Page 64 of Stay Toxic

We hurt our own feelings thinking we meant more to people than we do.

—Brecken to Shasha

SHASHA

I’d spent the last twelve hours looking for Cayden, and the more I searched, the more that alarmed me.

His people—the ones that were able to be found—didn’t know where he was.

His family didn’t know where he was, and the only reason I’d gotten any information from them at all was because I’d let myself into Cayden’s home, and they’d been there looking terrified.

I was on the criminal underground part of asking questions, and so far, no one would talk.

I’d had to use my fists on three men so far before one had finally broken.

This coward.

The rest of his brethren that ran this storefront as a business to funnel money and make it look legit were in the freezer cooling off.

But this one, I knew I could break this one.

I’d been working him over when I’d heard the bell indicating a customer.

I’d been surprised that someone had actually come in.

I mean, the only people that came in were tourists, and it was too early to be eating anything.

Plus, I’d locked it as I’d come inside.

I’d ignored the bell, thinking maybe it was a figment of my imagination.

I’d just loosened my hand from the man’s throat when I heard it.

The gasp.

I whipped my head around, my gun automatically coming out to aim at the intruder, when I realized just who I was aiming my gun at.

I dropped my gun just as fast as it’d appeared and said, “What are you doing here?”

She opened her mouth and closed it before saying, “I wanted an egg sammie.”

I frowned. “No, what are you doing in Houston?”

I’d tracked her car to her house just a few hours ago.

If she was here, she hadn’t driven.

“I…I have a conference across the street,” she said. “I rode with another teacher.”

That explained that.

But how did she find me?

“Are you following me?” I asked.

Her back stiffened. “Are you seriously asking me if I followed you down here when you have a man pinned to the back wall looking alarmingly purple?”

I let the man drop. He hit his feet, collapsed, and fell straight to his ass.

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