Page 30 of Vandal Unbound

I point into the back. “My daughter, Elsie.”

Elsie wiggles as far forward as her seat and seat belt allow. “He’s not Vandal,” she says, her voice filled with suspicion.

“This is Havoc,” I say, wondering whether that’s polite enough or I should have called himMr. Havoc. I have no clue what the etiquette is.

“Who is Havoc?” she asks.

“I’m Vandal’s best friend,” Havoc says, smiling at my daughter, who is currently scowling.

“I drew Vandal a picture and want to give it to him,” she says, grabbing it from the seat to show him.

“Hey, Elsie. That’s a great likeness of Vandal.” He turns back to me. “You’ve seen Vandal outside of the bar?”

“Long story.” And I shouldn’t be the one to tell it. “Is he here?”

Havoc nods. “Pull your car into the lot and park up over there.” He points to a spot near the entrance. “Nothing will happen to it. And I’ll go get the big guy.”

I do as he instructs, reversing into the spot, and try to ignore the feeling I just drove into the lion’s den.

“Look, Momma, that man has drawings on his head,” Elsie says.

I glance where she’s looking and see the man she’s talking about. He’s tattooed all over his bald skull and a significant chunk of his face. I can’t see what sits beneath the bushy red beard, but I look away quickly before he catches us staring and turn to face Elsie. “When we get out of the car, we gotta be on our best behavior. And that means not making comments about people’s appearances. Those are tattoos. It is like a drawing, but they use a needle.”

Her face screws up at that. “That’s gross. I don’t like needles.”

“Don’t forget Vandal has tattoos.”

Lines disappear from her face. “They’re not gross.”

I can’t help but smile at that. But I do agree with Elsie on one thing. I don’t have any ink because I don’t like needles either. “Let’s just…be careful. And you stick with me and hold my hand so I don’t lose you, okay?”

She smiles, then claps. “I’m excited.”

That’s one word to describe the rumblings in my stomach.

Butterflies. Abject fear. Nerves. Adrenaline.

I’m not sure what it is.

I climb out of the car at the same time a truck pulls in two spaces down from us. A beautiful woman in a pale blue polo shirt and denim shorts gets out.

“Hey,” she says as I get Elsie out of the car. “Are you looking for someone?”

Maybe it’s silly, but seeing another woman, one who looks so…normal…makes me feel safer. “We came to see Vandal.”

Elsie jumps up and down and waves her drawing at the woman. “I gave him a star.”

The woman drops into a crouch and takes the picture from Elsie to study it before a wide smile breaks out on her face. “This looks just like Vandal. You did such a good job.” The woman stands and offers me her hand. “I’m Maren. Knox is my boyfriend. Wait, maybe I should saypartner. I’m his old lady.”She grins as she shakes her head and pulls a leather cut out of the rear seat of the truck and puts it on.

On the back it saysProperty of Knox. The sight of it gives me mixed feelings. The idea of being something someone owns gives me the ick. But also, the idea of being someone’s so badly, they want to own you? I sigh.

“I’m Daisy. We’re new in town. I work at Annie’s bar.”

“Oh, it’s a great spot. I love the two-for-one margaritas. I don’t know what it is about having someone else make one for you, but they always taste better. I’ve lived here all my life and own the bait shop. Let me know if you need anything. Does Vandal know you’re coming?”

I shake my head. “No. But Havoc said he’d go get him.”

Maren shields her eyes from the sun. “Then let’s go wait inside for him. It’s a hot one today.”