“I’m going to take a break from school. It feels like I’m too old or worldly or whatever to be there. I’ll be helping Mike and writing every other moment.”
“If it means anything, in my mind, you’re a pioneer. We need to bathe your mind in that thought, Lynx.”
Lynx digested Dr. Jensen’s words. She wanted to devour them quickly, but she allowed herself time to savor each one.
Was she a pioneer?
She hoped so.
LYNX LEFTher weekly therapy appointment, and rather than going to get a cup of coffee or call Sammy, she decided to surprise Michael.
The hotel was close to opening and she knew he’d be there, alternating between Facetiming with Asher and pacing his office, talking with vendors.
Settled in her car, she pulled out of the Miami office building and headed back toward South Beach. Once she was over the bridge, she decided to park near the coffee shop and walk over to the new hotel. As she neared the Fritz on foot, she heard a familiar voice.
“Lincoln! How ya doing, babe?”
Looking up, she caught sight of Bruno leaning against a fancy red car parked at the curb. Stunned, she dropped her gaze to the sidewalk in front of her as she kept walking.
“Don’t ignore me, sugar,” he called out as he headed toward her. “I got a lot of calls asking me where the hell you are and when you’re coming back. I figure you owe me.”
Lynx kept moving, not sure what to do. People rollerbladed by the beach, seagulls flew overhead, but no one paid any attention to the biracial woman being hounded by Bruno. That’s the world we lived in ... selfish.
“I don’t owe you anything,” she spat out, keeping her gaze down.
“Oh, you don’t?” he said, his snide voice so much closer now.
She shook her head, her gaze darting around, looking for someone who might help.Where’s a cop when you need one?
“Talked to Zayid’s guy. He wants me to send over every dark girl I have in my stable. See what you caused? More girls to go, more chaos and hurt.”
Tears stung behind her eyes at his words. “You caused that. Not me, Bruno. Why don’t you close up shop? Then more girls won’t go. And you should leave here.”
She didn’t dare look at him for fear he’d sense her fear, prey on her weakness for saving others. Apparently, she and Mike weren’t so different after all.
“Why’s that?” Bruno asked from directly in front of her. “Pretty boy gonna come after me again? I let him take Chantilly ... who needed her, anyway? The washed-up snitch. But I’d sure like you back.”
Furious, she stopped just a foot away from Bruno and hooked a hand on her hip. The palm of her other hand made contact with his cheek, the sharp slap resonating off the buildings around them.
His eyes widened. “You bitch! Fucking whore.”
Bruno brought up his hand to swing back, his fingers balled into a tight fist. He’d hit a girl many times before—Lynx had seen it.
“Not so fast, tough guy,” a deep voice called out from nearby.
