Page 37 of Echoes of Obsession

Hunter: That’s twenty grand each, brother. Just our share. The Undercage made a hell of a lot more.

What the fuck ever.

Pocketing my phone, I watch Snow and Dove as they talk using sign language.

Whatever it is they’re talking about, Snow looks concerned.

***Amara***

“You’re being quiet. Do you want to go home? We can come back another time.”

“I want to play with Allie,” she tells me.

I smile, my heart heavy with concern. Zoe’s behavior has been different since she returned. I make a mental note to have a heart-to-heart with her about her father’s situation later. I met with the lawyer Ghost hired, and everything looks promising.Zoe doesn’t even have to go for visits until a decision has been made. Then, if it goes the way I’m hoping, she will never have to see him again. Maybe the news will make my little girl happy.

“Hey, Dove,” Allie greets with her usual cheerfulness, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve been working real hard this past week. Let’s see if I can get this right.”

Allie’s hands move with a grace that only comes from hours of practice, forming different words. With each word that she crafts, Zoe’s smile grows wider, her eyes lighting up. She adores moments like this when people make the effort to communicate with her. After Allie finishes, I can’t help but chuckle at what she’s suggested.

“Good job,”Zoe tells her, laughter filling her face.

“What did you say, Alliecat?” Ghost asks suspiciously from his desk.

“Oh, nothing major,” Allie says, her voice dripping with sweetness as she looks at her uncle. “Just that we need to talk the club’s mean president into getting us a pool put in since we spend so much time here.”

“It’s November,” Ghost says. “It’ll start snowing any week now.”

“We need to get an early start on the persuading.”

I translate Zoe’s message, and Ghost’s eyes narrow at her playfully.

“I see how it is,” he says in mock anger, his playful tone evident. “Everyone is going to gang up on me now. I’ll tell you what, let’s table this discussion until after Christmas. I will make a wise and formal decision before Spring.”

“Of what year?”

“Zoe asks, of what year?” I laugh.

“Sneaky,” Ghost says. “This coming Spring. If you ladies agree to give me that time to think about it, then I will take you both to the zoo tomorrow.”

“THE ZOO?” Allie yells excitedly. “What do you think, Dove? Should we give him time to think or go all in and demand our pool needs?”

“I dunno,”Zoe says, trying her best not to let her excitement show.“The zoo sounds cool and all, but a pool is a whole summer of fun. I think something sweet needs to be added to the pile.”

“Throw in ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a deal,” Allie tells Ghost after I translate.

“You ladies drive a hard bargain,” Ghost says, standing before them. He reaches out his hands towards both girls. “Deal.”

“AWESOME,” Allie yells. Then, turning to Zoe, she speaks slowly. “Come on. I want you to teach me how to sign every single animal.”

“The zoo, huh?” I smile as Ghost looks my way. “I’ve never taken Sky near that many animals before.”

“Fuck, I didn’t even think about that,” he groans. “I’ll have Venom take them.”

“No, it’s alright,” I laugh. “He’s been trained for situations like that. But I might have to keep him leashed. Being near that many people with an unleashed dog tends to draw attention. And not the good kind.”

“Fuck em,” Venom says from the doorway. “When we enter, we will let them know that Sky is a service dog trained to be unleashed for his job. Legally, that’s all they’re allowed to ask you, anyway.”

“Why did you give Hayes so much information when he asked about it at the club?” Ghost asks me. “If you didn’t legally have to answer, then you should have told him that.”

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