Page 86 of Wild Sentinel

Brooke poked her head out of the bathroom. “Hey, are you going to join me, or what?”

I looked around like she was talking to someone else. Playing innocent, I said, “Me?”

“Well, if you’d rather watch TV…”

“Nope. Shower’s good.” I sprang to my feet and pulled off my shirt as I made my way toward her.

“I’ve been cooped up in this hotel for over a month. And you’re the best looking thing I’ve seen this side of Yucca Flats.”

A modest grin curled my lips. “So, where exactly did you hide that HSM?”

“Want me to show you?” she asked with a devilish smirk.

50

After we got dirty in the shower, Brooke packed her bag, and we headed back to the Desert Moon. I changed into some fresh clothes, then we checked out of the hotel. We piled into her car and headed west back toward Los Angeles.

My stomach rumbled, but I wanted to get away from Yucca Flats.

We grabbed some burgers from a fast food joint on the edge of town, then took the Palm Valley Highway south to the 10. We stuffed our faces with double cheeseburgers and fries, slurping on diet soda. It wasn't the healthiest meal in the world, but it damn sure tasted good.

That first meal after a near-death experience is always sublime.

We ditched the burners and didn’t turn on our regular phones until we reached the city.

It was late when we got back to Los Angeles. I told Brooke how to get to Scarlett's place in the hills. With a few twists and turns, she pulled up to the gate, and I gave her the access code. The gate opened, and we drove up the driveway and parked behind the Ferrari. "Nice place."

"Why don't you come inside and meet Scarlett?” I said.

We hopped out, grabbed our bags, and stepped into the foyer. Jack had called Scarlett on the way back and told her we were coming. He neglected to tell her about the fate of the Macan.

She greeted us in the living room with concerned eyes. "Oh, my God. Are you guys okay? What happened? Did you hear about that thing in the desert? It's all over the news."

JD and I shared a guilty look.

"What thing in the desert?" he said in the most innocent voice he could summon.

She gave him a flat look. "What did you guys do?"

"You know, I've been thinking. I really like your car, but the color bothers me. You need something with a little more flash.”

Her eyes narrowed at him. "What happened to my car?”

"How about tomorrow we go get you another one?”

"What happened to my car?”

"It's better if you don't know.” He changed the subject. "I’d like you to meet Brooke.”

Brooke smiled, and the two shook hands. "It's nice to meet you. Jack's been telling me all about you. I've seen a few of your movies. I really liked them.”

"Thank you," Scarlett replied.

"You don't mind if she spends the night tonight," Jack said. "She's got nowhere else to go.”

“I can stay with my mother,” Brooke said. “I need to call her.”

“You don’t want to drive to Marina Del Ray tonight,” Jack said.