Page 47 of Wild Card
Every time I looked at her, my heart squeezed.
I owed Dalton big-time for whatever magic rabbit he’d pulled out of a hat with Rusty. I still couldn’t believe the guy had agreed. Banshee was worth some big bucks to the right buyers, and yet here she was, living the junkyard dog life.
“Wanna go for a walk over to the auto shop?” I asked her.
She yipped happily.
“Yeah, you like Holden, don’t you? Maybe you’ll adopt him, huh?”
Ever since he’d kept her overnight, he was her second-favorite human.
I opened the gate, and Banshee trotted out at my side. Taz, my little Chihuahua, was quick on our heels. The other dogs had run off to bark at the cats, so I closed and locked the gate behind me—I wasn’t ever leaving it unlocked again, even for a short visit to the auto shop—and started down the road.
Bailey was tapping away on his diagnostic computer next to a Mercedes, while Matteo looked over his shoulder. He was still learning the trade, and Bailey was the most capable mechanic we had.
I didn’t see Gray, but the tow truck was gone, so he’d most likely taken a call. Better him than me. We all took turns, and none of us enjoyed tow duty.
“Hey,” Matteo said, crouching down to pet Taz. “You brought my favorite.”
I chuckled. “Don’t let Gray hear you say that. He’s still traumatized.”
“Aw, Taz is a sweetie, aren’t you?”
Taz sneered, showing his teeth. Matteo wasn’t fazed. He scooped him up in one hand and gave him a scratch behind the ears. Taz snuggled against his chest, happy as a clam.
Banshee ran ahead of me into Holden’s office. I heard him greet her, then a happy little bark. At least she was sweetening him up for me.
“Gotta go talk to the boss man. Wish me luck.”
“Don’t spoil his mood,” Bailey warned without looking up. “I’ve already gotten one lecture about keeping the toolbox organized.”
“A lecture you need about twice a week,” I pointed out.
My little brother was a slob, but a heck of a mechanic after growing up working on cars.
Bailey flipped me the bird.
I grinned. “Aw, love you too.”
I blew him a kiss before stepping into Holden’s office, catching my oldest brother in an absolute love fest with Banshee. He was crouched on the floor and hugging her close, face buried in her fur.
“Am I interrupting?” I asked.
He straightened up, wearing a sheepish smile. “She’s just so affectionate. It’s hard to resist…”
“You shouldn’t, then. Carry on.”
Holden retook his seat. “I’m good. What brings you over?”
Banshee sat down by his chair, leaning against his leg. Holden dropped his hand to her head, idly stroking her. Almost as if he was starved for the tactile sensation—which, no doubt, he was.
“Can you check the junkyard inventory for a 2500 Ram? I want to confirm we had one come in.”
“Sure…” He focused on his computer screen, clicking the mouse as he navigated screens. “Yes, back in April.”
“Have we sold any of its parts?”
He did another search, eyes narrowed on the screen. “Yep. Sold a set of tires. And…some side mirrors? But that’s it.”
