Page 16 of Lust

“Hello darlin’. What’s a nice place like you doin’ in a face like thissss?” And there it is. The view.

“Good morning, Ben. What can I get for you boys?” So his alias is Ben. Benjamin Jackson. Sounds almost presidential, not at all like the sodden mess draped into the wooden booth behind me.

Ben/Brent orders breakfast. Gio asks for coffee, black. He seems to grow more irritated by the minute.

“Let’s talk cash. Money. Moolah.” Brent cackles.

“As I’ve already stated, it’s five thousand up front.” The man sounds formal. Professional. “The rest after.”

Brent whistles. “I’ll scrape it together.” He finally slurs. “When can we get started?”

The other man moves audibly in his seat, his suit rustling against the wooden surface.

“Ben.” Gio’s voice is a low hiss. “We don’t discuss specifics in public. Is this all you needed to talk about?”

“What else is there ta talk ‘bout?” A loud clunk resonates against the back of the bench between us.

“When you text me nine-one-one, I assume there’s an emergency.” Gio’s words are clipped. “I figured she was onto you.”

“That dumb bitch doesn’t know shit.” Brent laughs like a barking hyena.

My blood boils. He’s talking about Ruby, I’m sure of it. I don’t know what these two assholes are up to, but I’m going to find out. I signal to Delilah, who hovers a few tables away. She glances toward me, but then responds to a shout from behind her.

“This should cover our meal,” I hear Gio say.

Shit. He’ll get away before I can pay my bill. I pull two more hundred-dollar bills off my stack, tuck them under the edge of my plate, then slip out of the booth and around to the back of the restaurant. I didn’t see Gio drive in, but I’ll spot him when he’s leaving.

Sure enough, I round the corner just as a black Range Rover pulls out of the parking lot. I slide in behind it and follow him onto the freeway.

Despite my discrete distance, Gio weaves expertly through traffic. Either he’s used to driving evasively, or he knows he’s being tailed. I fall back behind a semi-truck to ease his suspicions. A sudden squeal of brakes ahead signals a disruption to traffic. The next thing I know, Gio’s Rover darts off the highway to my right while I’m still in the far left lane, another semi truck barreling down next to me.

Motherfucker got away. This is going to be more interesting than I thought.

Taking the next exit, I mentally review as much detail about Gio’s car as I can remember, kicking myself for not capturing a photo of him while I had the chance. Everyone’s on the Arrow App these days, and with our facial recognition software, I could have learned his identity in seconds. Something about this guy seems off, and he might be a danger to Ruby. For now, though, the most I can do is deliver today’s gift.

Chapter 7

November 30th

Ruby

IttakesManuelallof three seconds to notice my new earrings.

“Girl, either your man decided to ask forgiveness in a major way, or you’ve finally learned how to treat yo self!” He reaches out and fingers my earlobe, lifting the gem to catch the soft light in the intimates section of the store. “These look like they cost more than a Kardashian’s plastic surgery bill!”

“I don’t know how much they were.” I shrug. “They were a present.”

His eyes widen. “So, old boy realized he’s a total jackass? Hell hath frozen over!” He clutches his hand to his heart.

“No, not that,” I laugh. “He’d probably buy me a ten-dollar bouquet and a cheap bar of chocolate. He’d never spring for these.”

“Then who?” Manuel leans forward, his hands on my shoulders, eyes like saucers. “Spill the tea before my brain overheats.” He gives me a little shake.

I shrug again. “Honestly, I don’t know. They were in my mailbox. Didn’t even have my name on them, just a note that said ‘Merry Christmas, Gorgeous’.”

“Oh. My God.” He presses his fingertips to his mouth. “Are you telling me you have a Secret Fucking Santa who gave you ruby earrings? Where. The fuck. Do. I. Sign. Up?”

“I guess I do have a Secret Santa.” A smile rolls across my face. “Unless they were really meant for one of the neighbors. But I say finders keepers.”

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