SIX MONTHS (A Seven Series Novel)

“Go have some fun. It’ll only be an hour and I’d rather you go than sit around being bored. It’s not like we’re attached at the hip,” I said with a short laugh. “Lynn stuffed one of my paperbacks in her purse, so I’m going to catch up on my reading.”

 

 

He kissed my neck, working his way to my mouth, giving me second thoughts.

 

“I know what you’re up to, Reno. Cut it out and go play.”

 

“You sure?”

 

I smiled at him with closed lips, feeling melancholy. “Yeah. I’m sure. Maybe next time I’ll be able to join you guys.”

 

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he wondered more than asked.

 

My heart sank. Reno kissed me and walked off, giving me another glance before rounding the corner. I could still smell his cologne on me and already missed the rough feel of his hand against my skin.

 

I’d been considering Maddox’s offer. It seemed like a crazy bargain, but he came from a different world. Maddox was giving me an opportunity to get my feet on the ground, and it had nothing to do with a physical relationship. I still had a substantial amount of debt to clear with him and that weighed heavily on my conscience. Lexi wanted to hand Sweet Treats over to me, but she still had to get the new store up and running, so the transition wouldn’t be immediate. Even still, I didn’t want to take over a business with all the debt I had incurred. We hadn’t discussed details, like what percentage of the business I would own, if any. Maddox had said that each day that I delayed giving him my decision would cost me.

 

As for Sanchez, Reno had questioned two of Delgado’s men for information. He hadn’t talked about it with me and I’d learned the details from Lexi, who’d heard it through Austin. I was afraid for Reno’s safety and I’d do anything to keep him from getting hurt. He would probably lose interest in me if I went with Maddox, and maybe then he’d stop searching for Sanchez. It didn’t feel right to expect a man who had already done so much for me to continue risking his life.

 

“Miss April?”

 

“I glanced to my left and Maizy was sticking her tongue through the tiny gap where one of her bottom baby teeth used to be.

 

“Where’s your mom?”

 

“In the bathroom. She told me to stand here with you.”

 

“Sit down, sweetie,” I said, patting the chair beside me. “Are you having fun?”

 

“Uh-huh. But I can’t get enough tickets to get the ring I want. I spent all my money, and that means we’re going home. Mr. Reno sometimes gives me extra, but he’s not here.”

 

She was upset, holding about ten tickets in her hand. I suspected Lynn wasn’t letting her spend too much in there, and I knew how to work those machines from a misspent youth at the Nickel Arcade.

 

I had a few bills in my back pocket, so I grabbed my crutches and swung my feet toward the game room. “Come on, Maizy. Let’s get you that ring.”

 

 

 

I found one of the games notorious for spitting out obscene amounts of tickets if you hit the right spot. A light would flash around in a circle and you had to stop it between certain slots to earn rewards. I worked my magic and within minutes, Maizy had a wad of tickets and a priceless smile.

 

“Is that enough?” she asked excitedly.

 

“Go take it to the counter and have the man count it.”

 

She ran off before I could ask her about Lynn. I looked around at the tables and didn’t see her anywhere.

 

The bathroom was within sight, so I went in.

 

“Lynn? Are you okay? I’ll watch over Maizy if you aren’t feeling well,” I called out. “Lynn?”

 

I peered down to look beneath the stall doors on the right. “Oh my God, Lynn!”

 

I threw down the crutches and hopped to the far stall. The door was semi-closed, so I pushed it open and found Lynn slumped against the wall. Bright blood trickled down her face from a cut on her head.

 

“Lynn, can you hear me? Did you fall?” I shook her a little and when her eyelids fluttered, I breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Until I heard a click behind my head.

 

I turned my head and saw an unfamiliar man aiming a gun at me.

 

“Sanchez sent us to keep an eye on you.”

 

Holy smokes, this isn’t happening.

 

“Where is he?”

 

The man tugged on his black goatee and I couldn’t read his expression because of the black baseball hat pulled over his eyebrows. I hadn’t realized how important eyebrows were when it came to facial expressions. “He’s killing your boyfriend.”

 

I opened my mouth to scream and he bent over. “My friend is watching over that sweet little girl, so keep your mouth shut or we’ll drive her out to the lake and throw her in.”

 

Adrenaline poured through my body, mixing with fear and anger.

 

“If you want to sit and think about it, I’ll put a hole in her head,” he said, waving the gun at Lynn. “Now get up before someone comes in here. Just remember that my friend has the girl, so do exactly as I say.”

 

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