Page 95 of Little Sunshine

Abraham held up a hand behind him to stop their approach. “Yes. Roni used to be a member here.”

“And here is…” Cole prompted, looking around.

“Exactly what the signs say. Eternal Sun is a health and wellness facility that focuses on clearing the dark negativity of the world from people’s bodies and spirits.”

Riiiiiight.

Since I didn’t give a damn about other people’s bodies or spirits, I cut to the chase. “I understand Roni owes you money.”

That time when the men approached, he didn’t try to stop them. They silently flanked his back as he spoke. “Then you also understand that I’ve been incredibly patient with Ms. Rogers.”

No more Roni. It’s Ms. Rogers now.

“I could—and should have—gone to the police and let them handle her. Instead, I went to her directly as soon as we tracked her down.”

I carefully watched his reaction. “And then sent men after her daughter.”

His brows shot up, and he didn’t attempt to smother his surprise. “I wasn’t aware she had a daughter.” His skin lost some of the tan. “H-how…” He cleared his throat. “How old is she?”

“Twenty.”

His shoulders didn’t just relax, they sagged. “Well, as I said, I wasn’t aware of her existence. Even if I was, I don’t send men after anyone.”

“Except Veronica.”

“I visited her myself, and it was simply to remind her how much better life can be without the dark burdens of lies and secrets.” He smiled as he gestured around us. “It’s the philosophy I’ve built the center around, and our members find more fulfillment with those practices than they do with shopping sprees and cheap vodka.”

“And her debt was delinquent membership dues?” Cole asked, still as confused with the details as I was.

“No. Ms. Rogers became unsatisfied with Eternal Sun and our personal relationship. She was under the impression that her role in both would be of much more importance.”

That doesn’t surprise me.

“When the truth became clear to her,” he continued, “she took some of our funds as a parting gift when she left.”

That also doesn’t surprise me.

Abraham’s tone grew more cautious. “If the daughter is anything like the mother, then I’d guess there is no shortage of people who would come after her.”

“She’s not,” I said plainly.

A guy in his late twenties came through the door. Like the others, he wore the same linen uniform. Unlike them, he didn’t carry himself with the same confidence. His gaze darted around before he called, “Sir.”

Abraham flashed that smarmy smile. “My assistant. Give me a moment.”

When he moved into the solarium with his three backups, Cole stepped closer. He kept his voice low. “You buy it?”

I thought it over before lifting my chin. “That he didn’t know about Mila, yes. The rest? Don’t know and don’t care. You?”

“I’m still gonna do some research, but my gut says his surprise was genuine.”

Which was fucked for a couple of reasons.

First, we were back to square one with finding the fuckers who’d hurt Mila.

Second, I’d just served her up on a silver platter to a man who I was pretty damn certain led a cult and had a grudge against her mother.

“You’re paying the debt,” Cole surmised.

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