Page 32 of Babydoll

And then there’s Gage.

“We need to talk,” I say, and swallow hard.

Jeff’s walkie chirps and he stands, reaching into his pocket. “We will,” he says and slides my keys across the table. “After work.”

And then he’s gone. And the rest of my shift is plagued with worry.

When I finish work, it’s Bale at the punch clock, which sends my mind into a spiral of what ifs, but he leans down and tells me Jeff will meet me in a few minutes. I thank him, and head out, across the lot enjoying the milder night.

My car… Holy shit. It looks great! Even the scratch where I hit a grocery cart on the driver’s side eighteen months ago has been buffed out. “I can’t even believe it’s the same car,” I say aloud to myself as I walk around examining it and touching it to make sure it’s real and I’m not dreaming.

“It is, but the doors are from the scrap yard.”

I look up with a start to see Jeff standing there. Relief floods me, which is likely how I’m going to feel every time I see him now until I tell him he’s in danger, and probably after that as well because while Jeff is big, strong and capable, it’s still three against one.

“The same color?”

“As luck would have it.”

I snort. “I’ve never been lucky, so you must’ve used some of yours.” I chuckle because it’s true.

“It’s been a rough week, Lu.”

I nod. “It sure has.” And it’s about to get worse.

“Are you going to tell me about it?”

“About what?” I bite the inside of my cheek as he studies me. What does he know?

“I’d like to help.”

I look away, gritting my teeth. “I don’t need—” Catching myself, I stop the rest of my words. I don’t want his help, but I need it and he needs mine too.

He’s still assessing my face. “Let’s stop playing this game where you pretend to be okay and in control and I play dumb. We both know you’re in trouble with Satan’s Ransom.”

I’m taken aback, my mouth falling slack, but I recover quickly. “You need to know you’re in trouble now too.” I let loose a forceful sigh. “They want something from me and they’re going to use you to get it.”

“What do they want?”

“Information.”

“About what?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I look away. “I can do this on my own, but I need you to watch your back.”

“Did you sell for them?”

My eyes fly back to his. “Sell? As in drugs?”

“Yes, did you deal drugs, Lu?” He looks skyward a moment in obvious exasperation. “Don’t play the imbecile, it doesn’t suit you.”

“God, no.” My brow tightens. Is that what he thinks of me?

“I’m not judging, Lu. Sometimes we get ourselves into situations. Try something one time, it turns into another time and soon you’re pushing the shit.”

I shift my jaw in an attempt to calm myself. “I’ve never even smoked pot. Not. Once. But even if I did, it still wouldn’t make me a damn dealer.” I narrow my eyes on him. “A senior hits a tree with her car one day, do you automatically assume she’ssenile? A guy trips on his way to the beer store, is he a drunk? There’s a gap you’re jumping here and it sounds like a ‘you’ problem to me.”

He has the fucking audacity to smile and I have to hold myself back from lunging at him. I want to wipe that smile right off his sexy face… with force. A lot of force.

---