Page 156 of Hard Rain

“You’re impossible.”

“Nah.”

Axel reached over, squeezed the back of his neck for a second.

“You’re stuck with me.”

Whip looked back out at the rain.

“Obviously,” he agreed quietly.

“So…food?”

He chuckled. “Jack’s is still open.”

“It’s in Paisley.”

“Or, gas-station hot dogs?” Whip asked with a laugh. He couldn’t resist.

“You are asking for it.” Axel shot him a look.

“Is that right?” The innuendo lingered in his voice.

Axel stared at him and adjusted himself. “Yeah, that’s right.”

“Okay, no gas station food. I think there’s a diner called Molly’s off Hwy 31.”

“We hit the house first.”

“Yes,” Whip agreed.

The address on the GPS counted steadily downward.

Ten minutes.

Whoever was waiting at the next house had no idea their night had just changed. Forever.

CLEAN UP

The last address turned out to be exactly what the list promised.

Three women.

Two teenage boys.

One frightened little girl who hadn’t spoken a word since the deputies carried her outside.

Knox and Grant reached the front door seconds after Whip and Axel, having cleared the previous address with nothing but an empty house and a handful of evidence.

One look inside this place was enough.

“Jesus,” Knox muttered.

Axel barely heard him.

“You fuck!” he growled, launching across the room and grabbing the perp by the back of his neck, slamming him face down into the carpet.

He ground the fucker’s face into the filthy, matted material.