Deadly Assets (Allison Campbell Mystery Series Book 2) by Wendy Tyson

Author:Wendy Tyson [Tyson, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: dp books
Published: 2025-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

The diner was a Greek mom and pop joint named Opa, situated on a busy throughway. Allison and Vaughn arrived at half past eleven. The restaurant had three large dining rooms, but other than a group of rowdy teenagers and a pair of tattooed truckers, the place was empty. An older waitress with a bored smile showed them to a booth.

“Coffee?”

“Hot chocolate,” Allison said. “And soup. Whatever you have.”

Vaughn said, “I’ll have the same. With French fries. And a piece of pie. Blueberry, if you have it.”

The woman nodded absentmindedly and walked away, still writing.

Vaughn yawned. “Hot chocolate and soup. Comfort food.”

Allison smiled. “My mom used to make hot chocolate when we were little. It was one of her few nods to processed foods. And instead of mini marshmallows, she’d add marshmallow fluff. When my sisters weren’t looking, she’d put extra fluff in my mug. She knew how much I liked it.” Allison shook her head at the bittersweet memory, one of the few good ones she had of childhood. She felt the tears well up at the thought of her mom, and she smiled apologetically. “It’s late and I’m getting sentimental.”

Vaughn didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to — the warmth in his eyes was enough. She studied her friend. He always wore an armor of reserve, but his current bearing was different. Tough. Determined. Edgy. This was Vaughn the fighter, and, if she had to guess, it was this Vaughn who’d survived the years in juvenile detention and his time in a gang.

“I want to get a hotel for the night. If you need to go home to Jamie, I understand. I can rent a car.”

“He’s fine. I texted Angela. She’ll stay.”

“You’ll tell him what’s going on?”

Vaughn’s eyes darted toward the truckers. “I’ll email him.”

Allison chewed her lip. “You’re keeping him in the dark.”

“I’m trying to keep him safe.”

“Hiding this from him only makes it worse. He can help.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” His eyes flashed with anger. “My brother can’t run away, Allison. He’s a sitting duck, prey for any jackass who wants to make a point. There is only one thing I can do to make sure he doesn't get mixed up in this mess. I'm sure you understand.”

Allison held his stare and after a moment his gaze softened. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess I’m tired, after all.”

“You’re not in this alone. We’ll figure it out. Together.”

He let out a bitter laugh. “Do you believe even one of these people? Because I sure as hell don’t. Reginald is a PI? I don’t buy that for a second. And those brothers? Dom with his jacked-up attitude. And don’t think I don’t see the way the other one looks at you, like he’s itching to score and you’re a whole pile of the white stuff. And now that crazy sister is dead. Dead, Allison, as in the sun will not be coming out tomorrow.” He shook his head. “What are we mixed up in this time?”

Allison frowned.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.