Neil rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, Mack.” He pointed to where Adrian had disappeared. “How would he know your boyfriend?”
Makayla yanked her arm back. “I just…” her face and voice softened. “I just need to know if he knows where he is…”
Neil sighed, watching her face fall. Shrugging, he shook his head. “He doesn’t know him…I’ve never heard him mention him.” He swallowed after he said that, maybe remembering their time together. Makayla patted his shoulder in sympathy, then turned to track down Adrian.
She heard his voice before she saw him. He was in the same short hallway that she’d stumbled across him before. He sounded like he was on the phone again too. More boyfriend issues? Or was he talking to someone that might know where Chance was? Pressing herself against the wall, Makayla listened without letting herself get caught.
“Where is he?” A long pause, then Adrian’s voice came back. “Don’t give me your bullshit! What did you do to him, Garrett?”
His voice was cold and hard, but that wasn’t what shocked Makayla. Adrian knew Chance’s brother? What the hell? Her heart hammering, she listened to the conversation that she just knew would end with the revelation of Chance’s fate.
“Is he alive?”
Another long pause. Makayla’s heart felt like it was going to break her ribcage it was pounding so hard. She bit her lip, her eyes stinging. Please say yes…
“Okay…where is he?”
Makayla slapped her hand over her mouth to stop the sob of relief she wanted to make. He was alive…his brother hadn’t killed him. She listened harder, wanting to know where he was just as much as Adrian. And how the hell did Adrian know him?
Adrian made some agreeing noises, like he was listening to a story being told. Makayla wanted to grunt in frustration. She needed an address, not a bunch of, “Yeah, okays.” When she was just about ready to walk around the corner and snatch the phone from Adrian so she could ask Garrett herself, Adrian finally said, “You just left him there, in the courtyard?”
Makayla perked up. Courtyard? What courtyard? Where?
Adrian sighed, then muttered, “Jesus, Garrett. Are you sure he was still breathing?”
Makayla felt her eyes sting. He was hurt…really hurt. Maybe he was at a hospital. Maybe he was on life support! That would explain his absence. A tear silently rolled down her cheek as she listened.
Adrian was silent a moment, then spat out, “You’re insane, you know that, right?” Makayla narrowed her eyes, agreeing with Adrian. She listened for more, but it sounded like Adrian ended the call. She could hear him pacing and wondered if she should interrogate him. He obviously knew much more than he was telling.
Just as she was about to reveal herself, she heard Adrian mutter, “Damn it, Chance…what are you doing?” Sighing, he stopped moving. Makayla strained her ears to hear above the din of the nearby kitchen. After a second of silence from Adrian, his voice finally came back. “Hey, it’s me…thanks for finally picking up. What the hell is going on?”
Makayla’s heart started pounding again. Was he talking to Chance? Had he gotten through to him? Makayla had tried, and while his phone was ringing again, he never picked up…not once. Wondering exactly what Adrian was wondering, she listened as hard as humanly possible.
“Don’t tell me everything is fine…I talked to Garrett.” A long pause, then, “Where are you? I need to talk to you face to face.”
Makayla straightened. This was it. She’d finally learn where Chance was hiding from his brother. And for some reason, from her.
“Yeah, okay, I know where that is. I get off work in a few hours, I’ll see you then.” Makayla wanted to curse, why couldn’t he just verbally confirm the address? Damn it, she’d been so close. She was just about to walk over and rip the phone away from Adrian…again…when he spoke. “Makayla let it slip that you were gone…she’s debating calling the cops.” He laughed once. “Yeah, you’d better hope she doesn’t.”
Makayla paused and narrowed her eyes. What was that supposed to mean? Cocking her head, she listened as Adrian’s voice softened. “She’s worried…but seems alright. Feisty as ever.” Adrian laughed again, and Makayla imagined that she could hear Chance laughing as well. Just as she was about to make her move, she heard Adrian say, “See you in a few. Bye.”
Makayla quickly moved away from the hallway. She’d missed her opportunity to talk to Chance directly, but there was another opportunity here, if she didn’t blow it. Acting as nonchalant as possible, she headed back to where Neil was waiting for her. He bunched his brows as she sat down.
“So?”
Makayla paused, wondering if she should tell her friend the truth or not. Knowing that he’d never approve to her reckless idea, she shrugged. “You’re right, he wouldn’t know him…I didn’t even ask.”
It was the truth, sort of. She hadn’t asked…she hadn’t needed to. Adrian did know Chance…and Garrett. And Makayla had no idea how that was possible. But she was going to find out.
A few hours later, Makayla was back at Driftwood, but without Neil this time. Sitting in her car, she watched Adrian’s vehicle down the street. Wringing the wheel over and over, Makayla waited as impatiently as she could for Adrian’s shift to be over. It was torture, the waiting, but this was the only way Makayla knew to find Chance. Adrian was meeting with him tonight. For some reason, Neil’s ex boyfriend was special enough to see him, but not Makayla. She wanted to know why. And following Adrian was her ticket to an explanation.
She slunk down in her seat when she saw Adrian leave the front doors of Driftwood. He glanced up and down the street, but Makayla was quite a ways back from the entrance. She was even farther from his car. Watching his tall, lean form closely, she sat up as he headed away from her, towards his car near the end of the street. Ducking inside, he instantly started it. Makayla started hers at the same time. She let him merge onto the street before her. She even let a couple of cars pass her before she started following him. Exhaling slowly, Makayla hoped that Chance’s lessons had paid off; she hoped she could do this. Following complete strangers was one thing. Following Adrian, who was somehow mixed up in all of this, was another.
His car was an average black sedan, but Makayla kept a close eye on it. She made a note of his license plate, so she’d know she was following the right black sedan. He shifted into the left
lane, but Makayla stayed where she was. Follow without mimicking. It paid off, he shifted back to the right and made an immediate right turn. Curious why he’d drive that way, Makayla slowed, then eventually followed him.
He was gone.
Makayla cursed, thinking she’d lost him. But searching the side streets, she eventually found him again, and casually turned to follow. Squinting, she could just make out the license plate; she had the right car. Relaxing, Makayla watched him make a couple of quick lane changes. She stayed where she was. Using that instinct that Chance had praised her for, she turned into a left hand lane just moments before he did.
Exhaling that her gut had been right, she relaxed even more as she waited a car behind him for her turn. From there, following him was easy. When he eventually pulled into his destination—a rundown motel—Makayla drove past the entrance. She pulled into the entrance next door, a fast-food chain with several cars in the lot.
Looking behind her as she parked, she could just see Adrian getting out of his car and looking around. He didn’t notice her and strode over to one of the doors. He knocked on it, then waited for a few moments with his head down. Makayla gasped when the door opened. Even though she was far away, she knew that it was Chance behind that door. Just his being alive sent her heart into overdrive. But then a spike of anger flooded her. What was going on? Why was he hiding from her? Why did he let Adrian inside? And what the hell did Adrian have to do with…anything?
Confused and irritated, Makayla stormed across the lot to get her answer. A light breeze swept over her, cooling her heated cheeks and making her long, straight hair tangle in a nearby bush. Cursing to herself, Makayla unfastened the snarl and hiked her way through the small berm separating the motel from the fast-food place. Chance had a lot of explaining to do. Chance and Adrian both. She wasn’t going to let either of them escape her until she was satisfied.
Striding past Adrian’s car, Makayla stormed right up to the door and pounded on it. She heard the voices inside hush, felt a tension building through the door. Wondering if anyone was going to let her in, she snapped, “It’s me, Colton…open the goddamn door.”
She heard a distinct curse, then she heard the lock on the door slide out of place. His lips twisted in a frown, Chance finally filled her vision. The anger that had built up in Makayla on her journey over here paled at seeing him. His boy-next-door face was gone. He looked more like he’d been an extra in the movie Fight Club. But his wounds weren’t cleverly misleading makeup. No, his wounds were real. Still not able to speak, Makayla let her fingers drift over the healing cut in his cheek, the yellowing bruise surrounding both eyes, the swollen bridge of his nose. And those were just the wounds she could see. By the way he held his side, she was sure he was just as damaged all over.
Tears sliding down her cheeks, Makayla shook her head. “What happened?”
Chance sighed and opened the door wider. “Come on in, Makayla. I’ll explain everything.”
Chapter 14
A Moment of Truth
Chance was irritated. Chance was impressed. Chance had a new problem to solve. Adrian. In his foolish attempt to interfere in a con that no longer involved him, Adrian had led Makayla right to Chance’s door step. That really wasn’t too much of an issue, since Chance had planned on showing back up at her place tomorrow evening, but it did present yet another challenge that Chance hadn’t been prepared for. How did he explain Adrian?
Makayla edged past him, into the room. Her eyes seemed mainly concerned for Chance’s well being, but he also saw the lingering anger and suspicion. Things weren’t adding up for her; that was a problem. Makayla wasn’t the type of girl to let coincidences slide. She would keep at it until she’d figured out the puzzle. And this puzzle had to be carefully sculpted, otherwise it might blow up in Chance’s face.
Her eyes drifted over the cracked and faded wallpaper, the questionably clean covers, unused and piled in a corner, the clean, white sheets that Chance had laid down on the bed this morning—Chance had learned early in his life to never use motel bedding…always pack your own sheets. Shaking her head, she took in the general gloominess of the cheap room. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes shifted focus to stare at Adrian sitting in a chair by the bathroom door. “What are you doing here?”
Adrian stood, recognizing his cue to leave. Chance had barely had time to explain things to him before Makayla had pounded on the door. He’d only reiterated that this was the best-case scenario to keep the bank employees safe. And that was really all Adrian cared about. He may have chosen to retire from the life, but he didn’t care if others lived it. He cared about Neil. “I’ll leave you guys alone…”
He slunk around to the door and Chance opened it. Best if he left quick; the less questions Makayla asked about him, the better. Makayla wasn’t about to let him go so easily though. She pointed at Adrian, her eyes narrowed to daggers. “Stay,” she commanded.
The authority in her voice was unmistakable and Adrian paused, staring at her wide-eyed. Chance contained the prideful smile he felt forming. That was his girl…badass in training. Adrian glanced at Chance and Chance opened the door a little wider. “I’ll call you later.” He raised his eyebrows in an equally authoritative way. Makayla may want Adrian around, but this was Chance’s con, and Chance wanted him gone.
Being a former con man himself, Adrian understood, and moved to slide past him. Makayla took a step forward. “Hey, I have questions for you!”
Adrian glanced back at her. “I have questions too, Makayla, but sometimes we don’t get the things we want from life…you have to learn to accept that.” With those morbid words, Adrian slipped out the door. Chance wanted to sigh at the man. Honestly, Chance was keeping Neil as far from the con as possible…Adrian didn’t need to worry about him so much. Chance understood though. If another con man was messing around while Makayla was there…he’d worry too.
Chance locked the door once Adrian left the room. Makayla put her hands on her hips. “I wasn’t done with him.”
Chance grinned, the dull ache still permeating his body lightening at seeing her peeved expression. “It’s me you want to talk to, Makayla, not Adrian.”
She frowned, her hands lowering. Stepping his way, her eyes took in the sight of him; they glistened with fresh tears. Chance was instantly glad that she hadn’t seen him right after the attack; she’d have drug him to a hospital for sure.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
Chance nodded. Bruised and sore, but nothing serious was broken, so ultimately, yes, he was okay. He tilted his head at the ingenious girl before him. “You trailed Adrian, didn’t you?”
A corner of Makayla’s lip lifted as she stepped closer to him. She modestly shrugged and Chance chuckled. “I taught you too well.”
Stepping before him, Makayla cupped his cheek. “Why were you hiding from me? Why wouldn’t you answer your calls, or leave me some sort of message.” Her voice trembled as Chance swallowed back the guilt at having given her such a scare. It had been necessary though. “I was so scared for you.”
Chance shook his head, hating himself. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you…” Yes, actually he had meant to. “I just didn’t want you to see me this way. I didn’t want you to panic…and take me to the hospital or the cops…” That was true. He didn’t need either of those departments examining his life too closely.
Makayla sighed and placed a light kiss on his jaw. “Why not, Chance? You were victimized…that’s exactly what they’re there for.” A tear fell down her beautiful cheek as she stuttered on her words. “They’re there to help…you don’t have to do this on your own.”
Chance shook his head. “Not for guys like me, Makayla.” An edge of bitterness entered his voice as he considered all of the times he’d had to endure pain and injustice on his own. But, that was the life he’d signed up for. No, no that was the life he’d been given. Sighing, Chance relaxed his rigid features. “The hospital would ask what had been done to me.
The cops would demand to know who had done it.” He shook his head morosely. “I wouldn’t have been able to come up with a convincing lie under scrutiny like that…and I can’t…” He looked down, sighing again as he lied through his teeth. “I can’t turn stool pigeon on my brother.” He peeked up at her. “He’d kill me, Makayla…look at what he did to me just for stealing from him.”
Makayla swallowed, more tears escaping her eyes as she looked over the damage that had been done. A knot twisted in Chance’s belly. He hated duping her in this way. Lying about his intentions, his name, and his history was bad enough, but forcing this level of sympathy and worry upon her…that was worse. It couldn’t be helped, it couldn’t be stopped, but he hated it nonetheless.
Makayla leaned up to kiss him, then stopped herself before her lips pressed against his. “How do you know Adrian?”
Chance bit his lip, careful to not disturb the healing rip along the edge. How did he explain that connection? Considering something about his character, Colton Burke, he narrowed his eyes at Makayla. “How do you know Adrian?”