Page 120 of Tequila Tuesdays

“Where’s his gun?” I asked. It made me sick thinking about what could have happened.

Shanda looked around. “I stomped on his hand when he fell, then I picked it up and threw it as hard as I could.”

Damien eyed Shanda then shook his head. “You need a lesson in gun safety.” He glanced at the officers. “I need to tell them there’s a gun around here somewhere.”

Over the next half hour, the officers scanned the area and found Jason’s gun, then questioned Shanda and took her statement.

Bertie was cranky and tired by then, so we drove them over to their mother’s apartment. Damien took the stroller up to the second floor, and I carried Bertie. She laid her head on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep.

Shanda looked wrung out and tired as she eyed the little girl in my arms. “I’m tired of worrying about Bertie and looking over my shoulder.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

She stared at me, her brows furrowed. “Let the prosecutor know I’ll testify about the car wreck. About Jason threatening me, and even what was in his backpack. But I don’t know anything else. Not about any drug dealers, any other people, or places. Any of it.”

I knew she was lying, but I couldn’t blame her. She had enough to worry about just trying to live her life and protect her sister.

“I’ll make sure the prosecutor is aware. You don’t know about anything else,” I told her, willing her to understand she could never talk about what she knew to anyone, even me or Damien.

We needed plausible deniability. Shanda was only eighteen years old, but life had already taught her some hard lessons.

Damien smiled at Shanda. “You did well today. You kept your head and were smart to lock yourself in the bathroom and call for help. And taking him out with a stroller was fucking amazing.”

I nodded. “You’re one hell of a sister. You know that, right?”

Shanda looked at us, and her eyes filled with tears. “You guys are the shit. I don’t think I could have gotten through all this crap without you. So, thank you.”I finally handed Bertie over to her and gave them both a hug. “If I ever have to represent you again for new charges, I’m going to kick your scrawny little ass.”

Shanda laughed. Bertie started waking up and fussing again, so we said goodbye. As we walked away, I sent a little prayer out to the Universe to keep them both safe.

Chapter 38

Damienfollowedmehomein his truck after we dropped Shanda and Bertie off. On the way, I called the courthouse to ask the bailiffs to keep my briefcase in their office until tomorrow morning.

Gary greeted us enthusiastically at the door. Damien fed him while I changed into sweats and an old, thin t-shirt.

When Damien saw me, he looked at my chest and smirked. “I like your t-shirt, sweetheart.”

I glanced down and noticed my black lace bra clearly showing through the thin fabric. I shrugged.

His face grew serious. “Why didn’t you tell me about Jason?”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and tucked my head under his chin. “I was scared.”

Damien squeezed me hard. “You said you don’t want me to get hurt. But you showed up at the park less than five minutes after I did, knowing that fucker had a gun.”

I thought about what could have happened again and squeezed him back. “You’re right, I didn’t think. We called the police, and then Shanda told Jason she’d already called you, and you were only a few minutes out, and I panicked.”

Damien stroked my back. “It’s okay, I understand.”

My heart raced, and I felt a little sick. “I can’t go through losing someone else.”

He hugged me again. “Shanda and Bertie are safe now, and Jason will go to prison for a long time. We’re both fine, Legs. Let’s forget about it for a while.”

I took a deep breath and stepped back. “Okay. That sounds good.”

I made margaritas, and we grilled dinner together, then had our meal and drinks out on the back patio around my firepit. Damien finished eating before I did, and he watched me carefully.

I’d turned the heat up on the spool before we started making dinner. When we finished, Damien took my hand and led me over. Neither of us had swimsuits on. We didn’t need them.

---