Constance thought she could finally stop looking over her shoulder. She has a steady job as a hairstylist, rents a small apartment next door to her best friend, and keeps a routine that distracts her just enough to not have to dwell on her past.
All...
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"We're about three miles from the warehouse." Nick says while taping on his tablet.
I spent the entire drive from New York to Florida in the back of the eighteen wheeler reading the instructions that came with the tank. I know! A freaking tank comes with instructions but the blender Michael got me last holiday didn't. . .
"We should stop here and see if all my reading has done me any good." I toss the pamphlet across the cramped space.
Nick is the only one who knows the whole plan. He's helped me put the finishing touches on everything while watching Eli for me. It's nice to have someone help out. For a while I consider telling Michael but he would just try to stop me and as far as Nate goes, he's still stewing from his car exploding.
"Hey Nate, can we pull over here?" This is where we set the plan in motion.
Without looking at me or saying anything, he pulls the eighteen wheeler to the curb and puts it in park. We all climb out and stretch our sore limbs when Michael corners me.
"Okay Constance, this is where you let me in on what's happening." He is standing in my way with the big truck to my back.
I shake my head. "No. We all have our jobs to do. Nick is watching the satellite, Nate is listening in on my wire and you are-"
"-Going with you."
"No! Look I can't have any distractions while I'm. . . doing what I have to do." I sigh.
"You can't even tell me what you're doing! Why? Because it's dangerous? Because it could kill you? Why won't you let me help you Connie?" He half yells at me.
I've never seen Michael act like this before but I do understand. We're family and the past few months he's watched me heal from the damage Handle put me through. I get why he is so upset but this isn't about him or me. This is about saving Luca and as far as I'm concerned that is all that matters. Besides, this is kind of my last option and if it doesn't work out, I'm dead anyways. There's no reason to bring him or the twins down with me.
"You can't stop me."
He looks at me and offers a small smile. "I know."
We stand toe to toe, neither of us backing down. I am on a tight schedule because who knows how long Eli will be at the warehouse so I need to get going. All of this is actually going through my mind while staring at my best friend in front of me.
"I'm not trying to stop you." He whispers. "I want to protect you if I can. Please."
His eyebrows are scrunched up and his lips are in a hard line when he asks me again. How can I say no to that face?
"Fine." I throw up my hands in exasperation. "But I'm driving."
He jumps up and down like a little kid who won a prize but I don't celebrate with him. I'm wearing my big girl pants today and I need to act like I can do this, even if I'm not fully confident. Fake it until you believe you can make it.
