Page 69 of Please Save Me

“Fantastic as always, reverend.” Her once harsh tone took on an almost sing-song melody. “I take it you’re here to pick up your rosary?”

Dale nodded. “But I ain’t in no rush. You can take care of my friend here first.”

“Nonsense. I’m still looking. You can go ahead and take care of Reverend Cole.” If it had been anyone else, I’d demand they wait.

But Dale’s strange interest in me wasn’t one I wanted to entertain. I assumed he had figured out I was the one tasked with closing the Sons of Christ case, which meant he’d probably try to stop me. And while I could handle that when it happened, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him today.

Mary excused herself to the back, and Dale leaned forward, resting his elbows on the glass case in front of us.

“I don’t much appreciate you bringin’ Cameron along to our meeting this morning,” he started.

“My apologies. I just assumed I was doing what was best for the church.” Really, I just wanted to make Cameron uncomfortable.

And, while I succeeded, I couldn’t shake the idea that I possibly missed valuable information in the name of harassing Cameron… but it was kind of worth it.

“So, what brings you to the jewelry store?” Dale continued. “You ain’t in trouble with the wife, are you?”

I knelt to examine the case in front of us a bit. “Is it a crime for a man to want to spoil his spouse a little?”

Dale chuckled like he had been talking to a long time friend. “Most men don’t get their wives diamonds to spoil ’em.”

“I guess I just love mine more than everyone else.”

Mary returned with Dale’s rosary and passed it to him. He quietly thanked her before slipping the chain made of silver and red opal over his neck. The ornate cross hung perfectly on his chest.

“It’s nice knowin’ she means so much to you, and honestly, I’d love more time to chat one-on-one with ya.” He held my gaze with an intensity that almost felt threatening. “Can I count on ya comin’ overalonetomorrow?”

Under any other circumstances, I would have said no. Dale was the type of guy you avoided at all costs, but if he were as bad as Cameron said, my job would be to kill him one day. That was easier when the target trusted you. So, I agreed to come over in the morning.

Dale seemed content with my answer as he turned to leave. But, the second the door opened, I noticed a certain Jeep missing from across the street.

Where the hell did Lucian go?

Chapter 22

Lucian

Maybe it was the former rich kid in me, but I never fully grasped the importance of money.

Even as an adult, I never had to worry about bills being paid. When Sophia and I struggled to make ends meet after the twins were born, her moms always made sure we had what we needed. But sitting on the floor of what had recently been a decrepit basement, I realized just how much could get done in a short period if you had the funds to do it.

When we got back from France, Mason’s agents were practically foaming at the mouth for a chance to get a piece of me. That was fine for three days, but then Sophia told us we were disrupting her meetings and needed to find somewhere else to make music. Instead of looking for a studio, Mason asked if she could pay someone to finish the basement. Sophia didn’t care as long as we stopped interrupting her meetings.

In less than a week, the damp corners and cracked cement floors were gone. The area was now well-lit, the carpet was soft, and the furniture was more comfortable down here than upstairs.

I put my guitar to the side and sprawled out on the carpet, stifling a yawn.

“What are you doing?” Mason called from her place on the couch. “We’re supposed to be working.”

“Taking a break.” I rolled over just enough to shoot her a lazy smile. “Now get your pretty ass down here.”

“Two things.” She held up her fingers for emphasis. “One, we’re on a deadline. You have three more demos to record and one song to write.”

Eh, I could do it in an hour. “And two?”

“If mypretty assgets down there, it’s not getting up,” she warned.

“God, you act like you’re pregnant or something.”

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