Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“Sir, you are no longer welcome at Inferno. Please leave,” Wraith informed him loudly.
The man scanned the crowd, noting the attention the encounter drew and nodded. “Of course. I’ve accomplished my mission.”
Scythe leaned forward to share, “Oh, and by the way, we have footage not only of you today but of Adam Young interacting with a bachelorette party last night. Those would be interesting pictures to have appear in the paper before the next school board meeting.”
“Or on the district website. That would be better,” Wraith said.
The man looked back and forth between them. “I would not suggest blackmail to a lawyer.”
“No one mentioned blackmail,” Scythe pointed out. “Have a nice evening, sir. Thanks for your office’s address. I hope your car is okay in the parking lot.”
The man opened and closed his mouth like a fish before rushing out of Inferno. He obviously liked his car. Scythe smirked at his back.
“Something I need to know?” Wraith asked.
“Not now. I’m going to take off after I get the bar restocked.”
“Of course,” Wraith answered.
As he walked away, he heard Caroline ask, “What’s going on with Scythe?”
“I have a hunch Scythe has found….” Wraith’s answer faded as Scythe retraced his steps through the customers.
Chapter 7
He’d forced himself to stay away on Tuesday when she hadn’t called for a bedtime story. Maybe she wasn’t that into him. Scythe dismissed that worry quickly. She wasn’t skilled in concealing her emotions. Winnie was attracted to him. Just as he was to her.
Scythe had, of course, texted to make sure she had transportation to and from work. Her polite response had arrived within seconds. Had she been waiting to hear from him?
By Tuesday at seven p.m., he couldn’t focus at Inferno anymore. He alerted the other Devil Daddies and headed out. After pulling into her driveway, Scythe cut off his engine and parked his bike. He studied the dark windows before checking the time. Eight fifteen. His Little girl wouldn’t have gone to sleep that early. He had a feeling the stack of papers in her bag wasn’t a onetime occurrence. Tonight’s pile would have taken her several hours to correct.
A vibration rumbled inside his cut. Scythe grabbed his phone to check the screen. Winnie. He quickly accepted the call. “Chipmunk. You’re not asleep.”
“I heard a motorcycle and thought of you. Can you read me a story now? I didn’t want to bother you last night.” Winnie spoke in a hushed whisper.
“I can. That motorcycle was mine. I’m in your driveway.”
“Really?” Her voice squeaked with excitement,
“Where’s your room, Little girl?”
“On the backside of the house.”
“I’ll see you in five minutes. Open the window for me,” Scythe instructed as he got off the bike.
“I’m on the second floor. I’d let you in the back door, but I don’t want to wake Mom,” she said quickly.
“Trust me, Chipmunk. I’ll make it to you. I’m coming around the house.” He disconnected the call and stowed his phone in his vest.
Reaching the backyard, he spotted a massive oak tree. Nice. That would help him get to the second floor. One set of windows glowed with light. A limb extended within three feet of the sill. Easy.
Scythe jumped to grab the lowest branch and swung his legs up to wrap around it. In seconds, he navigated to a higher branch and then over to the branch that led to the illuminated window now filled with a familiar face. She hurriedly slid the lower pane open.
“You are going break your neck,” she whispered furiously. “I’ll just open the door for you and you can tiptoe inside.
“I’m good. I climbed a few trees in my youth. Step back, Winnie. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She scrambled back as Scythe moved down the limb to the spot closest to the opening. Balancing himself with the branch above him, Scythe paused and considered the best move. He could dive in, but that was a head injury waiting to happen. Glancing up at the branch above him, he made a new plan.
His motorcycle boots were a bit of a liability, but he managed to stand, using smaller branches to steady himself. He sidestepped to a spot where the thick branch dropped slightly. Launching himself upward, Scythe grabbed that limb, holding his breath. Would it support him? When it only creaked a bit, he maneuvered hand over hand until he dangled close enough to the window to swing his legs inside and drop to sit on the windowsill.
Arms wrapped around his torso. “Gotcha!”
Holding onto the window frame, Scythe slid his hips inside and lowered himself to the floor. Winnie climbed onto his lap, scattering kisses all over his face. She wore fuzzy slipper socks and an oversized nightshirt decorated with what he suspected were chipmunks.
“That was crazy. You aren’t ever to do that again,” she scolded between pecks as he enjoyed her greeting.