Page 8 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Shethinks I build websites. As far as she’ll know, we all do.”
“Ifyou say so.” Dare gets to his feet. “I’ve got some strange coming over. Got togo.”
“Tellthe woman I can finish her off after you humiliate yourself.”
“Fuckoff, raisin.”
AfterI feed the information Dare gave me into my computer, I head back to thekitchen to find Zoe finishing up. “I’m done for tonight. Same time tomorrow?”
“Soundsgood.”
Hereyes are locked to her phone as she skims through her contacts and presses abutton. “Yes, ma’am. I need a taxi at…”
Ireach across and hit end, stepping back before she can kick me in the nuts.Judging by the look on her face, it was a distinct possibility. “What thehell?”
“Whydo you need a taxi? Is that how you always get to work?” That’d cost her afortune.
“Aslong as I’m at work on time, it’s none of your business how I get here.” Sheholds up her palm as I open my mouth. “But, if you’re so concerned I might notshow, you can relax. I have a car. It’s being repaired. I’ll have it back in lessthan a week.”
“Goodto know. Get your stuff. I’ll run you home.”
Icouldn’t have shocked her more if I’d dropped my pants and shook my ass in herface. “You don’t need to do that, I…”
“Justget your stuff, Ms. Difficult.”
Afterconsidering for a moment, she huffs, “Fine, thank you.” Well, that sounded likeit killed her. “For some reason, I pictured a sports car,” she says with asmall smile as we settle into my sedan.
“BecauseI give off a spoiled rich guy vibe?”
“No,your house does,” she replies with a giggle.
“Ionly inherited it a few months ago.” Why am I defending myself? I’ve never donewithout anything, but I wasn’t exactly rolling in riches either. For somereason, I don’t want her to see me as some rich douche.
Itry to keep the frown off my face as she leads me into a neighborhood Iwouldn’t want to walk through unarmed. The houses are dilapidated, the yardsovergrown. A car alarm blares, almost drowning out the sound of a police siren.“Turn here,” she orders. “It’s the apartment on the end.”
“Thanksfor the ride,” she says, and pops open the door, eager to get out of the car.
Thesound of my door slamming makes her turn around. “What are you doing?”
“Walkingyou to your door and making sure you get in okay. This isn’t the bestneighborhood.”
I’mrewarded with a long suspicious gaze before she relents and heads across acrumbling courtyard. “Do you live here alone?”
“No.”
Shedoesn’t elaborate, but her door opens as she approaches and a teenage boy givesme a cautious look. “Everything okay, Zo?”
“Yep.This is my boss, Landon. He gave me a ride home.” She waves him into the house,and he gives me a terse nod before retreating. “Thanks again for bringing mehome. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says, making it clear she has no intention ofinviting me inside.
“Lockyour door.” The warning leaps from my mouth before I can stop it, and shelaughs.
Hervoice softens. “I’ve lived here for over a year. I think I know to lock up.Good night, Landon.”
“Havea good night, Zoe.”
ThoughI barely know her, I feel guilty leaving her in such a dangerous place. I’mglad she isn’t alone, but who is the boy? He’s far too old to be her son. Herbrother, perhaps? Maybe she still lives with her parents and a sibling? Nowonder she seemed so happy with the twelve dollars per hour I offered her. Nowthat I see where she lives, that she isn’t just a student looking for a littleextra cash, I’ll have to pay her more. Whatever I can do to help her get out ofthat area.
I’mtoo restless to get any work done when I return home. Since it’s a warm night,a run sounds like just the thing. Throwing on a pair of shorts, I grab a bottleof water and head out the door.
