Page 7 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

Hang on…

My eyes narrowed on the oncoming vehicle.

Gio’s car wasn’t blue? Did he paint it? It was shiny and new looking. So it was possible. I was so going to key whore into the side of that. H-O-R-E.

My eye twitched.

One day I would find that guy, and give him the most intensive spelling lesson known to man. Right now I had bigger problems. Like the stranger pulling to a stop a few feet from the dock.

I scanned the face on the other side of the windshield. That scar on his forehead looked familiar. Did I know this guy? Was he a member of the Cartel? He did have the complexion of someone with that ethnic background. And, it would top off my criminal triad for the day.

A biker, mob boss, and cartel member walked into a bar…

Who needed a phone when they had jokes like that?

The man stepped out and rolled his shoulders back, causing the suit he was wearing to rustle. That’s when I realized where I’d seen him before. He was one of the lackeys I’d seen walking around Gio’s house.

He stopped at the end of the dock and tipped his head. “Why are you wet?”

“I sweat a lot. It’s a serious problem.”

He stared at me for a second as if he was actually considering my statement as fact, before saying, “I was sent to pick you up.”

Was he now?

My eyes wandered back to the lake.

On second thought, phones are important in this day and age, and maybe I’d find my other sandal.

“Let’s go.” He ordered as if I should just listen to him.

Had this guy never heard of stranger danger?

I crossed my arms and ran my eyes down to his shiny black shoes – which he had both of, asshole – then back up to his face. “Aren’t you going to offer me some candy first?”

“I don’t have any candy?”

The fact that he was completely serious astounded me. Clearly I was dealing with superior intelligence here.

My stare narrowed. “How do you spell whore?”

“Is this some kind of pick up code?”

Sure we could go with that.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Alright, w-h-o-r-e.”

Damnit.

“Now, get in.” He threw his thumb back, pointing at the Rover behind him. “I don’t have all day.”

The day was half over, but whatever. “I don’t think so.”

“What’s the problem?”

There were so many ways to answer that question, but I chose to go with, “I’m gonna need some incentive before getting in a car with a complete stranger.”

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