Page 154 of Dark Endures

Maddox rolls up the window.

“Weren’t you scared of the men?” If Mom heard me utter those words to a man, she’d slap me silly. You never question a man’s bravery.

“Nah. Guards rarely shoot. They generally try to apprehend. The guns are just for show. The people that should scare you are in that shack.” He nods to the other guard house. “They’re the ones that do the damage.”

“You know that’s not helping.”

“We’re fine. We were invited.”

The guard walks out to our car again. “Mr. Linckester welcomes you to his home. Follow the road to the main house.”

Main house? How many houses are on this property?

The guard backs up as the gate opens.

“See, told you nothing to worry about.” Maddox reaches out and pats my leg.

Guns don’t seem like nothing. But I smile at him, anyway.

This road is just as empty, but the trees seem to be perfectly spaced and landscaped. They don’t naturally occur that way.

It takes a good fifteen minutes of driving to reach the house. “That can’t be a house.” It’s got to be a university or government building…maybe even a palace.

“But it is. The Linckesters like their space, it seems.”

Who needs this much of either?

Maddox drives around the massive loop that leads to the porte cochere.

Mom and Percival step out of a two-story-high steel door. Not at all imposing.

“Ready to put on a show?” I feel anything but.

“I’m ready to meet your mother.” He leaves the key in the ignition and hops out to open my door.

“Mindy, sweetheart, we’re so happy to see you.” My mother only has eyes for Maddox. “And this must be your boyfriend. It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” She reaches a hand out to him.

“Maddox Locke, ma’am, and the pleasure is all mine. Mindy has told me so much about you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.”

“Thank you.” She assesses the cut of his clothing and his watch. “This is my fiancé, Percival Linckester.”

“We’ve met, my dear.” Percival shakes Maddox’s hand.

“You have?” Her eyes widen.

I can just see her counting the money in Maddox’s bank account.

“Yes, we’ve done business together several times.”

Why can’t I see Maddox working with this man? Percival gives me the creeps.

“We have so much to do. Why don’t you come with me, Mindy, and we’ll get your dress fitted. Maddox can spend some time with the boys. I think they’re shooting some guns.”

Percival stares at Maddox. “Yes, we are. It should be right up your alley.”

What did I get us into?

Whiskey And Guns

---