Raw Redemption (Crossing the Line #4)(24)

Erin lowered her legs from around his waist. “Thank you, baby.” She winked at Ailish, exertion showing in her striking face. “Let’s go.”

Ailish and Erin followed a marked path down to the lake’s edge, Erin having produced a Zippo lighter from her pocket to illuminate the path. It didn’t escape Erin’s notice that a shiny silver Ruger was stuffed into the back of Erin’s waistband, but decided not to question it. After all, Ailish had her own Glock tucked inside the deep pocket of her jacket.

“Are you and Connor…always like that?”

“Like what? Ready to bang?” Erin’s smile looked spooky in the orange glow of the lighter. “Pretty much. Ain’t it grand?”

Ailish’s laugh was swallowed by the darkness. “Yes. I guess it is.”

They reached the shore of the lake and headed toward the lit picnic area in the distance, the wet gravel crunching under their feet. “Have you and Henrik checked each other’s oil yet?”

“What?” Ailish winced at her high pitch. “I—we only met yesterday.”

Erin appeared to find that answer amusing. “Don’t worry. Connor and I didn’t wait long before checking under each other’s hoods, either.” A touch of seriousness entered her expression. “People like us—cons—we’ve seen how fast good things get taken away. We move on a different schedule than everyone else.”

“Henrik isn’t a con,” Ailish said. “Even though he did something wrong, I know cons. I’ve lived with them all my life. He wouldn’t have committed a crime without a good reason.”

The blonde glanced over, eyes full of speculation. “He hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what?”

Erin stooped down and snatched up a piece of driftwood, running the flame of her lighter along the underside. “Sorry. It’s not my story to tell. Would you settle for hearing about the time I robbed a clown college while it was in session? Talk about a circus.”

Ailish laughed, despite being denied access once again to the knowledge she wanted so badly. Having another person—a woman her age—to speak with was too priceless, though, and she wouldn’t squander the opportunity. Who knew when she might get another one? Breeze blew hair in Ailish’s face, and she didn’t even bother pushing it behind her ear as Erin relayed a crazy tale that couldn’t possibly be true. By the time Erin finished the story, Ailish’s cheeks hurt from smiling.

“You did not get away on a unicycle.”

“Hey, you use what you’ve got.” Erin shivered. “And what I’ve got is nightmares. Word to the wise, if you’ve ever got a dozen clowns in full makeup chasing you? Don’t look back.”

“I’ll try to remember that,” Ailish murmured. Dammit, they only had about two minutes before they needed to be back at the cabin. Just enough time to push for some kind of information. Most pressing of which was… “So. Where did Henrik go?”

As if she’d been expecting the question, Erin showed no reaction. “Back to Chi-town to handle some business. He’ll be back in the morning.” Using the lighter, Erin flickered the light beneath her chin, making her face look like a jack-o’-lantern. “Unless something terrible happens.”

Ailish’s stomach tumbled out onto the gravel. “Just when I was starting to like you,” she managed as Erin chuckled. “I gathered he went back to Chicago, but what is he doing there?”

Erin stopped at the entrance to the path, conflict in the lines of her body. “Look, I don’t agree with our captain’s call to keep you in the dark until we have your agreement to cooperate. If they pulled that shit with me, I’d have already split and left a bonfire behind. We’re asking you to work with us, but Derek is too busy worrying you’ll end up working against us.” She took a rubber band out of her pocket and fixed her blond hair up in a ponytail, her movements jerky. “I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but your father is kind of a dick.”

“I’m aware.”

Erin’s lips twitched. “Right. Well, Derek is worried about your loyalties potentially shifting. Out of fear or…paternity.” She turned and started up the path. “But he hasn’t met you like we have, so I’m making a judgment call.”

Fighting the impulse to cheer over the badass liking her enough to break a few rules, Ailish drew even with Erin. “Thanks, I appreciate that. Don’t feel pressured, though, okay? If you don’t want to tell me anything—”

“Are you actually trying to talk me out of enlightening you?” Erin’s face was a mask of disbelief. “How’d you manage to stay this way in your father’s world?”

A pang struck Ailish in the chest. “Henrik said the same thing.”

They completed the rest of the path in silence. Erin lingered at the end, but stopped walking as they could both see Connor in the distance and she obviously had more to say. “Henrik went back to Chicago for a fight.” She used one finger to push Ailish’s dropped chin back up. “Your father has been taking a heavier interest in his gambling operation. Since you left, actually.” Erin eyed her a moment, but shook herself and continued. “Henrik is planning on getting some face time with the man. A disgraced cop could be a valuable asset to a man like Caine. All that intel, friends in the department…”