how much he enjoyed the thought of Miranda talking to the managers. It would risk her job and her life. Especially if Pete found out.
Before he could voice his concern, though, Naomi butted in, “So, how do we call off Pete's dogs until then?”
“Short of death, will they leave you alone?” Miranda added, turning her attention to the men.
Jack answered with a derisive snort. “Doubtful.”
“Then you guys have to die,” Miranda stated, in a matter-of-fact tone. She hastily added, as shock descended, “Or appear to die.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The twilight kissed the horizon, painting everything with shades of yellow and pink. Jack and Tyler slowly made their way through the airport's parking garage. Airplanes roared in the background, hissing and screaming down runways before thundering into the sky. The noise sliced an edge through Tyler's thoughts.
With every step he took, he recounted the plan in excruciating detail. The women were dropped off at the airport at five, allegedly to board a seven o'clock flight routed to Germany. She'd texted Mike Franklin – Baldie's identity, as relayed by Lloyd – and let him know their pre-determined route out of Legacy.
His heart hiccupped with every movement he made. He hated this plan. It was one thing when his life was on the line. Nothing special would be lost if he died. Jack had Naomi and a kid on the way. Miranda had a job and a life. Everyone else had too much at stake if something in this plan spiraled out of control.
“I don't like this, Jack,” Tyler muttered as he made his way to his hog. He picked up his helmet and plopped it on to his head, wriggling it on. He kept his voice low, not wanting his aversions to echo off the parking garage walls.
Jack nodded, his voice equally low as he swung onto his bike. “I know, Ty.”
“What if something goes wrong?” He saw any number of worst-case scenarios paint the inside of his eyelids. Miranda could have genuinely double-crossed them. The plan could fail, horribly, leaving them meaty streaks on the highway. Lloyd could feel he has more to gain siding with Pete. Tyler's stomach flipped at the very thoughts.
“We need to have faith it'll work out,” Jack sighed.
A pang of guilt licked across the insides of Tyler's thoughts. His brother was just as anxious when it came to Naomi. He couldn't even imagine the strain the thought of the baby put on Jack. For the moment, Tyler could swallow his concerns. Just as he revved his motorcycle to life, Tyler yelled over the reverberated roar, “Yeah, you're right, Jack.”
Together, the two of them peeled out of the parking garage. From the shadows, leather-clad figures stirred. Pulling away from the darkness, a little slower and a little calmer, the strangers exchanged glances. Matching scowls curled their lips into downward arcs. After trading harsh glares and nods, the two men rolled out of the parking lot, heading after Jack and Tyler.
* * *
Silence funneled into the cabin. No one seemed to like the concept of 'having' to die. Even appearance-wise, it sounded rather permanent and painful. But gears turned in their heads. Faked deaths would certainly get Pete off their butts, even if it were temporary.
“That bald guy said we can turn you in,” Naomi sheepishly stated, as if were treason to reiterate his offer. “I don't think he could handle you both alone, so do you know any other guys in the area?”
“Lloyd and his men.” Tyler answered, nodding his head. A plan was beginning to piece together in his head. If they could get Lloyd in on the scheme, just maybe he and Jack could make it out alive. “Pete still doesn't know Lloyd's double-crossed him.”
“We'll need someone to go with Baldie as he follows you,” stated Miranda, excitement coursing through her veins. Everything was falling into place. They may even pull this off. “Can we count on Lloyd to help?”
Jack and