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    Out of the Cold
    Out of the Cold
    Out of the Cold
    Ebook85 pages1 hour

    Out of the Cold

    By H Stinington

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    About this ebook

    Emerson is just like any other town with its quiet streets and close knit community, but it's seedy underbelly rises when night falls and wreaks unimaginable havoc.  Melinda knows only too well how dark the heart of the town truly is, as she moves easily between the two worlds. When she makes the acquaintance of Jackson Becker, a man very much like herself who is haunted by his own personal demons, a connection forms between them and it is nothing like either of them have ever experienced before.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherH Stinington
    Release dateJul 14, 2018
    ISBN9781536543247
    Out of the Cold

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      Book preview

      Out of the Cold - H Stinington

      OUT OF THE COLD

      CHAPTER ONE

      The bright sunshine broke through the gloom inside Melinda Rowe's bedroom, and was even enough to wake her from her deep sleep. The eye mask she wore to help her sleep was pitch black silk, but was no match for the spring sun.

      She sat up slowly, and groaned slightly, her back ached from the strange way she had slept the night previous it seemed.

      She pushed her sandy blond bangs out of her eyes and glanced over at her clock on the bedside table. Just past eight o'clock. Today was her short day, she only worked from ten to five in Mary’s, and then her second job from six to two tonight. Her birthday was only four days away, and she didn’t know how she felt about turning twenty one. She wished her parents could be there, to give her a hug and tell her they were proud of her. If they knew what her second job was however, perhaps they wouldn’t have been.

      Melinda was an orphan and from an early age had learned to be independent and fend for herself.

      Her family, including her parents and baby brother had died nearly eight years previous in a car crash. Hit straight on by a drunk driver. At least, that's what the newspapers had said. Hit and Run to be exact. Her father had been well respected, and her mother had been the guiding light at the Emerson public Elementary school.

      Though Melinda always tried to remain positive, she couldn't help wondering now and again if her family's death hadn't been a complete accident.

      The most powerful family in Emerson, the Goodwins, was well known for using their power for more than just a few philanthropic ventures. But she couldn't ever know for certain.

      That's what she thought at least.

      FOR A FEW MOMENTS, silence reigned in the room, then Melinda heard the front door slam, and her roommate and friend Sharon could be heard, humming and shuffling across the kitchen floor. Melinda smiled and leapt out of bed, the smell of what Sharon had brought in the house filling her nostrils.

      Freshly baked and glazed donuts.

      Good morning Sweetie. Melinda called, and Sharon turned to grin mischievously at her friend,

      No need to suck up, I remembered your bear claw and jelly filled.

      Melinda raised her eyebrows dramatically,

      Lemon jelly filled?

      Sharon nodded, and thrust the paper bag towards her,

      Feel free to look if you don't believe me.

      Melinda shook her head,

      It's alright. I trust you. She tossed a wink in Sharon's direction and then turned away, flipping on the coffee machine and arranging their mugs in front of it.

      So, hazelnut or vanilla?

      Sharon pretended to think on it, her pretty face serious for a fraction of a minute,

      Hmm, I don't know. What goes better with a blueberry cake donut? Her green eyes sparkled and she reached back to pull her dirty-blond hair into a ponytail.

      Melinda held out the coffee mug, now full to the brim with the steaming caffeinated liquid,

      Let's go with vanilla to be safe. It goes with everything.

      Sharon couldn't stand it any longer. She burst out laughing and in between giggles replied,

      Why on earth did you decide to buy flavored coffee? It's silly. You add flavor with sugar and creamer.

      Melinda rolled her eyes, impatience with her uncreative roommate rising,

      I wanted to try them. So if you don't want it, don't drink it.

      Sharon looked taken aback,

      Whoa tiger. What's wrong? You are usually happy right after you wake up.

      Melinda sighed and collapsed into a chair,

      I guess I'm just on edge. I get the feeling Joseph is probably planning something for my birthday, and you know I hate surprises.

      Sharon stepped over and hugged her shoulders, bending close to meet her gaze,

      Don't worry. If I catch wind of anything, I'll make sure to insist he cancel them. I'll suggest letting you work the floor with me instead of the usual.

      Melinda smiled weakly,

      Okay. Sounds good.

      Now, let's get you cheered up, and dig in, these little buggers have lived long enough.

      Sharon glanced over at the bag of donuts and waggled her eyebrows.

      I won't argue with that.

      CHAPTER TWO

      Mary’s sat on the outskirts of Emerson, the lighter side of town. The police station was also on the border of the dark city. Inside the city, around alleyways, and down concrete roads where the lights flickered, you could find anything.

      Outside, where law and order still reigned, everyone felt safe. There was an unspoken law that though the Goodwins were only just a family, nothing special, they had control of the inner city. Their reach went very far. Rumors were whispered, not very loud mind you, but still spoken, that they had mob connections, or even that they had aspirations to become a mob of Vegas. That was how the residents affectionately referred to it. In the inner city, prostitution, gangs, and clubs were the norm. Scandalizing for some

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