“His Creator could have been Spanish. Now will you shut your gob and let me carry on?”
I gave him an impish grin. “Dazzle me.”
Christian faced Amber, his feathers ruffled. “Does Cristo have a last name?”
She shrugged.
“How do you know him?”
“He pays me to watch them,” she said in a monotone voice.
“Watch who?”
“The children.”
I jumped out of my seat and sat beside her. “Where’s the baby?”
She continued gazing into Christian’s obsidian eyes.
He narrowed them. “Has Cristo asked you to watch any babies in the past week?”
She nodded.
“Can you show me?”
Amber shook her head. “I don’t have him anymore. Cristo took him away this morning.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. The baby cried a lot. I’ve never taken care of a baby that little before. He always brings me kids.”
“Why would he trust her?” I asked Christian.
“It’s easier that way. Men like him prey on weak women. They distance themselves from the merchandise, and that baby would be a lottery ticket in the Bricks. And like I said before, it also keeps his hands clean if something goes wrong.”
I nudged the woman. “Where did he take the baby?”
Christian clucked his tongue. “It doesn’t usually work like that. Most of the time, they only listen to the one who’s charming them.” He patted Amber’s hand. “Can you tell me where they went or his phone number? Anything?”
She robotically shook her head. “He calls me. He goes to the club; that’s where we met. I left the baby alone the other night to find him and tell him I didn’t want to do this job. He got mad. Told me I needed to go back home and stay there until he called.”
Christian tugged on his earlobe, his gaze drifting off. “At least we have his name. Uncommon names make them easier to track.”
“Assuming it’s his real name.” I stood up and sat on the opposite bench.
“Did he pick up the baby in a car?” Christian asked. “Can you describe it?”
“White,” she quickly said. “I almost didn’t open the door when I saw it through the curtains. I don’t know anyone with a white car.”
“Was he alone?”
She shrugged.
“That’s good, Amber. I enjoyed our friendly conversation. Taking care of those children must have been frightening. Men like Cristo are dangerous, and they’ll creep into your house in the middle of the night and slit your throat.”
I kicked him in the ass. “Why are you scaring her?”
“You want to turn over a new leaf,” he continued, ignoring me. “What are you good at?”
