Page 36 of Lucas
“In what way?”
She picked at her nails, then chewed on one. He hadn’t seen her do that since the first day they’d met. This was going to be bad, but he couldn’t think of anything she could have done that would make her any less dear to him. But he gave her the time to tell the story in her own way.
“When I first left Seattle, I drove south, stopping to see the cities and sights along the way. The only trips our family ever took were down the coast to the same city every year. I wanted to head someplace warmer without all the gray skies and rain. I don’t know why I stopped in Santiga Bay, but it was a decent-sized city on the coast, which I still love. The coast, I mean.” She relaxed at this part of her story. A good time for her. “I thought I’d stay for a bit then move on. I found a decent job, but the edge of the Hollows was the only place I could afford, and it was a tiny studio at that.
“The job was great until the company ran into hard times and had to let some of the staff go, which, yep, included me. It didn’t take long to land another job. The pay was half of what I’d been making, and it was tough to make rent each month. I found a second job but it still wasn’t enough. Mom wanted me to come home.” She wiped at an eye. “I felt like such a failure. Ofcourse, I was too proud, or too stupid, to tuck tail and go. I had a boyfriend. God, what a mistake that guy was. Before I figured that out, I let him move in to share rent. He ended up buying a bunch of stuff that turned out he couldn’t afford. I thought he was dealing weed or something, and to my shame, I didn’t complain about the new furniture, big screen TV, or bitchin’ entertainment center. Not until one day when he wasn’t home and the loan shark came calling.”
She wiped a tear away and didn’t look at him, preferring to stare straight ahead.
“Turns out, the asshole went out for that proverbial pack of smokes and never came back. He’d run off when he couldn’t pay the loan shark. But there I was in an apartment full of the remnants of his loan, and I ended up on the hook for the debt.”
Lucas didn’t have any words. He understood how loan sharks worked. They didn’t care who paid them as long as they got their money. With Ginger at her most vulnerable, she was an easy mark.
“So, there I was, owing a debt with interest compounding daily. I’d never see my way clear, and Sorrento knew it. The only chance I had to make the payments and eventually pay down the loan was to dance at one of his clubs.” She sniffled and turned her face away. “When I met Cressa, I’d been working at the club for a couple of months. It was another four months before she found out why I was dancing there. She was already Pandora. Had been long before she moved to the Hollows. She asked me to move in with her because she had a spare room. Said she could use help with the rent. Then she did the unthinkable.”
“She spoke with Sorrento and took over your debt.”
She whipped around so quickly, Lucas reflexively flinched. It was one of those good news with bad timing moments. His ability to flinch was a sign the healing was almost complete and he should be mobile soon. But the timing was bad.
Ginger’s eyes widened, and she leaned back. “Oh, my god.” Her expression quickly changed, and she lowered her gaze to stare at her chewed-up nails. “I wasn’t going to do anything.”
“I know that.” He touched her arm. “Seriously, you took me by surprise. Did you see me flinch?” He found distraction was the best policy in these situations.
A small grin appeared. “I did. I think that’s why I was so alarmed by your reaction.” Her smile widened. “How long before you can completely move?”
“I don’t know, but it should be soon. Maybe by morning.”
“You should take more blood before we go to bed.” She must have thought he’d refuse because she forged ahead. “Don’t argue with me. I need you up, and if not in fighting mode, strong enough to get in and out of the car on your own. Then we can get moving. I’m getting this itch that we’ve stayed too long as it is. So, you’re getting blood whether you want it or not.”
He couldn’t help but grin. He wasn’t sure if his facial muscles changed, but he could feel the grin just the same. “Yes, ma’am.”
She growled. “Just look at us. We’re sharing the most depressing stories of our lives. No wonder we’re on edge. From now on, not one more sad tale. Not on this trip. Deal?” She held out her hand as if to shake on it.
“You’re kidding, right?” He tried to lift his hand, but the single flinch had drained his reserve.
“Too soon?” She crooned and stepped off the bed. “I didn’t hear that we had a deal.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay for a few minutes while I run over to the diner? They’re pretty quick with the meals.”
“Sure. I’ll just lay about and appear menacing if anyone breaks down the door.”
“That’s the spirit.” She gave him a peck on the cheek, then one on the mouth before prancing to the door. She gave him a cheeky grin before disappearing.
She didn’t fool him. The fact she could flit between being sad to having such an upbeat attitude was what made Ginger so special. And that was before adding in her compassion. She still hurt inside and wasn’t happy about the debt Cressa took on. The debt Cressa now owed Devon. He’d wait until he was fully healed and back to his fighting strength. Then he’d find a way to make that pain go away. He owed her that much.
Chapter Fourteen
Bella strodeout of the jetway and into the busy New Orleans airport with Jacques at her side. She didn’t stop to scan the crowd but continued toward the exit, her messenger-style bag slung over her shoulder, a small duffel at her side, and the pounding of her military-style boots muffled on the carpeted floor. Jacques waited a beat then followed behind with a single duffel, staying within a couple paces of her.
She didn’t expect anything to happen at the airport with so many people around, but it was a standard protocol the two of them used. When they walked one in front of the other, they had more visibility to scan the crowd for trouble. In this case, vampires who might be waiting to follow them.
Sergi had called ahead and arranged for a rental car to be waiting for them at curbside under one of her aliases. Friends in all the right places. She thanked the shifter, who handed her the keys then bumped fists with her before running to a waiting car. Once they were gone, she dropped her bags in the back seat while Jacques did the same before sliding behind the wheel.
“It’s been some time since I’ve been here,” Jacques said as he pulled into the stream of cars exiting the airport.
Bella pulled out her tablet and brought up a map. “Follow the exit for I-10 East. It will take us straight to the Quarter.” She kept the tablet open and pulled down the visor, thankful for the makeup mirror, which she positioned to watch the cars behind them.
