Page 23 of Maid For The Mafia Informant

I’ve never had direct dealings with his precinct, but I know cops, and the thought of one of them finding me in bed with their only daughter?

I don’t need to use my imagination to know how the man would feel if he found out.

I mean, when he finds out. I don’t plan on hiding being with Sophie in the same way I have to avoid certain crime families and their employees right now.

I want the whole world to know I love her, but her dad?

Maybe just not this morning, if I can help it. And I’m pretty sure Sophie feels the same way.

Not wanting to freak her out by standing staring out the window, I try to move past her, to give her some privacy on her call. But she clutches my hand as I walk by the couch, gripping me so hard I almost spin on my heel, I decide to stay; kneeling down beside her and feeling her relax some as she starts to play with my hair.

Talking to her dad, which is strange.

She’s holding the receiver in such a way that I can hear most of what her dad is saying, I make sure I don’t make any noises to alert him that I’m in his house. With his daughter.

“Yeah, I did take the car, daddy. It’s alright. I took it for a run and brought it here,” she tells him once he asks about the car, first up.

It sounds like his security company alerted him the car was moved, he didn’t want to call her late last night so he’s calling her now just to make sure it’s as he figured.

There’s the usual father-daughter stuff, I guess until I notice how much Sophie’s actually trembling.

She’s actually afraid of this man.

I feel like snatching the phone from her, letting him know that Ben Slade is in charge now, but her pleading eyes and fingers gripping mine keep me quiet.

Suddenly, her dad announces he has another call. Gotta go, love you blah, blah, blah.

Sophie hangs up, but I can see the impact the call’s had on her.

I can see she doesn’t want us to stay here a second longer.

“He’s there for two weeks, right?” I remind her, stroking her hair back.

She feigns a smile, nodding but hugs herself in an attempt to stop her shaking.

The phone rings again, seeming louder this time or maybe it’s because we’re right next to it. She picks it up, and at the same instant, I hear the screech of tires outside and the sound of heavy footfall just like on her stairs the night before.

I feel my own jolt of panic, straining to hear what Sophie’s dad is saying once he calls back.

Why has he called back?

The pounding on the door is unmistakable.

Cops.

I’m surprised it took them this long, but it also sounds like Sophie’s dad, Superintendent Matt Moore has just learned a few things too.

I know I have to go, but I’m not going anywhere without Sophie, and she hasn’t let go of my hand this whole time all either.

I cup her face with my free hand, mouthing the words it’s gonna be okay before she lets me go.

I know I have to hide at least. Trying to make a break for it now would be stupid, so I scout the hallway, spotting a bathroom, and lock myself inside, making sure I’m close enough to the front door to hear what’s going on.

Sophie doesn’t hang up, but sets the phone down just long enough to open the front door, obviously following her father’s instructions.

My own paranoia maybe, but it sounds like there’s only two or three plus Partridge after all.

One stays by the front door and the other stomps past the door I’m up against, assumingely going to cover the rear of the house as Partridge takes the phone and lets Sophie’s dad know he’s there before hanging up.

I can hear Partridge, but Sophie’s gone quiet.

“Your dad knows we’re here. I had to fill him in on the way just now. Y’know? Leaving your own apartment last night wasn’t the best move, Sophie,” he says, berating her, making my jaw tighten as I fight the urge not to rush out and clobber him one.

I’m glad they didn’t think to look for her here last night, but at the same time… If she really had been in danger, what the hell were they doing?

I hear my name mentioned, which forces me to focus, still straining to hear as they both move towards the kitchen.

“We would’ve got to you sooner, but… Well, I can’t go into all the details, but Ben Slade is missing. Presumed dead. His attackers are on the loose and there’s been total chaos overnight involving every crime family in the Tristate area. You’ll have to come with us I’m afraid, Sophie. For your own safety.”

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