Page 47 of Stealing Iris

Iris meets my gaze. “I need clothes for work.” Leaning forward, she stares at her toes, wiggling them. “I didn’t even grab shoes when I left, and I have to go in tomorrow.”

My frown is immediate.

“You can’t,” Kassy cuts in.

“But I need to open,” she insists. “It’s still my family’s store.”

I hadn’t thought much past getting her out of there. “Can anyone else open the store?” I understand her desire to keep her father’s legacy alive, but she needs to lie low until we can get this mess under control.

“Well, yes.” Her voice holds a world of uncertainty. “Carol helps me, but she and Oscar are the only employees right now.”

“Call and tell her you’re sick.” I run my palm along her side, trying to comfort her. “There’s a lot of work to do, and I need you safe.”

Biting her bottom lip, she makes her decision. “Okay.” Her resigned tone cuts deep. “But I’ll need to borrow a phone.” She holds her cell up, rocking her wrist from side to side. “No service.” She puts her thumb to the home button. “But it’s full of my parents’ pictures.” She flips through, a small smile on her face.

Despite everything I’ve managed to amass, I feel so small right now. Insignificant. She has no car, no electricity, no phone, and with her life falling apart, she can still find happiness in the memories at hand.

“Kassy can take care of your phone,” I whisper. “Just give her your number.” The monitor reflects in the tears gathering at her lashes. She leans back and looks away. Pride or shame? I’ve become so jaded I can’t tell. I’m used to people jumping at the chance for a freebie. And the one person I want to help is having an issue with taking what’s offered.

“You can keep a list of expenses if it’ll make you feel better,” I offer.

Kassy watches from the screen, but I ignore her reaction.

“Meanwhile, you can work on getting your employees back,” I continue. “I’ll front you the money to pay them and the vendors you owe. We’ll settle up once things are back to normal.”

“My tab might run a little high.” She looks up, pressing her lips together in a slight grimace.

It’s all I can do to contain myself. “It’ll be alright.”

Iris leans into me and rattles off the number.

“Here we go.” Kassy grins. “You have phone service now. And I found you a personal shopper,” she announces. “I’m sending you her contact number. Call or text her with your sizes. She can deliver a whole new wardrobe by midmorning.”

Hmm. Okay, maybe clothes could have waited. The thought of having her in nothing but a thin cotton T-shirt...

"Thank you.” She exhales, her body going limp, like she’s just put down the weight of the world.

“Why don’t you try to get some rest,” I suggest.

“Okay,” she whispers against my shoulder.

“I have a few things to discuss with the guys.” She shuffles out, closing the door behind her. After a handful of seconds, I turn back to the monitors.

“Caitlin’s on board,” Tino barks.

“Send a plane if you need to.”

“Already did,” he says with authority. “She’ll be here in the morning to crack the safe.”

“You got to her just in time.” Kassy blows out a breath. “It was them you heard. I tracked down two cell phones where he sent copies of the clip. They’re a couple of yards from each other, about a mile from the house.”

Tino grunts. “They ditched ’em.”

“Probably.” She exhales in a rush. “But with no damn cameras, I can’t be positive.”

“Conrado claimed to have a crew that would support his venture. His friend, Israel, has family with some background, but I can’t find anything to make me believe they’d work for him.”

“Something about this whole thing stinks,” Tino agrees. “I’ll ask around, see what I can find.”

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