On a Knife's Edge by Lynda Bailey Read Free Book Online Page B

can.”
    Todd? Ugh. She crossed her arms. “No.”
    Her brother’s eyes ballooned. “ No? You just agreed
this was necessary.”
    “I also just made the point that Lynch isn’t within five
hundred miles of Stardust. I think I’ll be safe showering in my own home.”
    “But Callan isn’t your only threat. The Streeters could come
after you.”
    “They haven’t in the last seven years. Why would they
suddenly target me now?”
    “Because Lynch is being released,” Graham offered.
“Sometimes it takes a catalyst like that to motivate them for revenge.
    Shasta looked at Adam, who’d been abnormally quiet. His
intent stare knotted her stomach. She toughened her posture. “Does anyone else
know Lynch is getting out?”
    He shrugged. The small movement reminded her of a
rattlesnake shedding its skin. “Doubtful. I only received a call once Callan’s
lawyer knew I couldn’t block his release. I doubt she’d risk telling a lot of
people for fear the news would leak and they’d lose the element of surprise.” 
    “In other words I should be fine.”
    “ Should be doesn’t mean you will be ,” Dell
rebutted.
    She shook her head. “You’re not winning this argument, big
brother. I’m going home—alone. But I’ll be back in time for you…” She pointed
her finger at Dell. “…to buy me lunch. A number four from Hopkins Deli, no mayo
and extra pickles.” She placed her hand on Graham’s shoulder. “Call me when you
get to Vegas?”
    “Of course.” He maneuvered his chair toward the door. “I’ll
walk you out. My taxi should arrive any time now.”
    Nodding, she looked over her shoulder at Dell. “Guess I’ll
see you later.”
    “Count on that, sis,” he grumbled.
    She glanced at the district attorney, barely suppressing
another shudder. “Adam.”
    “Shasta.”
    The way he said her name scurried more icky goose bumps over
her skin. She wasted no time escaping the stationhouse with Graham.
    The handicap van was indeed waiting for her husband and once
he was safely aboard, she waved and watched as it exited the parking lot. Once
in the sanctuary of her car, she called Melissa and begged off the planned
activity. Her friend sounded disappointed, but accepting. Shasta then inhaled a
breath and texted 411 to Mark “Hez” Hernandez.
    Hez had been Lynch’s best friend since they were kids, and
once Lynch went to prison, he became her confidant. But she hadn’t had any
contact with Hez in over two years. Her cheeks heated at the memory of what
drunken mess she’d been that last time…
    She shoved the image away and stared at the blank screen.
What if Hez had a different number? How would she get in touch with him? She
only had a small window of time before needing to be back at the station…
    The answer came when her phone buzzed with the message on
my way .
    She tossed her phone in the passenger seat and turned the
ignition key, wondering what Hez thought of her contacting him after all this
time. Well, that couldn’t be helped.
    He needed to know Lynch was getting out of prison before it
was too late.

 
    Chapter Four
     
    SHIT.
SHIT. SHIT.
    I can’t believe my phone beeped with the message she’s just
sent the 411 text…the code for her Streeter buddy, Hez, to meet her. I knew I
should’ve killed that bastard when I had the chance. If he lays one finger on
her, I’ll…
    It’s been over two years since Shasta met with Hez. Two
years of me being stupidly complacent. No doubt the news of Callan’s release
prompted this rendezvous—that reality only fuels the anger pounding through my
blood.
    I know marriage to the “invalid” has been hard. She’s so
young and beautiful, she deserves a husband who can satisfy all her
needs. But soon enough when she’ll get everything that coming to her. She’ll
get me . She just needs to stay patient—and celibate. I’ll be supremely
disappointed if she doesn’t.
    I slammed my sedan to a stop, the sound of gravel spewing
beneath the tires, but