Page 120 of Cryptic Curse
Another pause.“Hawk?What’s going on?”
“Nothing.I mean…”
“Can I talk to Hawk?”
“Uh…yeah.Sure.”I hand him my phone.“She wants to talk to you.”
“Hey, sis,” he says into the phone.
Pause.
“She called me.”
Pause.
“Yeah, she’s fine.Just a little overwhelmed.She’s going to spend the night at my place.”
Pause.
“So what if we are?”
Pause.
“Why would I do that?I happen to like her.”
Pause.
“I’m well aware of how old she is and how old I am.Listen, Ray?—”
Pause.
“Of course.”He hands the phone back to me.“She wants to talk to you.”
“Hi, Raven.”
“What’s going on, Daniela?”
“Like your brother told you.I’m going to his place.”
“Are you and he…?”
I look over at Hawk, lower my voice.“I…don’t know yet.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?I mean, Hawk is a great guy.He’s my brother.I should know.But you…”
“I know, Raven.I’ll be careful.I just… I feel safe with him.”
“You’re safe with us.”
“I know that.But this is…different.Will you kiss Belinda goodnight for me?”
“Of course.Just be careful, Dani.Vinnie and I, and Belinda, we all love you so much.”
“I love you guys too.Trust me.I do.And I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me.”
“Goodness, Dani, you’re not going off to war.We know you appreciate everything.”
“Look on the bright side,” I say.“Your fiancé is no longer married.”
