Page 109 of Reclaimed

“How old is he now?” I bounce from foot to foot.

“He just turned three. Actually, that’s why I stopped you. After Kelly heard the news, she put together a box of some of Carter’s baby clothes to pass along.” He rubs the back of his neck. “If you want. It’ll only take a second. I have them in my trunk.”

What I really want is to get back home to Aiden so we can join the Powells for a delicious dinner, but I did just quit my job, so the generous offer is hard to pass up.

“Okay, if it’ll just take a second.”

“Come on. I’m parked out in the side lot.”

Returning the way I just came, we walk down the long hall to the rear exit. Benjamin holds the door open for me to precede him through. The door slams shut behind us with a deafening bang.

“Shit. I should have propped that open.”

“Guess you’ll have to take the long walk around.”

“It’ll be good to stretch my legs.”

A cold wind kicks up, throwing my hair around my face. I pull the edges of my coat tighter. The fabric shields my neck from the icy chill. “Yeah.”

Benjamin grabs my wrist steps from the corner where the side parking lot is on our right. “I’m so sorry, Isla. Your dad just wanted to talk to you.”

A wrinkle forms on my brow. “What?”

But I don’t get an answer. Because Benjamin uses his grip to tow me the last foot around the corner. Bringing me face to face with a gun.

And a man who definitely isn’t my father.

“Whoa.” Benjamin throws his palms out placatingly at the weapon casually aimed our way.

“Stella. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” The man seems vaguely familiar, but through the hazy fog of adrenaline, I don’t immediately place the scowl or the thin brown hair swept neatly over his forehead.

“Who are you?” I manage despite the fear gripping my throat.

“Get in the car, and we can talk.” The passenger door creaks loudly as he swings it open.

My attention flickers over the mid-2000s sedan idling at the curb. Like hell I’m getting in there.

Benjamin’s hand settles on my wrist again, an anxious tremble jumping against my racing pulse. “You didn’t say anything about taking her!”

“Get in the car, Stella,” the man repeats, the gun aimed steadily at my stomach.

A whimper crawls out of my throat as I move a hesitant step back. “What did you do, Benjamin?”

The scowl. The hair. The grating voice. The wiry glasses. He’s obviously a client, finding me here and using my stage name. But from when? Why don’t I remember him when he talks like we have unfinished business?

“I thought he was your dad,” Benjamin hisses. “He said that you wouldn’t talk to him. That he was looking for you. He threatened Carter. I thought I was helping.”

The man’s voice softens. “I don’t want to hurt you, Stella.” He lowers the gun slightly. “Just get in and we can talk this all out. Nobody has to get hurt.”

“What do you want from me?” I need to buy time. At any second, a car could drive around the back. A server or dancer arriving for their shift. Or security could come looking for Benjamin. Someone could notice he’s been gone from his post for too long.

“I’ll tell you when we’re alone,” he says slowly, as if I’m an errant child ignoring his request.

“Run, Isla. Get back inside!”

In a split second, the gun shifts. With a crack, the man buries a bullet in Benjamin’s thigh. He screams and falls onto the brittle asphalt, hands gripping his leg as he tries to stop the bleeding.

“Get in the fucking car right now before I blow that baby straight out of your body!”

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