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The mention of his name jacked up Mandy’s pulse. She hadn’t seen nor heard from her brother since the night he left their house two months ago. She only hoped that he’d gotten away and maybe straightened out his life. He would always be her brother, and she would always worry about him.
Mitzi took Mandy’s arm. “Today is about forgetting work and letting go.”
“You know I hate rides. They make my stomach twist.”
“Fine, then we’ll have a hot dog and some cotton candy.”
“Great. Too much salt and by-products topped off with tons of sugar.” Mandy bugged out her eyes. “Sounds great.”
“Oh c’mon.” The fair was packed with families, teens, rides, and carnival games. It looked like everyone was having fun, but the more she observed, the more her heart kicked up.
Mandy stopped short and grabbed Mitzi’s arm. “Is it my imagination or are the men manning the games wearing Serpents’ cuts?”
She had spent the last two months avoiding anything Serpents-related, which meant keeping a three-block radius from the Gold Mine or the Serpents-owned strip club on the north side of town. Since the salon where she now worked and Mitzi’s apartment were conveniently away from both establishments, she felt relatively safe.
“Are they?” Mitzi tried for innocence and failed miserably. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Mandy widened her eyes, then pointed to a banner reading: Serpents MC Las Vegas 5th Annual Fundraiser.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Now it seemed after all her strategic planning, she’d stumbled into a carnival sponsored by and teeming with Serpents.
“Hey,” a deep voice rasped behind her.
Mandy spun around and came face to chest with Cobra's somber expression. The man rarely smiled, and his overall presence rattled her.
“I didn’t think you were gonna show,” Cobra said. Odd greeting.
Mandy shot a look to Mitzi, who shrugged again, feigning innocence.
Cobra pointed to a trailer set up behind one of the concessions. “Why don’t we talk in there.” Then he turned like he expected her to follow him.
“What’s this about?” Mandy stage whispered to Mitzi.
“Why don’t you go with him and find out.” Mitzi made a shooing motion with her hands.
“What have you done?” Mandy said over her shoulder as she blindly followed Cobra inside the trailer.
A couch affixed to one wall and a small table and a few chairs took up most of the small space. Cobra motioned to one of the chairs, and she sat.
He sat across from her and pulled out a piece of paper from his cut. “Every year, the Serpents run this event for a charity or a specific family in need. Families who are swamped with medical costs, and can’t keep up with their regular bills.”
Mandy certainly understood that. The money she sent her mother every month just barely covered their expenses. That’s why she was so determined to open her own shop someday.
“That’s very nice, but what does that have to do with me.”
“This year, the money will be donated to the Achilles Brooks Foundation.”
She opened her mouth, snapped it shut, then opened it again. “Excuse me?”
He pushed the paper toward her, but she focused on his eyes, looking for some indication of what he meant.
“There is no such foundation.”
“There is now.” Cobra pointed to the check in front of her made out to theAchilles Brooks Foundation.
She stared at the piece of paper, her brain stalling at the astronomical amount. “I can’t accept this.” She pushed the check away like it was on fire.
