Page 52 of Lucky's Trouble

“Wait five minutes before you call for help, yeah?” I ask the girl, who can’t be much over eighteen.

She nods, and I open the door. I haven’t even made it past the threshold before she’s at his side, digging around in the desk, probably looking for something to cut him free with.

I shake my head. She’s not my problem.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

TINLEIGH

As if summoned by my thoughts, the phone I’ve been staring at on and off all day buzzes in my hand, and the number I recognize as Myla’s flashes across the screen. I flip off the TV and mentally prepare myself for this conversation.

I wish I could say I was busy all day and just didn’t have time to make the call, but that would be a lie. After I picked at my breakfast, I came back to Lucky’s cabin and have been on this couch ever since, mindlessly watching reality TV. It should’ve been a treat, since I never get the chance to veg out, but the guilt of not reaching out to Myla stopped me from enjoying it.

I accept the call. “Hello.”

“Tinny?”

“Hey, sis. How are you?” I put enough cheer in my voice to lay the groundwork for when I try to convince her I’m okay.

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“Good. Great, even.”

“Try. Again,” she grits, calling me out.

“I’m taking it you spoke to Lucky?”

“Yeah, this morning.”

“Why did it take you this long to call?” I ask, not really wanting to know the answer because it’ll only add to my guilt.

“I was giving you the chance to do the right thing and call me, but I couldn’t wait any longer since my shift starts soon.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Maybe it’s the concussion.” It’s pathetic to blame my procrastination on that when I know it has nothing to do with it, but sympathy is better than anger. I can’t handle it when she’s mad at me.

“Concussion?” Her voice pitches high.

“How much did Lucky tell you?” I ask.

“Pretend I know nothing and tell me what happened.”

I recount the entire situation, leaving out details that have to do with Lucky. My feelings about what is or isn’t going on between us are already so jumbled, I can’t add her opinion to the mix. Even if I know what that opinion will be.

“I’m gonna kill him,” she says after I finish speaking. I have to give her credit. Besides the huffs of frustration, the gasps of shock, and a few quiet tears, she managed not to interrupt.

“No, you won’t. Lucky said he’ll keep me safe until this all blows over.” Plus, I’ll be the one who kills him.

The more I dissect my conversation with Lucky last night, the more I realize what he was trying to say without spelling it out. He wants me to stop being a victim and take control of my life, something I can’t do until Neal is no longer a threat.

I wasn’t in the position to fight back before, but now I have Lucky, and I know he’ll help me get revenge.

“Why didn’t you come to me? We could’ve figured this out like we always do. Together.”

“This is nothing like anything we’ve handled before. Neal wasn’t playing fair, Myla. It’s a whole different ballgame.”

She sighs. “I still think we could’ve thought of something, but it’s not too late. I have enough money to get us out of Reno. We could start fresh somewhere new.”

Maybe her plan would’ve worked, maybe not. I considered it as I lay on my bed, broken and bloody. But I’ve always protected Myla, and I won’t stop now. I’d rather die than bring her into this.

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