Page 114 of Blue Blood

After a few minutes, they were given a new appointment time in two hours.

“Two hours?” Ana repeated, aghast.

“It’s the best we could do, ma’am. Otherwise, it will have to be on Monday.”

“No, we’ll take it.” She wasn’t doing this all over again then. “Thank you.”

They left the reception desk and wandered over to the waiting area, where she sank into a seat tiredly. Grandfather and Reggie were judiciously silent as she rubbed her forehead.

Two hours. What were they supposed to do here for that long? She had to meet Bianca in an hour, but she couldn’t leave Grandfather alone. Not if he was becoming forgetful.

His symptoms had mostly been muscular so far, having to rely on a cane as his gait weakened. Until this appointment cancellation, however, he hadn’t exhibited any memory issues.

But what did she know? Her aunt had always managed him and his tantrums in private and kept up appearances in public.

Pulling up her phone, she sent a message to Bianca.

Ana: Would you possibly be free to meet around now? I’m in the area and have some time.

Crossing her fingers, she waited.

Bianca: Hi! I’m so sorry–I’m just wrapping up at the salon. Not sure if I’ll make it back so quickly. You still free at our original time?

Ana: No problem. Yes, I’ll be there in an hour.

Ugh.

Just great.

Maybe she could leave Reggie behind with Grandfather?

Ana instantly squashed the thought. Gio would be livid if he knew she was unprotected, especially since they didn’t know what Vitello was planning next. Reggie wouldn’t agree to leave her anyway.

But the driver was available…just sitting idle in the car.

Grandfather would undoubtedly rip him apart by the time she returned from her meeting, but she didn’t have any other choice. She didn’t want to be unprofessional and risk losing a VIP client like Bianca. She couldn’t bring Grandfather along to her meeting either. It would cut too close to his new appointment time.

Before she could call the driver, her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Caller.

Silencing it, she scrolled through her contacts to find the driver.

Bzz.

Bzz.

For God’s sake.

She picked up, irked. “Hello?”

“Ana! Thank fuck. Don’t hang up.”

You have got to be kidding me.

The familiar, feminine drawl had her back stiffening in pure outrage. Annoyance and black anger filled her in waves. “Celia.”

Her hand curled into a tight fist. The woman had some nerve contacting her, clearly through an alternate number since her original number had been blocked.

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