29. Melly

29

MELLY

I brushed my teeth, took a shower, and dressed, then walked out to the kitchen on bare feet.

As I was taking eggs from the fridge to make an omelet, someone knocked on the door. I peeked around the curtain covering the window, seeing someone dressed in a blue uniform with a patch on her right chest stating Griffon Express , the name of Mystic Harbor's courier service. The griffon held a manilla envelope and a welcoming smile on her golden lion face.

I opened the door. "Hi."

"Melinda Brandt?"

"Yes."

She held out the envelope. "This is for you."

As I took it from her, I noted my name scrawled on the front. "Thank you."

"We aim to please." She clambered up onto the railing surrounding my small, second-story deck, and jumped off, her wings snapping out .

I watched in awe as she soared above Grannie's backyard and continued up over the building beyond.

Speaking of Grannie, I needed to go make her breakfast. She enjoyed sleeping in, and she never wanted more than tea first thing in the morning, but she'd soon be wondering where I was. I always checked in with her before I left for work.

I kicked the door shut and walked over to lay the envelope on my kitchen table. What could it be? I'd never received anything by courier before.

With a shrug, I unsealed the back and spread it open, peering inside.

Upending it, I slid a letter and an eight by ten photo out onto the table. I couldn't look away from the grainy image. The lighting was poor, but there was no mistaking me kneeling in front of Elrik, his cock buried deep within my mouth.

In a blur, I read the typed letter.

There's a garden behind Eerie Editions, the bookstore in the strip mall on the edge of town. In the back, beneath a tree, you'll find a wooden box. Leave ten thousand dollars in small bills inside by eleven this morning, and we won't take this and the rest of the pictures to your grandmother. We won't post them all over town. You wouldn't want to disappoint Grannie Rose with something like this, now would you?

Don't tell the cops. Don't bring your ice lord hero. And don't look around after placing the cash inside the box. Leave and don't look back.

We'll be watching. If you behave, so will we.

I snarled, flinging the letter on top of the photo.

Grannie would be upset if she saw pictures of me pleasuring Elrik in this way. She'd be ashamed of me. The embarrassment would kill me, but that wasn't the worst thing about it.

If word of this spread through town, it would haunt us.

I'd spent most of my life hoping I wouldn't disappoint her.

This . . .

She'd be horrified if she saw something like this.

"I have to give them the cash," I whispered. "If I don't, I'll be ruined." I collapsed in a chair and cupped my face, sucking in a ragged breath before shoving it back out. Over and over until my head spun. I still couldn't figure out how I was going to get myself out of this situation.

"You're not alone," I said firmly, struggling to regain control.

Grabbing the letter and the picture, I stuffed them into the envelope and closed it once more.

I stopped in to see Grannie, who shooed me away, telling me she'd have a bowl of cereal later. She was in the middle of watching one of her favorite shows. She'd see me at dinnertime.

"Alright." I kissed her cheek and forced a smile.

She stared up at me, a frown appearing on her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said, wishing my voice didn't come out shrill. "Nothing at all."

"Did you and Elrik fight?"

"Nothing like that. I . . . just need to go to the bank on my way to work, and I'm already running late."

She nodded slowly. "You'd tell me if there was a problem, right? You know I'm always here for you. I have been since before your mom died."

"I know that." I gave her a quick hug. "There's nothing wrong."

Nothing that couldn't be fixed.

I left and drove into town, parking in the lot across from Creature Cones. The bank was on my left at the end of the street.

It wouldn't take long to withdraw the money, though it would clean out all of my savings. That new equipment I'd been looking at online? I'd no longer be able to afford it. But there was enough to fix this, to make it go away.

Or not.

I sagged against my seat, tipping my head back to stare at the roof of my car.

More than likely, they'd demand more cash—money I didn't have. How long before I had to start thinking about selling my business?

I wasn't going to worry about that right now. No, I was going to take charge of this situation, and I knew how.

I left my car and strode into the small convenience store to the left of Boogey Beasts. After making a quick purchase, I hurried to Monsters, PI. I still had fifteen minutes before I had to deliver the cash and it would only take five to drive there.

I needed some reassurance, and there was only one person who could give it to me: Elrik.

"Hey, Melly," Bailey said.

"Is Elrik in his office?"

"He is. There's someone with him, but I imagine they'll be finishing up soon. Would you like me to tell him you're here?"

"No, I'll just poke my head in and say hi. I need to get to work soon." If he was still busy, I could tell him everything later.

She nodded and gave me a smile before returning to her computer.

I walked down the hall, hearing people speaking inside the offices on my right, though the doors were closed, and I couldn't make out their words.

Elrik's door was cracked open, but I didn't hear anyone talking inside. Had he already left? Maybe he was on his way to see me.

I nudged open the door but came to a shuddering halt, my eyes widening as I took in the scene in front of me.

Elrik held a woman in his arms, and he was kissing her.