Free Highways & Hostages by Jax Abbey Page B

there,” the fiancé answered.
    Intrigued, Finn listened. It seemed Stella was on a short leash where the fiancé was concerned.
    “I’m sorry, hon. Things were a little hectic leaving today.”
    “Is everything okay?”
    “Derek, I’m fine. But actually, I’m going to have to cancel on tonight. Something’s come up.”
    “What? Is Phoebe okay? Can I help?” Derek asked.
    Stella glanced over her shoulder at Finn, who quickly glanced away. “Phoebe’s fine. I just…have to go out of town for a few days and I didn’t want you to worry. Actually, I’m taking Phoebe to a spa in Arizona.”
    “Arizona? You haven’t said anything about a trip before, babe. You haven’t even taken a day off from work in months.”
    “I just need some time to get away and think, okay? Some time to myself.”
    “Stella Sunshine, talk to me. What’s really going on? You don’t sound like yourself.” There was a pause. “Is it my mom? Is it me? Is it something I did? Something I didn’t do? At least let me come over to see you two off.”
    “Derek, no,” Stella said firmly. “I just need a break. Look, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
    “Where is this spa? How long are you staying?”
    “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? Love you!” Stella quickly hung up the phone and put it in the pocket of her dirndl.
    “Sorry, but I’m going to need that back,” Finn said.
    “But I need to call my boss, and Valerie—”
    “You can call from the road.” Finn waved the gun. “Give it back.”
    Stella scowled and handed over her phone, then eyed the gun pointedly. “I already agreed to help you.”
    Finn put the pistol away. “We need to get this show on the road.”
    “Well, I’m not going in this!” Stella exclaimed, gesturing at her work uniform. “And I need to pack.”
    “Get to it then! We need to be out of here within the hour so we can get a good deal away before we stop for the night.”
    Stella rolled her eyes. “Wait here. I’ll go change and throw some stuff in a bag.”
    Finn started to reach around for his gun.
    Stella held up her hands and wiggled them. “I know, I know. No funny business.”

BILLY, 11:03 P.M.
    “These are the best burritos in town,” Billy said as he accepted the foil-wrapped package through the window of the Mi Abuela’s Burritos food truck. He passed it over to Phoebe, who stared at him with a suspicious look on her face. He accepted the second burrito, placed a hand on the small of Phoebe’s back, and steered her away from the truck.
    Billy thought the evening was going pretty well so far. Phoebe had been impressed when he picked her up on his motorcycle—he knew she would be, because all girls were—and brought her to an outdoor music festival in the park. It wasn’t his type of music—some electronic shit that sounded like a broken washing machine. He preferred his beats hard and gritty, but Phoebe seemed to enjoy it…or at least she had until Finn’s phone call. Billy unwrapped his burrito and sniffed it.
    “You didn’t answer me the first time, so I’m going to ask again. Why does my half sister have your number?” Phoebe stared up at him with a hard look on her face.
    Billy took a huge bite of his burrito and took his time chewing so he could think. What excuse could he give her to get that look off her face? At the very least he needed some kind of distraction. He thought the burritos might do it, but Phoebe’s dangled from her fingers, forgotten.
    Phoebe crossed her arms. “Did she put you up to babysitting me or something? This is so unbelievable.”
    “No! Of course not…” Billy trailed off. “She was on a date with my friend Finn. He told her I was out on a date with you. And you know how older siblings are: all in your business and trying to convince you they know best.”
    Phoebe frowned. “Not really; Stella wasn’t around when I was growing up. I thought me coming out here would bring us together, but anyway…” She pointed the