“Just get four number ones with Cokes,” Diem orders, and I’m leaning forward at her command. She might be the boss, but I can order my own food.
“Um, I want a number six,” I say, ready to kill her if she deprives me of the white-meat chicken strips instead of the soybean patty. “What about you, Rookie? You want a number six?”
Diem glares at me as Rookie plays along and looks up to read the menu. “No, I think I want a number eight. But I want Sprite. Caffeine stunts my growth.”
“He’s a growing boy,” I add, flashing her a smile. Even Clark’s lip twitches, and I’m not the only one that notices.
Her eyes slide over to him, her tone sweet as honey but no less threatening when she speaks. “What about you, Clark? What would you like?”
“A number one will be fine with me, ma’am,” he answers, like the puss he is.
I clap him on the shoulder and he tenses. “Come on, Clark. Live a little.”
He clears his throat, then pushes the button, ordering a number six for me, an eight with a Sprite for Rookie, a one for Diem, and then a ten with coffee for himself. I beam at Diem, who turns in her seat, mumbling something about us all being fucking idiots.
While we wait, Clark fidgets with his phone, then lets Diem know the room is booked. What kind of outlaw books a room, over a phone, with a place that takes reservations? He probably used a credit card that’s in his name too. Or one that’s in Dorian’s name with a little inscription below it that reads, Underground Mafia LLC.
The food comes and just the smell of it has my stomach growling. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Looking around at everyone else shoveling their food down, I guess we all were pretty damn hungry. Leave it to Diem to try and starve us out. Even though she’s eating faster than everyone else.
“Do we have some ketchup?” I ask, just to be a dick. My answer is Diem wadding up the bag and throwing it at me. I narrow my eyes on the back of her head, then search the bag and come up empty. She turns to show me the delicious ketchup on the end of her fry before giving me a wink and taking a bite. Damn, I hate her.
At the hotel, I’m surprised to find that we all have separate rooms—not that I’m complaining. But I’m a little disappointed that I’m separated from Rookie. I don’t completely trust Diem or the message on her phone, and I’d like to keep Rookie in my sights at all times. I doubt she would kill him, but I’m not putting anything past her either.
“Be ready in an hour,” she tells us, just before disappearing in her room. Clark enters his own room, not bothering to speak or even look our way.
“I think we should stay together,” I tell Rookie, and he nods in agreement. I shut my door twice, just in case someone was listening. We remain silent inside, while I throw on a black hoodie and add a couple more weapons to my body. Rookie changes into an outfit similar to mine with a full arsenal beneath his clothes. No sooner are we seated than I hear a knock on the door next to mine. I keep Rookie in place with a look and go to the door. Looking out the peephole, I can’t see anyone so I put my hand on my gun at my back and ease the door open.
Diem is standing in the hall, her eyes swinging to me in surprise. “You looking for me?” I ask, keeping most of my body inside.
She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes and walks over, glancing nervously back at the other door. “Yeah,” she says, her voice a little too high. She’d once told me she never lied. No fucking wonder . . . She sucked at it.
“What do you want, Diem?”
“I wanted to go over the plan. Can I come in?”
I shake my head. “You don’t want to go in there. Trust me.” I give her a cocky grin and her back straightens.
“We’ve been here all of ten minutes and already you have someone in your room? Who the fuck is she? The maid?” she asks, her temper rising as she throws her hands on her hips. She’s so cute when she gets all jealous.
“No. I just took a shit,” I say, deadpan. Relief floods her face along with a little embarrassment. She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing those perky little tits up for me to see.
“Okay. No biggie. I’ll just fill you in when we’re in the car.” Her brows draw together in confusion as she jerks her thumb toward the other door. “Have you seen Rookie?” she asks, trying to be nonchalant.
Damn. Could she be any more obvious? “Probably taking a shower. You need him?”
“No. I was just curious.” Oh for fuck’s sake.
“Cut the shit, Diem. What do you want with Rookie?” I ask, growing more impatient with every second that passes.