Page 52 of The Woman in the Garage

“Watching birds.”

“You were in the park… watching birds?” Dante asked, dubious.

“Been in a cement cell for years, man. You miss birds.”

“Sure, sure,” Milo said, but his brows were raised.

“You want to come over for some food?” Luca asked.

“Or we can hit a bar and chat up some girls,” Milo suggested.

“That’s the winner,” Dom said, giving Luca a nod before following Milo away.

When it was just the two of us, Luca sighed and ran a hand down his face. “So, Famiglia.”

“Yep,” I agreed, rocking back on my heels.

“When my father fills me in, is there gonna be a pretty woman involved?”

“Yep.”

“And this pretty woman, would she happen to be Phil’s niece?” To that, I offered him a shrug. “Thought so. That little talk we had…”

“Went in one ear and out the other,” I finished for him.

“Thought it would. Well, let me know where I can send the engagement gift.”

“It’s not like that.”

To that, Luca let out a laugh.

“Oh, Santo. Yeah, it is.”

With that, he walked off to his car, leaving me alone in the lot. Save for the security crew that was still lingering around, doing their jobs.

As I walked back to my car, I reached into my pocket for my phone, ready to text Dasha and ask if she wanted some company.

Only to remember that I’d forgotten—again—to get her damn number.

And I didn’t want to start giving her stalker vibes by showing up at her place or the garage again.

It looked like I was going to need to wait until the next payment date to see her.

“Fuuuuck,” I sighed, sliding into my seat and slamming my head back on the rest.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Dasha

A sharp gasp escaped me at a tool cracking to the ground as I walked into the garage, making a beeline toward my office. My coffee cup jostled, sloshing hot liquid down my hand and onto my dress.

Well, I guess I could be thankful I wasn’t wearing a light color for a change, I decided as I kicked my office door closed and went right for the tissues on my desk, drying my hand, cup, and my black and purple floral dress as well as I could.

I was jumpy.

Because I was over-caffeinated.

Because I wasn’t sleeping.

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