Shifters: A Samantha Reece Mystery Book 1 by Jaime Johnesee (libby ebook reader txt) 📕

I owned my lack of groove and grinned at him. My ego recovered slightly when I handed him the first waffle and pointed to the table where butter, maple syrup, strawberries, strawberry syrup, and some whipped cream sat waiting for the wafflefest to begin. The look on his face was priceless.

“I hope you enjoy them.”

“I haven’t had waffles since you last made them for me. Well, that’s not entirely true. I did try them at a little diner down in Mobile. It was supposed to have the best waffles in the state. Nothing compared to yours.”

“For a compliment like that I’ll give you two.” I pulled two more out of the waffle maker and poured more batter in.

Alex sat down but didn’t eat.

“Go ahead and get started. I’m going to keep going until this batter is gone. Then I’ll gorge myself on the deliciousness of waffles.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It’s pretty much a written rule that the griddler keeps going until the batter is gone then eats while others clean the plates.” I grinned and winked at him.

“Is that your way of telling me I have to clean dishes if I’m going to get waffles?”

“No, but it’s a good rule to have. Might have to adopt it.” I pulled another couple waffles off the maker and set them on a plate before loading more batter in.

I only had enough batter for three more.

“What are your rules?” Alex asked.

“I just told you my waffle rules.”

“I mean for dating.” He began buttering his waffles while we spoke.

“I don’t really have any.”

“None?”

“None that I can think of. Why, do you have any?” I looked at Alex.

“She must be living, real, self-sufficient, fun, smart, adventurous, and all around amazing. Oh, and she has to make the best waffles this side of the country.”

“That was pure cheese.”

“Yes, it was. One hundred percent grade A and freshly grated to boot. Yet, I mean every word of it.” I looked him in the eyes and smiled.

“I’m done.”

I pulled the last waffle from the maker and took the plate heaped with waffles to the table. I forked a waffle from the serving tray over onto my plate and began drizzling strawberry syrup over my creation. I took a forkful, blew on it, and stuffed it into my mouth. It was absolutely divine. That farmer made the best strawberry syrup I’d ever had.

We ate in silence, savoring our breakfast. When Alex was finished he put his napkin on the table and cleared his throat. I looked up at him.

“This was the best night of my life. Just holding you and waking up to this. I mean there is no topping that, but I’d like to try.”

“What?”

“Will you still go out on a real date with me on Saturday, Sam?”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that. Hey, we need to run if we want to be dressed and ready to meet Quinn to discuss the case.”

“I have a fresh suit and shirt in my car.”

“Of course you do.” I smiled, he was always big into being prepared. I’m guessing he had a boy scout background that he kept deep under wraps.

“You go grab a shower, I’ll get the suit and we can ride in together. I’ll get my car later.”

“You just want to ride in my car, don’t you?” I grinned.

“She’s a freaking sweet car.”

“Oh, believe me, I know.” I loved that car more than words could say.

“Okay, shall we get moving?”

“Yup.” I went to my room and Alex stepped out to his car.

The shot that rang out was deafening in the quiet morning air. I immediately went low and began scooting toward the door to see if Alex was okay. I crawled to the bathroom and grabbed a hand mirror that my friend Vix had thankfully convinced me I needed to buy.

I snuck back up to the door and put the mirror out on an angle. I could see that there were two guys in the neighbor’s front yard and that they both had guns. I looked along the cars for Alex, hoping like hell he hadn’t been shot. I saw him down the hedgerow and he was clutching his left arm, so I was fairly certain he’d been grazed, if not hit.

Staying where I was wouldn’t do anyone any good. Advancing left me a sitting duck, and the back way was just as covered as the front. I needed to create a diversion. I looked around my living room and my eyes latched onto my stereo. I needed to buy myself a few seconds and the stereo remote was within reach; maybe I could get their attention on that side of the house and away from me. I had to get to Alex and get us out of here. I was beginning to hate this house.

I scuttled to the stereo and turned the volume all the way up. The second I hit power on the remote I’d have to bolt out the door and to one side or the other. It was pretty much suicide, but better death by my own hand than someone else’s.

I crawled back up to the same spot near the door. They weren’t coming in. They were staying in my driveway waiting to hit anyone who came out. I watched as they changed position. When they were both nearest the wall with the stereo, I hit the power button and ran as their attention turned right to the noise. It happened to be AC/DC’s Big Gun which made me smile in its appropriateness as I fled for my life. I stopped behind a Pacific Yew and emptied my service pistol into first one killer then the other.

Chapter 24

ONCE I WAS CERTAIN there were no other accomplices waiting around to shoot me, I stuck my head up and took a quick look around. The two guys I’d shot were both motionless on the ground. I moved toward them with my gun drawn, round chambered