Skulls and Crossbones by Anthology

Author:Anthology [Anthology]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781934452400
Publisher: Bedazzled Ink
Published: 2010-02-15T06:00:00+00:00

140

Victoria Oldham

She cursed and shoved away from the kitchen counter.

“What’s up?” Randy said, staring at Shelly as she paced.

“Nothing,” she said, slamming her beer on the table before she walked out. She fl ung herself onto her couch and stared out the window at the Boulder hills. Soft sunlight bathed the trees in an orange glow, making everything surreal.

She fl opped onto her stomach and traced circles in the carpet with her fi ngertip. From the moment she had driven away from Chris’s empty rig, she had felt myriad emotions. One moment she was elated at the haul they had taken, the next she felt a gnawing sense of guilt and frustration that she couldn’t get Chris out of her head. Replaying the scene night after night left her wet and agitated.

She lifted her head slightly at the sound of the doorbell. When she heard Randy greet her buyers, she forced herself off the couch and padded barefoot into the hallway.

“Shelly, love. How the hell are you?” Domenic swung her in a wide circle, his heavy African accent making her smile, despite her surly mood.

“All right. A good haul,” Shelly said.

“So I’ve heard, beautiful. Th

is is a friend of mine, and we have some

business matters to discuss with you. If you have time, of course,” he said, bowing his head respectfully.

“If you trust him, that’s good enough for me,” Shelly said, leading the way into the comfortable and spacious living room. She watched as Domenic’s friend glanced around, his expression guarded and alert. He turned slate-grey eyes to her and stared at her for a long moment. She stared back impassively, used to the concerns men had about dealing with her. At only fi ve-foot-fi ve-inches and with a petite build, she looked non-threatening. It had served her well in her work, as people constantly underestimated her. An image of Chris lying under her fl ashed through her mind.

Shelly sat down in the comfortable chair in front of the sliding doors, aware that she would be backlit by the sun so her expression would be harder to see.

Randy offered drinks and brought them in from the kitchen before leaning against the doorway casually, blocking the exit without seeming to.

“Shelly, you know this shipment will last us for some time. It’s a wonderful gift. But I’ve run into a bit of a problem,” Domenic said, crossing and uncrossing his legs.

“Oh?” Shelly said, leaning forward slightly.

“You know I’ve been trying to cut costs. I’ve let most of my staff go. I even had to sell my last plane. I can’t aff ord to ship the cargo you’re getting for me.”

Shelly watched as he took a deep breath and looked away from her for the Road Pirate Wanted

141

fi rst time. She had known Domenic for the last ten years, and knew that his admission had cost him some pride. He was the one who had taken her to get her pirate tattoo so many years ago.

“And I assume this is where your friend here comes in?”

He nodded.

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