Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“After we got separated, I was heading out when I heard Kayla scream. I turned and saw a beam had hit her. The fire wasn’t surrounding her, so I ran to get her. It just got harder to get out.” She shook her head, obviously still overwhelmed. “I have to check on Kayla.”

Derek glanced over at the waiting ambulance. “She’s with the paramedics. She’s awake and talking, so you can relax here for a few minutes first.” He stroked her hair as she breathed in and out, pulling herself together.

“My bar!”

They turned at the sound.

George was pacing right beside them, clearly distraught.

Gabrielle eased herself to her feet, her legs trembling as she stood. Derek kept his arm around her shoulder as she walked up to the older man.

“George? It’ll be okay.” She offered lame words of support. There was nothing else she could do for him.

He turned to her, looking older than he had just half an hour before as his beloved bar burned behind him.

“You mean, my family bar.” Elizabeth Perkins appeared, as if out of the blue. She had a dazed look in her eyes and a red gasoline can in her hands.

Gabrielle blinked, certain she was imagining the image, but the woman and the red can in her hands remained.

George narrowed his gaze. “What are you talking about?” he asked, staring at the mayor’s granddaughter in disbelief.

“You mean, Seth never told you he couldn’t get the financing to turn your old bar into a nightclub??

?? Elizabeth asked.

George shook his head.

“He told me. In bed. I knew Seth would come in handy one day. He knows everyone and everything that’s going on. I didn’t think his pillow talk would be so helpful, but it was. Of course, I suggested to my grandmother that we lend him the money. Owning this bar was an important step in cementing power in this town.”

Elizabeth’s tone indicated her plan had been long-standing and well-thought-out even if the blank expression in her eyes showed everyone that something inside her had snapped.

“My son wouldn’t touch your family’s dirty money,” George spat.

“Why not? He touched me.” Elizabeth laughed. She’d obviously intended her words to be sultry, but the sound came out high-pitched and deranged.

Gabrielle winced while George glanced around, desperately looking for his son. Gabrielle caught sight of Seth beneath a tree, staring at the burning building with utter shock and pain on his face.

Gabrielle had no doubt Elizabeth was telling the truth.

George turned back to face her. “Let’s say he did borrow money from you. That would explain all the times he defended your grandmother and let her hold her holiday party at the Wave. That doesn’t make it your bar.”

A satisfied expression eased her lips upward in a nasty smile. Gone were all vestiges of amiability covering her true personality. Gone was any trace of sanity. “It does if the payments haven’t been made. And they haven’t.”

“He wouldn’t let me see the books.” Tears filled George’s eyes.

Gabrielle couldn’t watch his pain. She strode closer to George, intending to walk him away.

Derek, meanwhile, walked up to Elizabeth. “What is that in your hands?” he asked, although with the woman reeking of gasoline and waving the can around as she spoke, the answer was obvious.

“It’s her new perfume. Eau de Gasoline,” Hank said in disgust.

Elizabeth shook her head. “Do you people think you can stop me?” She gestured wildly, poking herself in the chest. “My family founded this town. My grandmother owns you all. I’m her successor. My name gives me power. Just look at all the generations of Mary Perkins there have been, and the things that they have done. I dare you to defy me.”

“That’s enough!” The mayor stepped through the crowd and approached her granddaughter. “Not another word,” she said to the young woman, obviously looking to protect her from her own insanity.

But it was equally obvious it was too late.

The police edged closer. “Elizabeth Perkins?”