Page 24 of Dread’s Beloved

“You’re not going to get any bars,” a male voice tells me, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

I whirl around to see Knives watching me.

“There’s got to be at least one spot I can get a couple of bars.”

“Not happening, Kit Cat.” He folds a hand over my burner and confiscates it and shoves it in his pocket.

“Hey, give that back.”

“You’re welcome to try and take it.” he smirks.

“Ugh. Forget it.”

“There’s a signal jammer,” he tells me. “But if you can get permission, maybe I’ll drive you into town and let you make one call.”

“I don’t need permission.”

“Yeah, you do.”

“I’m not a prisoner.”

“You kind of are until the treat is over.”

I roll my eyes and jut my hip out, throwing sass. “I don’t answer to Dread.”

He rolls his lips inward. “Right. How about we get you a drink, and when I go to work tonight at Spooky’s, I’ll check in with Sukie for you.”

“Fine. Now can I have my phone back?”

“Nope.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder, and my belly growls loud. He throws his head back and lets out a chuckle. “Come on. I think Punky was making pizza.”

I find myself seated at a table having beer and pizza with Knives, talking about the old days.

“You know I always had the biggest crush on you when we were kids,” he confesses.

“Shut up.”

“No, really. It’s true. I came home the summer I turned fourteen. Was determined to ask you to be my girlfriend and was crushed when you showed up at the county pool dating Zane.”

“You were not.”

“Totally was. You had that hot pink bikini with the little light pink flamingos all over it.”

“How do you remember my bathing suit from so many years ago? That’s crazy.”

“You made an impression.” He takes a hearty pull from his beer. “I was in love.”

“Shut up. You were not.” I wad up a napkin and throw it at him.

“Sukie used to tease me about it. I’m surprised she never told you.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“I always wondered how different things might have turned out had I stayed living with Mom and pursued you. You know she always had hopes that we’d get married one day.”

“I remember, but hey maybe part of her wish will come true. Dark and Sukie have been getting very friendly lately.”

“How friendly we talking?”