Breaking the Bank (Luck's Voice Book 3) Read online

  Luck’s Voice

  Book 3:

  Breaking

  the

  Bank

  Daniel Schinhofen

  Copyright © 2021 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews – without the written permission from the publisher.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Copyright © 2021 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  All rights reserved.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter Forty-four

  Chapter Forty-five

  Chapter One

  Dead men— men he’d killed— stalked Doc down the empty streets. Above the town, seething Darkness pulsed, its tendrils connected to each of the dead. As he ran, he saw bodies in the streets— they were random townsfolk for the most part, but as he got closer to the Lily, he realized that the bodies were people he knew.

  Greta and Otto were the first ones he recognized. They lay hand-in-hand, the bloody wounds in their backs speaking of being gunned down from behind. Just past them, more dwarves lay dead, including the two elders, Blackbeard, and Rangvald. As he passed the milliner’s, he glanced inside to see Sigmund impaled on a spike, though the gnome was giggling about having become a hat.

  Staggering up to the Lily, both Spot and Fido were sprawled out dead, riddled with bullet holes with their guns clutched in death grips. He swallowed as he pushed inside, coming to a stop when the carnage inside hit him.

  Cassia was across the bar, her gut distended with her throat slit wide open. The other ladies of the Lily were all laid out on poker tables. Poker chips covered their eyes, and all of them had been killed similarly to Cassia. Heather was tied to her piano— her hands were hacked off and laid on the keys. Fiala and Sonya were on the stairs, tangled in each other’s arms. At their feet, both Ayla and Sophia were sprawled out, their heads severed from their necks and resting on their chests.

  Horror and fear rising, Doc staggered into the back hall and rushed into the kitchen. His fear was founded a moment later— Daf was spitted and being cooked in the fireplace. That isn’t what made him flee the kitchen. Posy’s ears, with her hat just visible above the rim of the steaming stew pot, made him run from the room.

  He burst into Lia’s bedroom, hoping to find her so she might help him with this madness. He found her, but she wouldn’t be helping him, not being dead as she was. Hands shaking, he saw her pinned to the wall, arrows piercing her from head to toe. He stumbled backward into the hall, slamming into the wall and sliding down to the floor.

  A spinning coin just inside Lia’s room caught his attention and, as he looked at it, the world around him shuddered, then vanished.

  ~*~*~

  “What do we do?” Lotus whispered. “We gave him the potions, but he isn’t waking.”

  “The bleeding stopped and his heartbeat is strong,” Jasmine replied. “We wait and pray.”

  “I’m alive,” Doc croaked.

  “Doc!” Lotus hiccupped, touching him with shaky hands.

  “Spot?” Doc asked.

  “He’s alive,” Jasmine sniffled. “You worried us more than he did. What happened to you?”

  “I gave too much,” Doc croaked out. “Water?”

  “Here,” Lotus whispered as she touched the edge of a glass to his lips. “Sip slowly.”

  Doc did as she said. He peeled his eyes open, as they’d been nearly stuck together. After a few sips, he spoke again, “What happened after I passed out?”

  “Cassia took charge,” Jasmine told him as she wiped at her eyes. “Spot and Fido are in a room just down the hall from you.”

  “Posy!” Lotus said suddenly and rushed away from him.

  The image of Posy in the stew pot hammered Doc for a moment and he shook at the memory of the nightmare.

  “Doc, you were having nightmares,” Jasmine said softly. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes...” he whispered. “All my fears were given form.” He shuddered as the images came back to him again. “Everyone was dead... the Darkness was raising them and having them hunt me.”

  Jasmine leaned in, covering his hand with hers. “It’s over now.”

  Doc gave her a lopsided smile. “I know, but in the nightmare, it was all real.”

  “I understand... I still have them, too. It’s why I don’t deal anymore. I just see Kiddum’s gun pointed at me, and then a flash of light.”

  Doc covered her hand on his. “I’m here to help if I can.”

  Jasmine gave him a soft smile. “As we are for you. You know Fiala would have been very upset with us if you’d killed yourself.”

  Doc winced, remembering how hard he pushed to save Spot. “I had to save him.”

  “Not at the cost of yourself,” Jasmine said. “If you die, then who will save others? Even Spot wouldn’t have wanted that.”

  “Doc!” Posy’s voice cut through the air and she was suddenly beside the bed. Her wide eyes were red and tears streamed down her face as she grabbed his hand on top of Jasmine’s.

  Her worry cut Doc, and his heart wrenched for her. “Sorry, Posy. I really don’t mean to make you cry.”

  Sniffling, Posy pushed her head into his side. “I was so worried when I came back and you were bleeding onto Lotus’ lap.”

  “She helped feed you the potions,” Lotus said from the doorway. Her eyes were puffy from crying, as well. “Posy was very helpful.”

  Doc took his hand out from under Jasmine’s and began stroking Posy’s head. “Thank you, Posy.”

  Sniffling, Posy looked up at him. “You need to rest. Momma will make your breakfast in the morning.”

  Doc took stock of the room— a single lantern illuminated his bedroom. It was dark outside, with only a partial moon to illuminate the darkness. “Okay. I’ll get some sleep, Posy. You need to, as well.”

  Wiping her face, she stared at him. “No dying.”

  “I’ll do my very best to not die,” he told her seriously. Leaning forward, he kissed the top of her head. “Go on. I’ll need my water in the morning, after all.”

  Nodding, Posy
gave him a trembling smile before leaving the room.

  Jasmine and Lotus watched her go, then shared a glance. Lotus nodded and stepped out of the room, closing the door. Doc watched her go before looking at Jasmine. She stood up and stripped off her clothing.

  “Uh, Jasmine...” Doc whispered. “I don’t think—”

  Jasmine snorted. “I’m just getting ready for bed, not for sex. Now, if you feel better in the morning, please do, but not right now.”

  Doc chuckled and shifted over so she could get into bed. “I’ll keep that in mind…” He trailed off, remembering what she and Lotus had offered before he’d rushed off to help Spot. “And tomorrow night, I’d like to take you and Lotus up on that offer.”

  Jasmine smiled softly as she climbed into bed, her naked skin touching his. “Good. We’d both been looking forward to it. But we understand that you help others, even if it’s a detriment to yourself.”

  Doc put his arm over her waist and drew her closer. “I do what my goddess would have of me. Maybe together, there won’t be any nightmares.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Good night, my sexy dancer.”

  Jasmine blushed. Her lips quirked up at the corners as she leaned back to break the kiss before it could become more. “You really think so?”

  “You’re a beautiful sight. When you dance, it’s as if the world revolves around you. Your grace, flexibility, and sheer love of moving with the music are transfixing.”

  “When you play, it makes me want to dance all the more,” Jasmine whispered. “Doc, I can’t go with you.” The sudden topic shift jarred Doc, but she kept talking, “I know I can’t stand beside you or the others. I’ll do my best to help you while you’re here, though.”

  Doc felt a small pang of sadness, but he could never argue with her about how she felt. “Okay. I know that not everyone will go with me, but the fact that people I care for will still be here to look after things actually helps.”

  Swallowing, Jasmine stared into his eyes. “You mean that?”

  “Won’t lie to you,” Doc whispered.

  Jasmine leaned forward and kissed him softly, and Doc pulled her a little closer. Jasmine let out a soft moan, then pulled her head back. “Doc, no.”

  Doc exhaled and eased back a fraction. “I know, but it’s difficult with you in bed with me.”

  Jasmine rolled over and leaned back into him. “Sleep.”

  Doc exhaled a shaky breath. “That doesn’t help, but okay.”

  Truthfully, he felt exhausted, as he hadn’t really slept when he was unconscious. He still tightened his arm over her and snuggled firmly against her back. Breathing in her scent, he closed his eyes and wondered if his wives and friends were okay outside of the town.

  Lady, thank you for saving me. Maybe it wasn’t you, but I’ll thank you, regardless. Please keep an eye on my friends and wives... and thank you once more for this chance. I know it’s going to get worse, much worse, but I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other. With his prayer done, Doc fell into a deep slumber, warmth spreading through his chest.

  Chapter Two

  A knock on the door snapped Doc out of his sleep. Heart pounding fast, he knew he’d been having another nightmare, but he didn’t remember it. Jasmine murmured, then slipped from the bed and went to the door. Her naked body helped focus Doc’s mind and he exhaled a shuddering breath. Jasmine paused at the door, looking back over her shoulder to give him a grin.

  Opening the door, she smiled at Posy and took the offered water. “Thank you, Posy. I’ll have him dressed and downstairs for breakfast shortly.”

  Posy nodded, looked past her at Doc, and smiled. “Good morning, Doc.”

  “Morning, Posy,” Doc said. “Please have some coffee with breakfast? I need that wake-up juice.”

  “I will,” Posy said before leaving.

  Jasmine shut the door. “Now it’s time to get clean.”

  Doc watched her from the bed as she wiped herself down first. “I need to stop in to see Spot, first.”

  “Then you need to get out of bed and clean up,” Jasmine said, holding out the washcloth.

  “Yeah...” Doc sighed and sat up. He groaned as all of his muscles protested for a second. Reaching up, he stretched and felt his body strain, though when he finished, he felt better.

  “I should go,” Jasmine said, licking her lips, her forked tongue lingering on them for a moment.

  “If you stay, we’ll both be delayed getting out of the room,” Doc said as his eyes traced over her naked form.

  “Posy already told Daf you’ll be down, and I’m not facing her wrath,” Jasmine said. Her eyes stayed on Doc’s rising manhood. “I’ll get that later, right?”

  “In any way you want it.”

  “Oh, I like the sound of that,” Jasmine said, moving to the side and kissing his cheek when she went past. She whispered in his ear, “I have so many things I want you to do with me. Keep me in mind today?” With that, she picked up her clothes and left the room, still gloriously naked.

  Doc swallowed and exhaled a shaky breath. “Glad she left when she did... I would’ve been late to breakfast. Well, later to breakfast.” Shaking his head, he rinsed off.

  A few minutes later, he knocked on the door that had two bowls sitting outside of it. “Spot? Fido?”

  The door cracked open and a single eye looked at him. It opened completely, revealing Fido. “Doc. You want to check him?”

  “Yes, if that’s okay.”

  Fido stepped aside to let him into the room. When Doc entered, Fido shut it behind him and stayed standing by the door.

  Spot looked up to see Doc and tried to smile, but he winced, instead. “Doc... I can’t thank you enough.”

  “What hurts?” Doc asked, taking the seat beside the bed that Fido had obviously been using earlier.

  “Chest and shoulder,” Spot hissed as he tried to ignore the pain.

  “Okay, let’s help,” Doc said. “Lady, Spot still needs you.”

  Spot looked at the glowing hands, then exhaled softly as the pain in his rib faded first. Spot looked at his brother, who was worried for him.

  “All done,” Doc exhaled, wiping at his head. “Glad I checked. You had an infection starting in your shoulder.”

  “He’s okay now?” Fido asked.

  “Perfectly healthy. Probably better than me,” Doc chuckled.

  “Doc… why? You nearly killed yourself,” Spot said softly.

  “Why?” Doc asked, puzzled. “Because you needed the help. You’d have died if I hadn’t helped you. True, I should’ve stopped before I did, but the bone fragments from your rib might have nicked your lungs or heart if I didn’t push.”

  “I’m…” Spot stopped trying to say something he hated.

  “A good man?” Doc suggested. “Yeah, you are. You and your brother.”

  Spot just looked at Doc, then sighed. “You think so. Thank you. Fido, we need to go before Grange comes for us.”

  “Yeah,” Fido said, going to gather their things.

  “You’re going back to Grange?” Doc asked, surprised. “He never came to check on you.”

  Spot sat up, picking his shirt up from beside the bed. “People think we’re stupid because of our heritage.” Pulling his shirt on, Spot snorted. “And because of the demeaning names that Grange gave us. But we’re not. What will people say if we don’t go back?”

  Doc paused as he considered what Spot was saying. “Oh…”

  “That you bewitched us, poisoned our souls, and controlled our minds,” Spot continued on. “We need to go back and prove that we’re the same as we were before you saved me. Besides… we can help you better that way.”

  “We need to repay the debt,” Fido said. “You saved him and we’re grateful. We’ll do our best to warn you of what is coming.”

  Doc took a deep breath. “Don’t, not if it will put you in danger.”

  “Danger? Like almost getting killed to save another?” Spot barked a laugh.

  “Touché
,” Doc chuckled. “The offer will remain open. Can you tell me what happened that you ended up shot and on the floor?

  Fido spoke up as Spot got dressed, “We ran into the men who’d been harassing Otto. One of them got into my face and was denigrating me. Spot shoved him away and, when he did, the other one shot him. I gunned him down and turned for the other guy, but he’d fled. Spot was bleeding out, so I brought him here. I knew you’d help him, while Whitaker wouldn’t do anything, especially since those men have been seen with him before.”

  Doc inhaled slowly. “Whittaker?”

  “Can’t prove it,” Spot said as he stamped his boots on, “but the fact that Grange never came to check on us or to find out about the dead body makes me worry.”