Page 29 of Seduction in Blood
"That's good, because with your skills it could take years."
"Funny." But I couldn't help grinning at hearing her sass return.
"I suppose someone wants you to steal something?"
"Something like that. Listen. I'm not sure how much I can tell you, and I really don't want you to get mixed up in this. I should be done in a few days and home next week at the latest."
When silence greeted me again, I knew something was off. She should be scolding me for not checking in. This silent treatment was something else, and the hairs on the back of my neck went up. "Is Sorrento bothering you?"
I heard a door close before she responded. "I thought you split because of your stepfather."
A chill went through me. "What?"
"He came looking for you."
Now I didn't know what to say. "Did he hurt you?"
Her laugh was shaky. "I told him to fuck off and slammed the door in his face. But there's a black SUV that drives by a couple times a day and sometimes parks down the street. What did you do, Cressa?"
I ran a hand through my hair then cringed, hoping I hadn't messed up Anna's work or I'd have to sit through another painful brushing.
"I haven't seen him for at least six months. The last time I checked in with April, he was out of the country."
"Well, he must think you did something because he wants you in the worst way. Someone calls your phone about three times a day. It's not a number I recognize, but I'd bet it's him."
"Are his goons threatening you?"
"Nah. They're just annoying. I was thinking of setting Bulldog on them."
Bulldog was what we liked to call our neighborhood watch. He got the name for his nose, which had been broken so many times it was a wonder he could breathe through it. He was six-seven and well over two hundred pounds of rock-hard muscle and bad attitude. He ran a small gang that kept our street safe and never bothered us.
"He must know about the SUV."
"Oh, yeah. He's doubled the crew on the corners. They've tried talking to the driver, but the SUV drives off whenever one of Bulldog's crew steps up."
"Shit. I'm sorry, Ginger."
"Not your fault." Her tone was just as pointed as mine had been earlier. "Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, I think it's good timing. I'd stay away until this blows over."
"You should delete this number. I wouldn't put it past them to steal your phone."
"I've already added you to my contacts under the name of Stuart with a rating of maybe."
I laughed. If a guy caught her attention, and they got far enough for her to save their number, she'd add their first name with a rating on her "would I fuck them" scale. I winced when I realized the name she'd selected. "That's not fair. Stuart was a nice guy if a bit of a stalker."
"Which would have been impressive if he wasn't always falling over his big feet."
"You know what they say about big feet," I quipped.
We both laughed, and it was the first time I'd felt like myself in days.
"I gotta go." Ginger sounded hurried. "I'm late again. But seriously, girl, you need to stay away. Are you really okay?"
I glanced around the room at the scattered clothes and the silver tray with the remains of a gourmet meal. "Yeah. I am." Suddenly, I realized how good I was being treated, considering why I was here.
"Then stay put. And don't call for another day unless you're in trouble."
Then, she was gone.
