Page 15 of New Beginnings
With a joyful laugh, she crossed her leg over the other and placed her hands in her lap, recalling the etiquette lessons our mother insisted we attend. The same classes I loathed.
“Because you have your head buried in that computer like always.”
I leaned back in my chair. I hadn’t expected to see her for another week when I had to get fitted for my Maid of Honor dress. She was getting married, again, much to my disappointment. With her wedding just six months away, she could hardly contain her excitement. I wasn’t excited, but it didn’t really matter since my opinion didn’t count.
“I didn’t expect to see you for at least another week.”
“Well, when somebody shows up at your door, crying about how their sister has done them wrong and screaming about some guy pulling a gun on them, I think that warrants a special trip to see my sister.”
I rolled my eyes, groaning.
“Johnny doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. We broke up weeks ago. He should move on.”
“And the guy with the gun?” she asked with her brow arched.
Now this line of questioning was a little dicey. I didn’t want to bring up Caesar. My sister was engaged to be married, but she still had genuine feelings for her ex-husband. But her anger and heartbreak kept her from admitting it. That was how I knew this marriage between her, and Oscar was a mistake which would lead to one of them getting hurt if not both of them when she accepted the truth.
“A friend recommended my services, and he just walked in when Johnny had his hands on me.”
“What friend?”
“No one important.”
Hopefully, she’d drop it, but if I knew my sister, she wouldn’t because deep down she was curious and eager to know every detail about José.
She narrowed her eyes. “José?”
I didn’t answer because she knew it was him without me having to. She didn’t understand why I stayed connected with him, but we were friends before they hooked up. I know he fucked her over, but I tried my best to keep my friendship with him separate from what happened in their relationship.
“I don’t know why you still talk to him after what he did to me.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Look, Rumi, your relationship with him has nothing to do with our friendship. I don’t talk about him around you and when I talk to him, I don’t talk about you.”
“What does he have you involved in? Is it dangerous?”
“I’m just looking for some information on an incident that happened, and no it’s not dangerous.”
The truth was that anything involving Demons United would be dangerous, but there was no need for her to know that. She’d worry more about me and be even more pissed with Caesar.
“I’m not convinced, Rebel because if Jose’s involved it means it has something to do with that club he’s in.”
Before I could respond, my cell rung. Without bothering to check the caller id, I grabbed the phone and raised my finger. She nodded then I answered.
“Hello, Rebel Pierce speaking.”
“Hey, Rebel. You got a minute?”
The man’s voice sounded like pure sin. The sound that came from his mouth was deep and raspy, sending shivers down my spine. And I couldn’t stop the smile from crossing my face.
As I glanced at my sister, I saw the unspoken questions on the tip of her tongue. As I rose from my seat, I dropped my smile. I put my hand over the receiver of the phone so J.D. couldn’t hear me talking.
“Give me a minute, sis. I have to take this.” I made my way to the door. “I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t have to take it, but I rather talk to J.D. than answer my sister’s questions.
“Who is it?” she asked, but I ignored her question and walked out my home office.
“Yeah, I got a minute. What’s up?”
