Page 68 of Ruthless Roses

“Sothat’swhat that was.”

“Salvatore on daddy duty today?”

I nod. “Usually I bring Dom with me, but he insisted he’d take him for the day. He’s a daddy’s boy, so Dom loves it.”

“Let me guess,” Sasha says. “Salvatore’s the fun parent.”

“Try mischievous. As in sneak you ice cream and let you stay up past nap time mischievous.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less. Unfortunately, for Bryce, he’s stuck with me and only me.”

“How are things with your admirer?”

Suddenly, outgoing and lively Sasha’s bashful. She runs a hand over her long braids and rakes her teeth over her lip. “It’s good… things are good.”

“Have you kissed him yet?”

“A lady never kisses and tells. Isn’t that what you said?”

But by the expression on her face—which can be best described as bursting at the seems—I’d say it’s safe to sayyes.

Things have moved forward between her and Stitches. Sasha admits they’ve been out a few more times. The clues end there.

We arrive at the nail salon minutes before our appointment. Time we use to browse the nail polish selection and pick up the portable nail boards to decide what design and shape we want. Sasha chooses a shade called watermelon pink while I go for a pearly gel polish that makes my nails sheen under direct light.

Sasha’s nail technician is still finishing her manicure when my phone rings. I excuse myself from the shop and step outside.

Cirie’s number pops up on my screen. Odd, considering she doesn’t usually call on my days off.

“Hello,” I say, standing near the nail shop entrance. My head security for the day, Fabio, sits by the door, looking comical as his bulky form sits flipping through girly magazines.

“Delphine,” comes an unrecognizable male voice. “I’m glad you’ve answered.”

I check my phone screen. It readsCirie. “You’ve got the wrong number.”

“I don’t think so—more like my number’s been spoofed to look like one on your contacts list. Why haven’t you answered my letter?”

My insides clench at the sound of his deep, unsettling voice. Suddenly, I’m hyperaware that I’m being watched on the crowded street. I look around in every direction as my heart races out of control.

“Don’t contact me again. Stay away from me and my family.”

“It’s too late for all that. Don’t you want to hear what I know about your mother? I have possessions of hers. Things she’d want her only daughter to have. She used to tell me how badly she wanted a baby girl. She was very proud of you.”

“You don’t know a damn thing about what she wanted or felt.”

“But I do, Delphine. I knew Leon better than anybody.”

“I’m not interested. Don’t contact me again!”

He laughs. “You’re not getting it. It doesn’t matter if you’re interested. But if you cooperate, then maybe I’ll spare that family of yours.”

My head turns over my shoulder and I take several quick steps back.

A man in a black and gold tracksuit walks toward me, his gaze set on me like I’m too fascinating to look away from.

I bang on the window for Fabio’s attention.

He snaps into action the second he spies the panicked expression on my face. Shoving the nail salon door open, he spills onto the street with his firearm drawn, the big guard dog enforcer he is.

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