Mick closed the computer and went back into the living room. “Hey, Sam. How do you feel about a road trip? We’ll make the drop and take off right afterward.”

Sam’s eyes brightened. “I’ll get my stuff.” He pushed Lisa aside and disappeared down the hallway.

Mick turned to Lisa. “You’ll have to handle business for a few days.”

“Sure.” Her nod was quick and eager. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d left her in charge. Mr. K required girls to be recruited out-of-state.

He opened his tin and took out a bag. “There’s enough in there for you to have a little party when you get home each night.”

She reached for the coke.

Mick lifted it out of her grasp. “If you don’t make the totals each night, I’ll be taking the money out of your hide when I get back. If you do a good job, you’ll be rewarded. Understand?”

She nodded, eyes locked on the baggie.

He dropped it into her open palm. Her greedy fingers closed around it slowly, as if she couldn’t believe it was all hers.

“Follow my rules, do your job, and there’ll be more when I get back.” He reached out and lifted her chin until her gaze lifted to meet his. “If you don’t, I’ll know.”

Her eyes widened. Fear rimmed her irises with white. “OK, Mick.” Her voice shook.

“Jewel is being picked up Tuesday night. Make her clean up, and keep her alive until they come for her,” he instructed. “But just barely. I don’t want her to be too energetic.”

“OK.”

“I’m going to pack.” He went into his bedroom and pulled out a duffel bag. Everything he owned fit inside. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the closet. New York would be cold. On top of his clothes, he tossed the kidnapping kit: zip ties and duct tape. He grabbed an extra box of bullets and a flashlight from the top shelf of the closet. He patted his pockets. Gun, knife, check.

He paused, looking back at the bed. Just in case . . . He slid his hand under the mattress and withdrew a bundle of cash. He’d been saving his cut for months, plus skimming a little off the top each week. He tucked it in his bag.

Sam was waiting in the living room, a small duffel bag in one hand, his usual backpack in the other. “Ready.”

“What’s that?” Mick nodded toward the duffel.

“Just a few toys.” God—or maybe the devil—only knew what Sam had in that bag.

Mick reached for it, but Sam pulled it behind his back. “It’s a surprise.”