Page 11 of Kisses at the Crossroads

He strokes his chin. “Come back at noon tomorrow and we’ll talk. Bring bank statements.”

“Perfect. Now, direct me where to dump the boy and I’ll be on my way.”

“Leave him,” Drake says.

“It’s no trouble.” I bend to pick Trick up again. He’s still freezing, which concerns me. Frankie whines and noses at Trick’s hand. “He’ll be okay, girl.” I’ll make sure of it.

“Ava!” Drake bellows out and Frankie growls again.

The person who helped clear the stage between performers rushes from behind the glitter curtain. “Yes, Drake.”

“Show… I never got your name,” Drake says.

“You can call me Pike.”

“Show Pike where to dump Trick, then get Trick cleaned up.”

“Is he okay?” Ava asks as they smooth the hair from Trick’s face.

“He will be,” I answer. “He needs?—”

“Sunlight,” Ava says.

I nod as Ava glares at Drake.

“Get!” Drake bellows as he shoos Ava away.

Frankie comes with me as I follow Ava through the curtain and down a back hall. Ava’s fast, but they have the knowledge of where they’re going. It’s dim and dank and I hate leaving Trick.

Ava unlocks a door and I’m glad the stairs are concrete. The further we get into the basement, the less I want Trick to stay. He doesn’t deserve it, no one does.

“Lay him down here.” Ava pulls a blanket from atop what appears to be a nest of dozens of pillows and thin blankets.

“You’re kidding, right?” I look around, hoping there’s some place more comfortable, but the space is bare. Frankie doesn’t care and climbs right into the nest and snuggles in.

Ava gives me a dull glare. “Sorry, this isn’t a fancy hotel. This is our prison.”

I swallow. “You’re his captive, too?”

“I made the mistake of trusting Drake when I was a young woman.”

“Are there more of you captives?”

“No, the other performers and workers are all paid and have no idea what Trick and I go through. They all, however, have made different deals with Drake. I don’t know the half of them, most of them aren’t allowed to talk about the deals per the stipulations of the agreement.”

“Curious. A witch acting like he’s a demon.”

Ava nods. “He’s been doing very well for himself for the last decade.”

Curious indeed. “Can you keep a secret?” I whisper. I probably shouldn’t trust this woman, but now I can’t bear to have them both as Drake’s captives.

“I’d be dead by now if I couldn’t.” She grins and motions for me to put Trick down. “Trick actually likes the nest. Drake tried a bed, but Trick never slept in it, taking all the sheets and pillows to make a nest.”

“If you’re sure?”

“Very sure. And see, the Hellhound likes it, so it must be comfortable.”

“Frankie. And she’ll sleep anywhere.” But I settle Trick into the nest where Frankie snuggles close to him again. “How often does Trick pass out?”

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