A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram #1)(88)

“Did you get his name?” Auri asked, not really hopeful. If it was their guy, any name he would’ve given would probably have been fake.

“I did, and that’s when I got even more suspicious.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The name on his shirt read Penny. When I asked him about it, he said it was his last name. John Penny.”

“Sure it was. Did you tell your aunt and uncle?”

“I did. I called Aunt Mari, but she didn’t seem concerned. She said it was probably innocent and it would only fuel Sybil’s fears, so I didn’t say anything to Sybil. I didn’t want to stress her out, you know?”

“I do. Can you describe the guy?”

“He was pretty unremarkable. Average height. Fairly fit. Brown hair and glasses. But I don’t think I could pick him out of a lineup if you paid me to. And I’ll pretty much do anything for money. But this happened months ago.”

“That’s okay, Mads. You have been so helpful. Did my number come up on your cell?”

“Yep.”

“Can you call me if you remember anything else? Anything at all?”

“Of course. Can you keep me updated? Please? My family is . . . difficult.”

“Absolutely.”

When she took her phone off Do Not Disturb, her mom had texted her again.

“You know I was kidding, right?”

“About what?” she asked, giggling just a little. Then she texted, “He may have been keeping an eye on Sybil in Chicago. If so, he’s average height, semi-fit, brown hair, and glasses.”

Her mom texted back. “How did you—? Never mind. She didn’t mention that in the letter or her journal.”

“This is from a cousin in Chicago. He always believed her.”

“At least someone did. How many laws did you break getting this information?”

“How many are there?”

When her mom texted back, “Aurora Dawn Vicram,” Auri fought a giggle before hopping up and running into the kitchen.

“Hey, Gran, I need to make a quick run to the apartment.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I made tortillas and green chile stew.”

Auri’s mouth watered instantly. “It smells divine. I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me!”

She threw on her jacket and hurried across the backyard to the new apartment. The one she loved and had planned on spending the rest of her life in. She’d never felt home, really home, until they’d moved back to Del Sol. Like it had been calling to her. Waiting for her.

Then Lynelle Amaia happened.

She punched in the combination to unlock the door right as a hand closed over her mouth.





20


Caller reported man at Del Sol Lake

forcibly baptizing the children swimming there.



—DEL SOL POLICE BLOTTER

Sun drove back to the station still trembling. Not from Clay’s attempts at intimidation. That pervert couldn’t make her tremble if he rented a tree shaker.

Nope. Levi Ravinder had been making her tremble in her boots since they were kids, but they’d had a rough history and were having an even rougher present.

While he’d never been what one would call flirtatious, they did have a moment in high school. Sun, a freshman at the time, had snuck out for the first time in her life. She and Quincy wanted to go to their first high school party. They’d talked about it all through middle school, but by the end of the night, all Quincy had was a raging headache and all Sun had was a memory of Levi Ravinder she would cherish forever.

They’d walked into the clearing, thrilled by all the upperclassmen and the bonfire and the red Solo cups full of any number of alcoholic beverages.

Someone handed her a cup of beer. Since she hated the stuff, she only pretended to drink. Quincy, however, did not pretend. He would later come to regret that decision.

As she wandered around, taking in all the playful flirtations and heated flirtations and downright X-rated flirtations, she saw him. Levi Ravinder. He’d clearly had too much to drink and had passed out under a tree away from the melee.

She couldn’t help herself. She strolled closer. At first, she just wanted to see if he was really sleeping. But as she got nearer, she realized he was actually watching her through hooded lids, his lashes making it almost impossible to see his shimmering irises.

She started to back away. “Sorry. I thought maybe you were passed out.”

“Not yet,” he said, watching her like a mountain lion watches its prey.

“Right. Well, if you’re okay, I’ll just—”

“Want some?” He lifted a small jug off the ground.

“Um, I have this,” she said, holding out her cup.

“You mean the beer you haven’t taken a sip of?”

“How did you—? Maybe. I just don’t like the taste.”

“You’ll like this.” He lifted the jug again, as though inviting her to get closer. To taste what he had to offer. As he lay sprawled on the ground, his shirt had ridden up. She could see his rock-hard abdomen and even the tops of his red boxers.

She stepped closer, and he held the jug up to her, his hold shaky at best. Since she couldn’t quite reach it, she knelt beside him and reached over him.

“What is it?”