Phantom Quartz: A Stacy Justice Witch Mystery Book 6 (Stacy Justice Magical Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her I’m in labor, half of Sicily will show up in my delivery room and I don’t think I could handle that right now. In fact, I may just go completely ballistic and you’ll see my fat ass on the news in some sort of reverse hostage situation.” She looked at me, her eyes resilient. There was no room for negotiations, and I really didn’t want her thinking through that hostage plan too carefully.
    “I can’t have that. Not now, not today,” she said, softer.
    I vaguely recalled there was something important about this date, but I didn’t know what. Uncle Deck’s birthday? Unless she meant the shower and the swarm of people. And of course the nightmares. I was about to ask her what exactly she did mean, but she let out another small cry.
    There was a water bottle on the desk and Cinnamon reached for it just before she doubled over in pain. She bit into the bottle and clamped a hand on my arm at the same time. Then it was my turn to yelp as my knees buckled under the force of her grip.
    The water broke. The bottled water, not the baby’s. Cinnamon stood and grunted.
    I was writhing in pain on the floor certain she had broken my wrist. There was a bruise forming, and since I had grown quite accustomed to all of my limbs, I decided to indulge my cousin’s wishes before she sprained another one of my appendages.
    I said, “Okay, let’s get you to the car.” I scrambled to my feet. Then I remembered I had parked my car up the street. I took a few seconds to decide if Cin could handle the walk.
    She cradled her stomach as if another pain was about to shoot through her and I realized she was trying not to make any noise. I fumbled through the supply cabinet and stuffed a clean towel into her mouth. I smiled, pleased that I was able to at least help with stifling her. She shot me a few eye daggers.
    “Geez, there is just no pleasing you, woman.”
    “Stacy....” she warned.
    I tossed my arms in the air, which hurt a little, then reached into my pocket for my cell phone and sent Chance a 911 text explaining the situation. He texted me right back.
    I looked at Cin. “Okay, Chance is driving my car down and he’ll meet us in the back in a minute.” I chewed my lower lip. “I don’t know how we’re going to get you out of here without tipping off the Italian flash mob.”
    We looked at each other for a beat. Then we both turned toward Thor.
    The dog stood at attention, cocked his head to the left and pointed his right ear toward my cousin and me, as if to say, “Thor Justice, reporting for duty.”
    I approached his massive black-and-tan head and said in a low voice, “Remember how we practiced creating a diversion, Big Man?”
    He woofed.
    “I need you to do that right now.”
    Thor wagged his tail, happy to have a mission, and I tossed a coat over Cinnamon’s head. I reached for the packed emergency bag under her desk and slung over my shoulder.
    “Okay, Thor. Try not to cause too much damage, and don’t hurt anyone.” I looked behind me at Cinnamon to make sure she was on board with this plan. “Ready, Cin?” She gave me two thumbs up.
    Thor stood in front of the door, poised to spring. “You’re on, Boy.”
    I opened the door a crack and peered out into the bar area. Cinnamon’s new young bartender, Daphne, was setting up glasses of punch, her long black hair gleaming beneath the lights. I could see Mario’s bald head backed up against the rail, Carmella close by his side, each sipping cocktails. A few other people milled about the front of the bar. I just hoped no one had stepped out the back exit. I said a little prayer and pulled the door open wider.
    Thor galloped out of the office like a faithful steed, his paws pounding the wood floor so heavily that it created a thunderous ripple through the room. People scrambled to get out of his path. There were screams of shock and cries of disbelief as one after another of Cinnamon’s relatives shoved each other out of the way of what they must have