Read Online Freefall by Tess Oliver - Free Book Online

there was no freedom.
    Grady’s green Mercedes was in the driveway as Lincoln pulled up to the garage. The car was empty. “What the hell?” Lincoln muttered. We opened the back door and walked inside. Voices and laughter met us. Grady, two of his minions, and a third scary looking guy I’d never seen before had made themselves comfortable in the living room. Tension shot off Lincoln in hot sparks.
    “How the fuck did you guys get in here?” Lincoln asked.
    Grady motioned to the French doors that led to the pool area. “We just walked in. They were unlocked. You really ought to be more careful.” Grady’s tone sounded cold and distant, almost threatening. The stranger had a shaved head, an expensive black suit, and a face that not even a mother could love.
    “My alarm system is a joke,” Lincoln sneered. He walked over to his wet bar to pour a drink. He made a point of not offering one to his guests. “Next time wait for me.”
    Grady flopped down on the leather sofa. “Yeah, I’ll do that. Anyhow, I brought Samson along to discuss the deal.”
    Lincoln’s face snapped my direction. “Why don’t you head upstairs, Scotlyn.”
    I turned and left the room. I was happy to go upstairs. I had no idea what was going on, and I really didn’t care, but it definitely seemed like Lincoln’s business dealings were getting shadier by the day.
     

 
    C HAPTER 9
    Nix
    “Where were you?” Clutch asked. “I thought you were coming right after work.” The giant parking lot was already filled with gleaming cars of every model and make. And all the usual people were milling about staring at the cars as if they were seeing them for the first time.
    “I had to stop by Nana’s house.” The whole day I’d been moving in a slow motion haze, my mind stuck on Scotlyn.
    “How’s Nana doing?” Both Clutch and Dray had grown up closer to my grandmother than to their own parents, and they’d spent more time at our house than their own too. Mostly because there was a constant flow of ugly crap happening at their houses and smiling and laughter were not only accepted but encouraged at Nana’s.
    “Physically, she’s fine.”
    “Yeah, that sucks.” He looked over at Rocky’s Burger Place. “Hey, the line is shorter. Let’s go, I’m starved.”
    “When aren’t you starved?” Rocky’s Burgers made better shakes than burgers, but if you shoved enough stuff under the bun and flooded it with ketchup, it was edible.
    “I sure hope I get a bite on the Firebird tonight,” Clutch said.
    “Hey, I had a rich client in the shop last night. Said he’s looking for a muscle car. One of those dudes with tons of money to spend but who probably doesn’t know shit about cars. He took the flyer with him.” I said it casually as if I hadn’t been wondering all day if I might see her tonight.
    “Yeah? Cool. Who is this client? Is he a regular?”
    I hadn’t told Clutch anything about the girl yet because I knew he would just pile on with Dray for a good laugh. But since I knew Dray would bring it up, I had no choice. “You’re not going to believe it when I tell you, and then you’re going to be an asshole when you hear it.”
    “Huh? You need food, Bro. You’re not making sense.” Clutch got to the window and ordered his usual truckload of food.
    “Hey, leave some for the rest of us,” Dray called from behind. He was six people back with dark sunglasses to cover his black eye.
    I placed my order, and we stood by the pick-up window.
    “Hey, Clutch, I just had an offer of fifteen on the Chevelle,” Cooper, a regular, and Clutch’s biggest competition said as he headed to the window for his order.
    “For that piece of shit? My grandmother could outpace that thing on her bicycle,” Clutch said. The guy responded with his finger. “So, what’s with this client, and why will I be an asshole about it? Not that I’m not always an asshole.”
    “The tattoo is for his girlfriend,” I said.
    Clutch stared down at me.