Free Dark Siren by Eden Ashley Page A

“I…uh…”
    From behind, the stranger discreetly pressed something cold and metallic into her hand. His fingers were warm, lingering against her skin for an extra moment. Not understanding at first, relief flooded through Kali when she recognized the embossed emblem of Greg’s keychain. But then the panic returned full force. Greg’s car was a hot mess.
    “It’s…at the car wash. Driving at night…you hit a lot of bugs. So——so, I took it…” Kali’s mouth had gone dry. Greg’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. She spun around to the stranger, letting her eyes plead for help.
    He winked. Then his expression changed to one of mock confusion. “That BMW out front? It looks amazing. Even the windows are spotless. Your guys at the wash got you all fixed up…and delivered.”
    Greg looked doubtful. “There’s a car wash in this town that delivers?”
    Kali gulped. “Yes?”
    “Are you asking me?”
    The stranger nudged her. Kali nodded decisively. “Yes. Your car looks great.” She tried to shrug casually. “I had it serviced because I know you like to keep your baby clean.”
    “Thanks, honey. How thoughtful of you.” Major concern aside, Greg turned his attention to the strange man standing in his kitchen and frowned. “Who is this?”
    “Him?” Kali stalled. She didn’t know his name. Why don’t I know his name? “He’s uh--”
    Again the stranger came to her rescue. Holding a hand out, which Greg readily accepted, he introduced himself, “I’m Rhane, sir. I brought the pizza in.”
    At the mention of pizza, Greg walked over to the box and lifted the lid to peer inside. He scowled at the all veggie toppings. “You look a little old to be delivering pizzas. Are you working your way through college?”
    “Not exactly,” Rhane said with an enigmatic smile. “I’m a little too old for college.”
    Greg grabbed a slice anyway. He took a bite and kept talking around the mouthful. “It’s hard to imagine delivering pizza can pay the bills.” He looked at Kali and winked. “This is good pizza.”
    “Greg, is it normal to interrogate the delivery guy?” Kali looked at Rhane apologetically. “Forgive him. He’s a lawyer.”
    “Lawyers don’t interrogate. We cross examine. You should know that for law school.” Greg grinned. “She’s right. I can’t help myself.” He ate more of the pizza. “This would be so much better with meat. Next time add pepperoni. And don’t tell Lisa.”
    Kali rolled her eyes.
    “Think about it.” He patted her shoulder dismissively and turned back to Rhane. “How much do we owe you for the pizza?”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “No, no.” Greg insisted, pulling out the money clip from his pocket. “A guy like you can’t afford going around giving people freebies. Here’s thirty bucks. That should cover it and a decent tip, eh?”
    Kali was absolutely aghast.
    Rhane took the money. “Yes sir. I believe that covers it.”
    “Alright, then.” Placing a hand on Rhane’s shoulder, Greg began steering him toward the living room. Cool night air rushed in through the opened door. “You should be wearing a jacket, son. It’s cold out there. And reconsider the college thing. Sometimes it takes more than dreaming. A real man takes initiative.”
    Rhane nodded and stepped outside. “Goodbye, Kalista,” he called back to where she had stopped. Stuffing the bills in his pocket, he thanked Greg and disappeared into the night.
    Her father came back to the kitchen for another slice of pizza. “Did you know that young man?”
    “Not really.” Kali was staring at the door, badly wanting Rhane to return.
    “He acted like he knew you.”
    “He just brought in a pizza, Greg.”
    “Good. He’s too old for you. He’s not applying himself. And he’s too old to be a delivery boy.”
     
     
     
     

Chapter 12
     
    Kali didn’t hear the alarm blaring through the house as she dreamed of the horseman again. Things happened exactly as they did the night