Page 62 of Law

Best case scenario, he was overreacting. Worst case, whoever had messed with his girl. was going to die.

CHAPTER 24

Lovelyn Reese stared at the two intruders at their table. Gabi had scooted as far against the wall as she could. Her friend looked terrified, but Lovie had a feeling it was all an act. Gabi’s hands were both below the table, giving her the perfect chance to text someone that they were in trouble.

And they were definitely in trouble. Big, big trouble.

She had no idea where Raleigh had gone. He’d been standing in front of the large plate-glass window at the front of the restaurant, watching them as he spoke. Now, he was gone.

She picked her crayon up and started coloring again. Maybe if the General didn’t know she was scared to death, he’d think she wasn’t an easy target. She’d been enjoying doodling pictures on the tablecloth, but now she tried to think of a way she could send a 911 message.

Maybe if she made a ruckus and demanded more crayons, someone would come to the table who could help them.

Spotting an unused place setting on the table, she placed her forearm over it and slid it into the sleeve of herjacket. It was only a spork and a butter knife, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, and it was better than nothing.

If Law were here, he’d know what to do. Actually, if her Viking were here, none of this would be happening at all. There was no way the General would have the guts to take on her Daddy.

Why was the General here? What did he have planned? He couldn’t force her to leave with him. Someone would stop him. He couldn’t do anything here, either, for the same reason.

She wanted her Daddy. If she could get back to him, she’d never leave his land again. She’d learn how to be a homesteader and live off the land. Of course, she probably needed to learn how to be in a kitchen for more than five minutes without injuring herself.

Tired of waiting, she asked, “So, do you have some reason for joining our table and ruining our lunch? Or did you just drop in for the Bottomless Spaghetti Bowl? It’s today’s special, you know.” She eyed the woman across from her. What was her name? Carolina? Savannah? Lovie couldn’t remember. All she remembered was the one conversation she’d had with the woman had been enough to last her a lifetime.

The woman rolled her eyes and sighed. “Please don’t talk. Your voice is truly horrendous. I’d rather hear koalas in heat.” Turning to the General, she added, “I suppose I’ll have to call Ravage. He should be here already. We need him to do his part if you insist on taking the sideshow circus freak back to Graceview. Honestly, Alexander. Find some better henchmen.”

Lovelyn’s cheeks warmed. She could care less what the woman thought of her, but now she was going to have to get online and listen to what koalas in heat sounded like. It was official. She didn’t like Ms. New Hampshire, or North Dakota, or whatever her name was. The woman was just plain rude.

Lovelyn would actually love for the woman to call Ravage. Hewas the one person at the compound who might help them. Well, maybe not help them, but he wouldn’t hurt them. Probably.

Time to figure out who this woman was. “Well, thank you for calling Ravage, Miss… um, what was your name again?”

The woman scowled at her. Her scowl was almost as good as the General’s.

Don’t think about him. You’ll have to deal with him soon enough.

“Nevada. My name is Nevada Donnelley, owner and CEO of the Graceview Retreat Center.” She paused as if the name should mean something to Lovelyn. When Lovelyn didn’t respond with the correct amount of enthusiasm, Nevada continued. Rolling her eyes, she said, “The place you call the compound. I’ll have you know Graceview has been in my family for generations. You’re lucky I don’t have someone take you to Winnie’s pond.”

Yeah, Lucky Lovelyn. That was her. And what the heck was Winnie’s pond?

“Thank you, Nevada, for that informative description of your importance in the universe. And thank Ravage for me, too.”

Nevada rolled her eyes again and stood. But instead of walking out, she stared down at the General.

“I’m leaving now. You don’t need me for this. If I’d known you were going out to collect trash, I would have told you I wasn’t coming. My head is pounding from the stench of sub-par food.”

The General didn’t spare Nevada a glance. “Get out, Nevada, and take that stupid chit of a girl with you. I need to speak with our guest here. Call Ravage and tell him he’d better be here with his band of merry men within five minutes.”

Nevada’s eyes narrowed at the General’s back before she shifted her attention back to Gabi. “If you make a scene, I will gut you like a rainbow trout and laugh as you bleed out on the floor. Are we clear?” Wide-eyed, Gabi nodded. Sliding from the seat, she mouthed, “I’m sorry.” Nevada smirked and ushered Gabi out of the restaurant.

“Where is she taking Gabi? What is she going to do to her?”

“You’d better start worrying about yourself. Gabi Schwindler is the least of your concerns right now.”

And that’s when she saw the manic look in the General’s eyes. The man should try an insanity defense. He’d win.

She tried to scoot closer to the wall. She needed her Viking. She wouldn’t mind being able to hold Owlbert and Buzzy, either.

On second thought, she didn’t want her stuffies here. They might get hurt. If she’d had any warning that the General would show up, she wouldn’t have been here, either. Law was never going to let her out of his sight again. He’d probably get one of those leashes she’d seen parents use with their toddlers to keep from getting separated.

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