Page 55 of I Am Sin

“Ignore it,” he says again.

“I can’t.”

Again, the same number that I don’t recognize.

But why would whoever it is keep calling me back? And at this hour, as well?

My curiosity gets the better of me.

I place a finger on Antonio’s lips. “Let me just tell them to knock it off. Then I swear I’m yours for the evening.” I accept the call and bring the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Hi, Diana.”

Dragon’s voice.

“What is it? I don’t recognize this number.”

“That’s because…I’m in jail.”

I stand up, drop my jaw and my phone at the same time, and the phone clatters onto the coffee table.

Antonio rises as well. “Are you okay?”

I stand, paralyzed and numb.

This isn’t happening. I’ve had two glasses of wine. I can’t…

“Diana…” Antonio again.

He picks up my phone and hands it to me.

I put it back to my ear.

“Diana? Are you there? Damn it!”

“I’m here,” I say, my lips trembling. “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into, Dragon?”

“I didn’t do anything. You have to believe me.”

“What have you been arrested for?”

“Soliciting.”

“Soliciting what?” I ask, but I know the answer already. Soliciting a prostitute. What the hell was he thinking?

“I didn’t do it. A woman asked if I wanted to have some fun, I told her no, she badgered me, told me she had to go back with something, so I decided to be a good Samaritan and hand her some money. And of course, two cops saw the transaction and thought I was giving her money for sex.”

“Can’t the hooker corroborate your story?”

“She ran off,” he says. “I didn’t know who else to call. Jesse’s on his honeymoon, and my therapist… Well, let’s just say I’ve bothered him enough tonight.”

“Isn’t he paid to be bothered by you?”

“You know what? Forget I called.”

“Wait wait wait! God, Dragon, don’t hang up. Where are you?”

“The police station,” he says. “In a holding cell.”

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