Page 87 of Defying the Relic Hunter

The unhappy biker gave us the one-fingered salute.

I waved back all friendly like. He wanted to fight I’d introduce him to Granny.

Totally unconcerned, Xenia checked her bracelet. “There’s a toy store close by.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Encanto Park is a beautiful oasis in the middle of downtown Phoenix; complete with a tranquil lagoon and an amusement park for children. On the Enchanted Island kids can ride the carousel, a train or take paddle boats out on the water.

Dixon and his gang had taken over the island. Most sensible folks kept their distance. I spotted Ella and six other children on the miniature train as it circled the island.

We placed our presents on a table covered in gaily wrapped packages and grabbed a beer out of a cooler. “We’ll probably have to stay until Ella opens her presents.”

Xenia grimaced. “Or until Baxter provokes another fight.”

“And we both know he will.”

“Testosterone should be outlawed,” Xenia commented.

“Ain’t that the truth.”

“What are you doing at Encanto Park?”Ethan suddenly growled in my head.

“We’re attending a birthday party?”

Ethan shot back,“Whose?”

“Ella Dixon.”

“The little girl you rescued from the pervert?”

“That’s the one.”

“Is her father there?”

I rolled my eyes.“Yes.”

Poof! Ethan appeared in front of me. “Have you lost your mind? The Bjarke are actively hunting you.”

“I doubt they’ll look for us here.”

“You don’t know that,” Ethan snapped.

Dixon ambled over to us. “Is there a problem?”

“No, he’s always this cranky,” I replied.

Ethan’s eyes went flat. “Stay out of this, Dixon. It’s none of your business.”

“The hell it ain’t. She belongs to me,” Dixon countered.

“Belongs?”

I clamped a hand to my forehead. Oh hell!

“I think the birthday party is about to come to an abrupt end,”Xenia whispered in my mind.

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