All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [53]
She needed a plan, she realized, but doubted that she would be able to come up with one that would guarantee that she and her son would both get out alive. She needed more time to think things through. The problem was that she had no leverage. She had nothing her opponent wanted or needed, while he held everything that was dear to her.
Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to leave Det. Collier—Max—out of the picture. She could definitely use some help. Her thoughts lingered on Max for a moment longer. She couldn’t defeat the wave of guilt that crashed down on her. She’d used him, plain and simple. What was even more terrible about it was she would do it all again if given the chance.
She remembered the kiss they had shared in his living room. She had sensed a real tenderness from him then and had felt a strong chemistry between them.
She shook her head. She couldn’t think about that now. Right now she needed to figure out a way to sweet-talk Bennie for an advance.
After she’d arrived at her stop, she walked quickly to the diner and used her key to the back door.
“What the hell are you doing here today?”
Kennedy jumped at the sound of Bennie’s booming voice. She pivoted with one hand covering her heart. “You scared the living daylights out of me,” she scolded.
“Whatever,” Bennie said, walking past her. “I have a million things to do.”
She followed him. “I need to talk to you about something important.”
“I can’t imagine what could’ve brought you in here on the weekend.” He looked at her suspiciously. “If it’s about requesting any more vacation time, the answer is no. I’m working with a skeleton crew as it is.”
“No, it’s not that. I—I—”
“Spit it out. I don’t have all day.”
“I need an advance.”
His gaze jerked as if she’d announced that she carried his child.
“A what?”
“Come on, Bennie. You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need it.”
He gave his head a hard shake. “You know the rules. If I gave you an advance, then everyone else will expect for me to do the same for them.” He shook his head again. “I’m running a restaurant, not a bank.”
Disappointment squeezed her heart. “I don’t have anyone else I can ask. Please.”
Bennie frowned. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
Kennedy thought about lying to him, but knew the truth would probably help her get the advance. “Trouble is a mild word for it.”
He studied her.
“You know I’m good for it.” If I survive, she wanted to add.
He still said nothing.
“No one will ever know,” she continued.
“Now that’s what I needed to hear. How much are we talking about?”
Relieved, she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s hold off on the celebration until I hear how much you need.”
“Two hundred should be enough.”
He gave her a worried look, then nodded. “All right.” He went to get the money from the safe. When he came back he asked, “Is that all I can do for you?”
She waited until he handed her the money. Then she said, “Well, I could use a ride to the bus station.”
Max’s powerful punch left a large hole in the bedroom wall. How could he have been so stupid? Had this been her plan all along? Of course it was. And if he hadn’t been so enthralled by the delectable Ms. St. James, he would have seen this coming a mile off.
He pivoted around the room, looking for a clue as to where she might have gone. Didn’t she know what kind of danger she was in? She obviously didn’t know how much power Lawrence carried on the streets. After yesterday’s attack, she had to know that she wouldn’t last a day out there on her own.
Max rushed to his closet and shoved on the first garments his hands touched. He had to find Kennedy before Lawrence did.
Before he headed for the door, he went over to the phone beside the bed. He should call Scardino and report the latest development. His shoulders slumped at the thought. She wouldn’t be thrilled by the news.
Exasperated by the realization that he really didn’t have a choice, he snatched up the phone, and then froze. Instead of