Page 99 of Hiss and Make Up
“Please,” Mrs. Guidry begged, turning back to him. “I know I don’t have the right to ask, but couldn’t you fib a little? For Chloe?”
“No.”
“She’s going to find out anyway,” she said. “She works for the paper too.”
Marc nodded. “Right, but that’s not what I meant. That brings us to the second fact you missed.”
Footsteps approached behind him, but the police were still exiting their cars on the other side of the house. The tears sliding down Mrs. Guidry’s face told him she had a clear view of who was behind him.
“I'm not the one who called the police," Marc said.
Mrs. Guidry sobbed, and her body shook with despair. Chloe stopped beside the truck’s bumper, several feet away from her mother. After a few moments of painful silence, the cops arrived, aiming flashlights and asking questions. While one talked to Chloe, the other grabbed Mrs. Guidry under the arm and helped her to her feet. Sierra dropped her shovel and ran to stop them. She grabbed Mrs. Guidry’s other arm and spun her around, prompting the cop to put a hand on his gun.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Marc held one hand up at the cop and pulled Sierra back with the other. She was going to get them killed after all. “Easy, cowboy,” he whispered in her ear.
“Dale.” Sierra gave the woman a death stare. “Where is he?”
“Who’s Dale?” the cop asked.
Mrs. Guidry frowned and nodded toward the road. “My house. Master bathroom. Tied up but fine. He should be awake soon. I just needed his truck to move the body.”
The cop reached for his handcuffs and recited her rights, as he snapped the cuffs on her wrists. To Marc and Sierra, he said, “Don’t go anywhere. We need to take your statements.” Then he walked Mrs. Guidry to his car.
As soon as his back was to them, Sierra turned to bolt. Marc grabbed for her hand before she was out of reach.
“I’m getting Dale.” Her face and voice were both set with determination.
He pulled her close, put both hands on her arms, and looked her in the eyes. “You’re more insane than her if you think there’s any chance I’m letting you out of my sight again. Not because I want to keep an eye on you, but because we’re in thistogether.Today. Tomorrow. Maybe forever.” He smiled at her. “You’re stuck with me.”
Her lips pouted, and she narrowed her eyes, while he braced himself for the lashing. He could take it. What he couldn’t take was thinking he’d lost her again.
Instead of unleashing her wrath, she smiled that mischievous smile he’d grown to love. "All right then.” She took his hand off of her arm and laced her fingers with his. “I guess I'm taking you with me."
25
One Month Later
Sierra carried a plate piled high with raw burger patties to the patio. “No, these aren’t for you, buddy.” Puck jumped and pirouetted alongside her. “Later, maybe.”
“Can I help?” Freddy met her with his hands outstretched.
“Nope. Thanks.” She nodded toward the ice chest in the corner. “Grab a drink and hang out with the others. We’ve got this.”
“You sure? Need me to get anything else inside?” He scratched at his stubble, the result of a long night and a hangover earlier that morning. Based on all Marc had told her about Freddy so far, she was pretty confident in her assumption.
“We’re good. I promise. Have you met Liz yet? She’s with Luna by the kiddie pool. She’s a tattoo artist.”
“Really?”
Sierra nodded and aimed her right arm at him. “Yeah, she’s amazing.”
He took Sierra’s arm in his hand to examine her half-sleeve. “Very cool.” Then, he winked at her and headed off to most likely charm his way into a discount. Halfway there though, the shiny little package that was Chloe Guidry caught his eye, and Freddy made a sharp turn.
Marc took the plate from her and lifted the grill lid. “Did you talk to her yet?”
“Not yet. I’m going to check on everyone first.”
She kissed him on the cheek, and the ease of their interaction caught her off guard.
