Page 23 of Craving Vengeance
“Hi, sweetie. I see your Aunt Maggie is up to her little games again,” he said as he shifted his gaze from Shannon to Spinelli and looked him over.
Her uncle, other than the bright red hair, looked nothing like her or any of her immediate family whom he’d only seen in pictures.
Shannon motioned to him, and he stepped closer to them. All eyes still on him. The scent of stale cigars and beer penetrated his nostrils.
“Well, son, what delightful song has my darling picked out for me this year?”
He could see the snickers down the bar. This lumberjack was really going to make him sing to him. Shannon’s challenging gaze was just the incentive he needed. He eyed Bernie. He looked like he might have a sense of humor. Spinelli cleared his throat and broke out into a loud rendition of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name.” He was loud, animated, short, and sweet about it, and when he finished chuckles broke out down the bar.
“Sounds like Maggie’s got your number, Bernie,” someone yelled from several stools down. More laughter followed. Bernie laughed as well.
“You kids got time for a lightning fast one?”
Shannon shook her head. “We can’t stay. We have a few more deliveries.”
He stepped forward and hugged Shannon, then he reached over and extended his hand to Spinelli. “Nicely done, son, but a bit of advice. Don’t quit your day job.” Bernie roared with laughter. Shannon’s sweet giggle echoed in Spinelli’s ears as well.
She gestured toward him. “Uncle Bernie, this is Nick Spinelli.”
Bernie’s smile widened. “So you’re the young lad who’s captured the heart of our little Shannon.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Shannon’s cheeks turn as red as her dress.
Bernie obviously didn’t have a clue about his dear little Shannon.
“I can’t believe you kids are running around dressed like you are tonight with all that’s gone on today,” Bernie whispered as he leaned toward Spinelli. “Are you undercover again, just like you were with the Santa and Elf case at Christmas?”
Spinelli looked beyond Bernie. His clientele seemed to have gone about their business and paid no attention to Bernie’s question. He could feel Shannon’s sharp gaze burning a hole through him. How was he going to explain this and the fact her fiancé was dead, and she was a suspect? Guilt consumed him. He hadn’t decided when he was going to tell her about Dr. Joshua, but it looked as though the time was drawing near.
“What’s he talking about, Nick?” Shannon asked. Her voice squeaked.
He knew he needed to look at her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do so.
She tugged at his arm. “What’s going on?”
He shifted his gaze to her. Her eyes pleaded with him. “We’ll talk about it in the car.”
