Page 91 of The Woman with the Wallet

“I was careless,” Lil said, shrugging. I understood why she was being so hard on herself. I had impossible standards for myself too. It was hard not to when you were a woman working alone in a potentially very dangerous field. You only had yourself to rely on. You couldn’t afford not to be on guard at all times.

“Anyway, he must have sensed I was getting suspicious. By the time I managed to get to my gun, he was on me. Then, well,” she went on, waving at her face. “I had no idea where my phone went in the mess until you started calling. Over and over,” she added, attempting a small smile. “I really have your impatience to thank for being alive right now.”

“Always happy to put it to good use now and again,” I said.

“What about before you were suspicious? Did he have anything to say? Where he was staying, his name, anything?” Miko asked.

“He didn’t. He was being careful. He gave me the same spiel he gave the jewelry store. His grandmother died, they went through her jewelry where they found all these loose diamonds. As if that is even halfway believable. I mean, even if someone did have that many diamonds just lying around, it wouldn’t be in a fucking jewelry box.

“The guy was clearly careful, but stupid. Definitely not any kind of pro. Anyone who knew anything about diamonds wouldn’t make up such an idiotic story.”

“What about your security system?” Miko asked as Lil started to absentmindedly rub her hand over the brace on her knee. She needed medicine. We had to finish this up.

“I will get that for you when we get back to my place,” she said.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t at least strongly suggest you don’t go home,” Miko said, though everything about his tone said he knew his words were falling on ears that didn’t want to listen.

“I’m going home. Believe it or not, it’s actually safe there. If I hadn’t opened the door for the fuck, he wasn’t going to get in. There’s a reason my windows are barred and the door has reinforced bars and so many locks. If I’m in there, and it’s not on fire, I’m safe.”

“That may be true, but I’m gonna have to insist I have someone watch your place,” Miko said.

“Hmm,” Lil said, looking at Miko for a second before turning her attention to me. “I get it.”

“Get what?” I asked.

“Why you’re into him. That protective thing is surprisingly hot.”

“Well, just wait until you hear his plan to hire a nurse to take care of you while you heal then,” I said.

“I’m fine. I can take care of myself.”

“Christ, are you all like this?” Miko asked, shaking his head at us.

“Like what? Strong? Independent?” I asked.

“Stubborn is the word that comes to mind.”

“Well, he’s got us there,” Lil agreed. “But, really, I’m fine.”

“You say that,” Miko agreed. “Until you try to get off that chair. Go ahead,” he invited, knowing she was going to rise to the challenge in his tone.

But she was quick to learn that none of her strength, independence, or stubbornness could save her from the pain ravaging her body right then.

“Fuck fuck fuck, goddamnit,” she hissed, fingers clutching the side of the chair when she finally got her legs off of it.

“Sal,” Miko called, moving toward the door. “I think she’ll take those pain meds now.”

“So, a nurse?” I prompted a few minutes later when Lil’s face wasn’t twisted up in complete agony any longer.

“Fine. I mean, I don’t need anurse. Just someone to fetch me shit would be enough. And only for a couple hours a day. I like being alone.”

“Conveniently, I also know someone who likes being alone,” Miko agreed, reaching for his phone.

“Not Venezio,” I said, thinking of poor, defenseless Chuck.

“Nah. Gavino. He’s got nothing else going on. He will hate this as much as you do,” he said to Lil. “So, I think it’s the perfect match.”

With a plan in place, we waited for the meds to kick in before we moved Lil back into Salvatore’s car. All three of us helped her back inside her building.

---