Page 33 of Wrapped in Silver

Cursing under my misty breath, I spin toward the shed. It’s big and modern with its own generator. It’s not on, though. I’d hear the drone if it was.

He wouldn’t leave Dad in there… would he?

I sneak over with narrowed eyes, trying to hear any commotion from in there—muffled screaming or something. Pressing my ear against the door makes me double-down on self-awareness. I’m nuts right now.

If Rodney saw me, he’d report me to my uncle and then I’d be in deep shit.

Doesn’t matter… that jerk didn’t listen about the Russian symbol, and now I’m in this position because of him.

I click the handle, and gasp when the latch opens.

No lock on a shed? That’s effing suspicious.

Against my better judgement, I slip inside to a wooden work-table clean of any shavings. Tools are all gloved for safety. Oh, I see what’s going on here. If any of the set-designers needed to make some last-minute adjustments, they probably come here.Duh.

Well… no sign of Dad. No sign of anyone…

Boof!

The light sucks out of the room, as does all the air from my lungs when the door slams shut behind me.

Just a gust of wind.

I turn around to open the door.

“Huu!”I gasp again when a hand claps over my mouth.

Chapter 10

Quinn

Screaming, biting, and kicking do nothing. With one squeeze, whatever remaining air pushes tears to my eyes.

Then achhichkof an overhead stringed light resounds, followed by an amber glow that shows my silver-haired fox I want to both grind on and simultaneously punch in both eyes.

“Got a notification that a rodent was sneaking around my business,” he growls.

I jerk to get free from his grasp, testing his strength. His grip is ironclad, yet gentle enough not to hurt or leave marks.

He releases his hand from my mouth.

“Piece ofshit. You scared the fuck out of me!”

“Serves you right. Nowpipe down,” he growls again, his cold minty breath wafting in the air. His eyes and hair make him look like a snow wolf. A perfectly dapper one.

God it’s such a relief to see him. No way I’m letting him out of my sight now.

“Thought you mobsters weren’t allowed to use Wi-Fi and GPS.” I try to push out of his grip again. “Otherwise, my dad would’ve been all over you jerks.”

“There are other ways to be notified.” He smiles angrily at me. “Besides, you must have a short-term memory disorder. What do you kids call it? TikTok brain? Brain rot?”

“The hell are you talking about?” I wriggle, heat flushing my cheeks.

“I only show you what I choose for you to see. And right now, I’m a legitimate businessman,retiredfrom anything they might’ve thought I was a part of.”

“You’re giving Ghostface right now.” I wriggle again, and he lets me go.

“What did you just call me?” He narrows his eyes like I hit a nerve. “How do you know that name—?”

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