Page 66 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

You are a disgusting pig! Prison was too good for you!Dillyn found her voice. She croaked out the words that were burning inside her, “How are you here? Why are you here?”

“I got out early for good behavior, thanks to you.”

“Me?” Dillyn didn’t understand.

“Yes, you. Apparently, you have friends, if you want to call them that, in high places.”

There wasn’t anyone Dillyn knew who would have helped her father get out of prison. It would have been quite the opposite. Dillyn’s feet were still rooted to the floor. The only thing she could move was her mouth. However, her brain was slowly catching up, “You should still be serving time.”

The darkness that surrounded Melvin when Dillyn was a child was still present. Maybe even more so. She imagined it was hard to bury that kind of evil, “how did you get out?”

“You have something they want, and in exchange for my freedom, I told them I could get it. So here I am. You sound unhappy that your father is no longer rotting in prison.”

Father. You must be kidding me.Dillyn didn’t say what was on her mind. She couldn’t, not when part of her still felt like that terrified little girl who didn’t want to provoke him. Dillyn had to remind herself that she wasn’t that child! She was a grown-ass woman. Dillyn forced herself to ask the obvious question, “What do you want? I told you in my texts that I have nothing to give.”

“I’m telling you that’s not true. You might not know it, but you do.”

Murderous rage bubbled to the surface surprising even her. Dillyn spoke through clenched teeth, “You took everything I had including my innocence! I have nothing left to take or give!”

“I took everything?” His eyes smoldered with anger. It was clear that he was doing everything in his power to keep it at bay, “I took everything!? It was your testimony that sent me to prison!”

“It was your actions that sent you to prison! I was a kid!”

“Lower, your goddamned voice. You’re going to get us both killed!”

Dillyn was confused. “What?”

“Do you think the people who need that information sent me here alone? At this very moment, they are around and watching. So if you want to stay alive and get back to your lil cowboy, you better go along with the plan.”

For some strange reason, Dillyn believed him. Someone who had power had to arrange Melvin’s release. Nervously, Dillyn glanced about, wondering if any of the people milling about were part of Melvin’s crew. “Then, you’re going to get us both killed because I already told you I don’t have anything. And even if I did, I would never give it to you. So, if I’m the reason you’re in Summer, you might as well leave.”

Melvin stepped into Dillyn’s personal space. She tried to back up a step not realizing how close she was to the lockers and smacked right into them.

He grabbed a handful of her hair and wrapped it around his fist and yanked her close. Dillyn could smell the rank odor of his breath every time he blew out a breath.

In the past, Melvin had allowed men to violate her, but he never had. This time she wasn’t so sure he wouldn’t. Dillyn wasn’t going to take any chances. Subtly, she pressed the secret distress button.

He spoke in hushed tones, “You have quite a few assets worth a lot and I plan to collect.”

Chapter 30

“Let her go.”

Dillyn didn’t recognize that voice. Immediately, her head snapped toward the sound to see who spoke in such hushed tones but with so much authority. It was impossible to get a clear view because Melvin stood in the way.

His eyes filled with hatred. There was an unspoken battle brewing between the two of them. Dillyn had no idea who would win or what Melvin would do. After several intense moments, Melvin released her and stepped back.

Dillyn breathed a huge sigh of relief. With Melvin off to her side, she now had a clearer view of the person who ordered him to let her go. He wasn’t very tall or muscular. One might even say he was unassuming until she got a good look at his dark brown eyes, sizing her up behind wire-rimmed glasses. Those eyes were calculating. One might even say cunning. Dillyn didn’t know what to make of him.

Is he a friend or foe?She wasn’t sure.

He stepped a little closer. “Ms. Anderson, I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.”

Dillyn gripped her backpack tightly. “I-I don’t know who you are or why you want to meet me.”

A corner of his thin lips lifted. “I told you I have some information you want, and you certainly have something I need.”

Dillyn shook her head. “I don’t. I honestly have no idea what Steven was into.”

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