by Kyle, Celia
“I know, I know. You’ve told me ten times, Dad. I’ll believe it when I see it,” her tone much softer and more understanding than her words implied.
After all, Elissa wanted more than anything to believe her father’s claims. She wanted to accept that he had reformed, he was done with the life of crime he had led for years leading up to his latest incarceration. It still made her shudder to think about—her father, forced to stay in his human form at all times with no chance for a shift while punished for his very distinctly human crimes. Petty theft. Burglary. She was amazed they never popped him for racketeering or money laundering. There was little doubt in her mind that he had been embroiled in such affairs. She simply tried not to pry too much.
At the end of the day, he was still her father, and she didn’t want to think so negatively of him. He was really the only true family she had left in the world, well, apart from her crazy aunt Sanne—Cray’s only sister. Elissa had been sent to stay with Aunt Sanne whenever her father was locked up, and it was an experience she hoped to never repeat again. She desperately hoped her father would stay straight this time. It was difficult, having to say goodbye to him over and over throughout the years. Elissa had never really had a family member she could fully depend on to be there, which had made her a little wary and jaded over time. Even now, she wanted to believe her father was taking the high road, but the fact that he had remained friends with his old criminal cronies made it difficult for her to believe his claims of newfound innocence and law-abiding ways.
Just then, out of the still darkness, the rear left passenger door of the vehicle swung open and a dark figure slid into the back seat. Elissa gasped as fear took hold and whirled to stare wide-eyed at the intruder. To her horror, he was dressed completely in black from head to toe, a ski mask obscuring most of his face except for his wild, crazed eyes.
He heaved a big black duffel bag from over his shoulder into his lap, then promptly leaned forward and shouted, “Drive, drive, drive! Go!”
“What the hell is this? Who are you?” Elissa demanded, heart racing like mad. They were being carjacked and her father seemed totally unfazed!
“Step on it, come on!” the man snapped.
Cray revved the engine to life and the car rolled away from the scene. Elissa stared in horror at the man in the overhead mirror, even as it dawned on her that he seemed to know her father.
“What is going on? What did you get us into?” Elissa burst out.
“Who the hell is this, Cray? You were supposed to come alone!” the man spat.
“Buddy, this is my daughter, Elissa,” Cray spoke smoothly. “You need to chill out, all right? Just slow down and tell us what’s going on.”
Buddy snorted derisively. “Oh, you’re feigning innocence, huh? Don’t pretend like you don’t know exactly what this is, man. You knew the job. I’m the muscle, you’re the getaway driver. Just like last time, you remember?”
“No, I did not know the job,” Cray shot back, fingers tightening on the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
Elissa looked at the side of her father’s face, watching the occasional streetlight illuminate the craggy lines and creases. He looked every bit the part of a man who had lived a hard, long, brutish life. And that was because he had. Elissa wanted to believe his proclamation of innocence. She had been secretly dreaming of her father’s redemption her whole life. But she couldn’t help but think he was putting on a show for her. He knew Ski Mask Guy’s name. He seemed to know just what was going on, despite his protests.
“Great.” She closed her eyes, unable to look at her father. “Now we’re getaway drivers,” Elissa grumbled.
“Well,” at her father’s voice she opened her eyes and caught his sheepish smile. “You did say you wanted a story…”
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About the Authors
Celia Kyle
Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes paranormal romances. It goes without saying that there’s always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.
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Marina Maddix
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Marina Maddix is a romantic at heart, but hates closing the bedroom door on her readers. Her stories are sweet, with just enough spice to make your mother blush. She lives with her husband and cat near the Pacific Ocean, and loves to hear from her fans.
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Copyright © 2020 by Celia Kyle & Marina Maddix
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