Free Dread Champion by Brandilyn Collins

with you and the Welks at dinner. How did the evening go?”
    Lonnie Broward took a deep breath. Kerra could feel the emotion welling from the woman. “Everything was fine,” she began, “until Darren caught sight of someone across the restaurant. …”
    As the prosecutor coaxed details, the defense attorney often interrupting with objections, Lonnie Broward’s story slowly unfolded.
    D ARREN WAS DRUN . Laughing in his deep-throated way, fingers wrapped around his third after-dinner drink. Todd had cracked some male-oriented joke. Shawna shook her head at Lonnie. Shawna looked great as always in awhite silk blouse, navy jacket, and matching slacks. Her hair had recently been bleached to abrassier shade of blond. She’d told Lonnie on the phone just that afternoon that she was ready for a celebration. Another successful adoption had been completed, the baby placed in the long-awaiting arms of a childless couple. “That’s what I live for,” Shawna had said.
    Darren’s laughter cut short, surprise dulling his face. Shawna saw the look. She scanned the bar across the dimly lit room and her eyes stopped. Lonnie followed her gaze to along-legged twenty-something in a short skirt and plunging neckline. The woman blinked slowly, almost snidely, at Shawna, then arched her eyebrows and looked away. Shawna’s cheek muscles flexed, her eyes hardening. She could turn from one emotion to another faster than anyone Lonnie had ever known.
    â€œAnother one of your little bimbos, Darren?” Shawna’s words fell like chipped ice.
    Darren waved a callused hand. “Oh, don’t start, Shawna.” He sounded bored. “I’ve never seen her before.”
    â€œDon’t give me any of your ‘Don’t start, Shawna.’ Iknow that look on a woman’s face.”
    â€œWell, Ican’t help it if perfect strangers find me outrageously attractive. You did, too, as Iremember.” He leered at his wife.
    Shawna glared pure venom. “And Imarried you,” she hissed. “As I remember.”
    â€œHey, knock it off, you two,” Todd cut in.
    Shawna sipped her liqueur in silence, hand shaking. Lonnie could hardly blame her.Darren made little secret of his running around. Still, Lonnie didn’t want to witness another fight between the Welks; she’d seen enough of those already, especially when Darren was drunk. For a solidly built man, he sure couldn’t seem to hold his liquor.
    Animosity swirled between the Welks while they all finished their drinks. Darren ordered another. Lonnie just wanted to go home.
    As they left the restaurant, Darren suggested they stop by the beach.
    Lonnie hesitated. “Why not?” Todd responded heartily, trying to break the tension. “This night’s too great to waste. Ever seen it this warm in February?”
    â€œI’ve got heels on,” Lonnie protested.
    â€œSo take ’em off,” Darren said, fishing in his pocket for his car keys.
    â€œWe’ll meet you at Breaker Beach. Nobody’ll be there. We’ll build a fire.” He fumbled his car door open with the air of a man in charge.
    Darren Welk said they were going to the beach, so it must be so.
    â€œWhat’s the point?” Lonnie pressed. “You and Shawna haven’t spoken a word to each other in the last twenty minutes.”
    â€œWell, tha’s better than screamin’ at each other, isn’t it?” Darren placed a hand on Lonnie’s back and pushed. “Get in your car. We’ll meet you there.”
    Shawna rolled her eyes in weary submission. “I’m driving,Darren,”
    Lonnie heard her say as the Browards headed for their car.
    â€œNo, you’re not,” Darren shot back. Before getting into his car, he ambled over to astand of free local newspapers near the restaurant door and took out a few.
    â€œShe’s trapped,” Lonnie told Todd as they followed the