Jai's POV

I haven't been in the car that long with the girls, and they are starting to get on my last nerve. They are listening to pop music and singing off-key. The last thing I want to do while driving is listen to their crap. I would love to listen to other things.

Riley faces me as she sings the chorus of Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart." She starts strumming her stomach like a guitar, and the words become off-pitched and loud.

Looking in the rearview mirror, I see Eliana looking out the window. She hasn't said a word since I had a go at her, and I'm not used to seeing her quiet. She's usually a bubbly person who wants to joke around, but that guy changed her and not in a good. "Does anyone need a rest stop?"

"Yes," Irina says. "I need to pee. I shouldn't have drunk all that water before we left the house." She looks over at Eliana. "Eli, do you need to go to the restroom?"

Eliana shakes her head. "I'm good, but I might get a water bottle." She looks straight ahead. "How long until we get to Miami? I don't want to be in this car with you any longer, Jai?"

Looking at the dashboard, I see we've been travelling for three hours. "We have fifteen more hours together, and then you can go off and do whatever you'd like, Eliana. Or I can find a bus station, and you can catch a bus there."

Riley starts to laugh. "That's funny, Jai. She never climbs into a cab or rides the train. What makes you think she'll get on the bus?"

"I could always hope." Looking into the mirror, I see Eliana's glare. "When you return to the car, I hope your attitude has changed, Eli. I'm not going to drive to Miami with you wanting to kill me because I'm not taking advantage of you like you want me to."

"Whatever, Jai." She pulls out her lipstick and starts applying it to her lips.

Swerving the car, I see a line across her face where the lipstick didn't connect with her lips and start laughing. "That's your best look so far, Eli." Ahead of us, I see a service station and pull over.

The girls get out of the car and head inside.

When filling the car, I pay for it with a credit card and climb back into it. I park in front of the shop. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I message Chloe.

Me: How do I keep women happy on a long drive?

Chloe: Lots of chocolate and pit stops. They're going to want to use a restroom and not the bush.

Me: It will take me forever to get to Miami, then.

Chloe: Lol :P

Me: :-( You're being mean.

Chloe: I better get back to work. My boss would hate to know that I'm slacking.

Me: No, he wouldn't. He would be happy with the amount of work you're doing.

She doesn't reply to me for a bit.

Climbing out of the car, I walk into the service station and find the chocolate aisle. I buy all types of chocolate, some chips, a bottle of Coke, and some lollies for the long trip.

As I approach the counter, I see pies and sausage rolls being cooked.

I'm going to get one of each.

I bag the pie and sausage roll. I walk over to the counter and pay for my things. I walk to the car and see the girls standing around it. "I got you some chocolate." I showed them the types that I got.

Riley takes the fruit and nut, Irina takes the plain, and Eliana takes the caramel, leaving me with the different-flavoured ones.

Unlocking the door, I climb into the car and place my food on the console. I start the car and wait for the girls to get in.

My phone vibrates, and I know it's a text from Chloe. I look at the phone and open the message.

Riley leans across the console. "Is that your girlfriend, Jai?"

Moving my phone away from her prying eyes. "That's none of your business, Riley. However, I have to thank you for contacting Chloe for me. I've been talking to her every day since that day."

Chloe: Good luck with the girls. Let me know when you arrive in Miami.

Me: I will. If I need you to rescue me, would you?

Chloe: It depends.

I laugh at her response.

Riley looks at me. "What's funny?"

"Oh, something Chloe said." I pull out of the service and head towards the interstate.

At the next stop, I send Chloe a message.

Me: The chocolates are working, but the music is terrible. How can I enjoy driving with all the stupid pop music in my car?

Chloe: They're catchy songs. Just sing-a-long with them. It will make them happy.

Me: Thanks.

Chloe: Some guy is looking for you.

Me: Who?

Chloe: Knox Moretti. He came by for a drink and asked for you.

Why did Knox have to wait for me to be out of town for him to attend my club? I like it better when he warns me before arriving at my establishments.

Me: Is he still there?

Chloe: Yes,

Me: I'll get rid of him. I never wanted you to meet him this way. He should have known better than to attend my club without telling me.

Chloe: He's not bothering anyone.

Me: I don't care. Knox knows the rules about not visiting my workplace without talking to me first. Are they carrying their weapons?

Chloe: Yes,

Me: Be safe.

Scrolling through my phone, I found Knox's number and called him. Then, I stepped out of the car and walked away.

I don't want the girls to hear my conversation with Knox. When I deal with Knox and Riker, I have to act tough and scary, but I'm usually a soft teddy bear. That's the way I want those girls to remember.

Knox: Knox Moretti.

Me: What the fuck are you doing in my club?

Knox: I have to talk to one of your employees who's been stealing from me and doing everything to evade me. The only place I know I can see him is in the club. He tried to avoid me here, but that didn't work since the beautiful brown-haired waitress told me he had to take care of something.

Me: Stay away from her, Knox. She's mine.

He laughs.

Knox, I know she's yours. She's safe, Jai. I think it's best to get your men to take her home if they don't want her to witness what I'm capable of.

Me: I'm on it.

After hanging up the phone, I called Ethan's number and sent him a message.

Me: Can you walk Chloe out to the car?

Ethan: Sure,

Walking back to the car, I climbed into the driver's seat. Gripping the steering wheel, I watched as my hands turned white.

Please get out of there safely, Chloe.

Irina is the first one back from the restroom and looks at me. "Is everything alright, Jai?"

Shaking my head. "No, it's not. I just had to handle something, but it's hard when I'm here, and everything is in Los Angeles."

She places her hand on my shoulder. "Everything will turn out alright. I must remind Riker that he's doing the right thing, even though it's sometimes not true. Do you want me to drive for a bit, and you can talk to Chloe?"

"That would be great." I climb out of the driver's seat, walk to the passenger side seat, and climb in.

Pulling out my phone, I look at the messages I've been sending Chloe, and they make me smile.

The girls return a couple of minutes later. Riley climbs into the back seat but says nothing about changing seats.

Irina pulls out of the parking spot and heads back onto the interstate.

Once we're on it, I feel my phone vibrate. I pulled it out and saw a message from Chloe.

Chloe: I made it home.

Me: That's good. Have a good night, Chloe.

Chloe: You, too. Night.

I put my phone in my pocket and close my eyes.