“She’s angry at her sister for stealing her pearl necklace and maybe killing her? And she scared off the new owner and hurt Daisy and Kyle. But what happened in all the years before then? Who lived here? And why didn’t she bother them?”
“Enough!” she snapped. “I don’t like you talking over my head like that! I might be a woman, but I deserve respect too!”
I nodded. “Then let us help you. You want the pearls so you can leave this place, right?” She nodded. “Then I need a phone so I can collect information on it. Technology has advanced since you were alive, and all I need to help you is what we call a phone.”
She moved away from the door. “Fine, I agree to your demand, but you cannot leave. The man outside must locate thisphonefor you and you can retrieve it at the door.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can!” Rino called, having heard her loud and clear. Now I just needed to find a way to pass the time until he returned.
Chapter 26
Jackson
I looked at my watch. Pete had been gone for eight hours. Eight hours of no response to my many calls and texts. Was he that mad at me? Or had something bad happened?
I couldn’t live like this!
Harold and his men had left for the day, leaving me alone in the mansion for the first time ever. Would I sleep alone too? Where would he sleep? In a hotel room in some far away town? In his car out in the open?
I was saved from my thoughts by the doorbell ringing; I practically ran to answer it. If Pete had died, was this how I would find out? Would they come by and tell me how sorry they were and then leave me broken on my doorstep?
I shook my head, berating myself for going to such horrible places in my mind. Then I opened the door and felt my heart quiver with fear. A tall man stood with a grim expression, then he showed me his card and I felt my legs weaken.
“Hello, Jackson. I’m Pete’s boss, Rino. Do you mind if I come in?”
This was it. My Pete was dead. Why else would he be here?
Ignoring his question, I blurted, “He’s dead, right? That’s why you’re here? To tell me the man I love is gone forever.”
He held up both hands with a small smile. “Pete’s alive.”
I felt my entire being relax, but then it hit me. “Oh, God! He’s been hurt?!”
“For god’s sake, Jackson. Let me in so I can tell you.” His tone was firm and his eyes showed me he wasn’t in the mood to drag this out any further.
I moved to the side and together we sat in the living room, me on the couch and him on one of the chairs.
“Pete is okay. He’s not hurt.”
I melted into the couch; my poor heart couldn’t take another scare like this. I would have to tie Pete up so could never leave me again. “Then why are you here?”
“Because Pete won’t be coming home for a few days, maybe more, maybe less.”
“What? Just where is he? Is he even still in the country?”
“He’s working on a secret case, but he’s not far. He’ll contact you himself when he can. I had to give him a new phone since his broke.”
“How did it break? Is he in danger?”
Rino gave an exasperated sigh. “You need to calm yourself before you speak to Pete, he’s working and doesn’t deserve to carry your worries with him. He needs to focus on his assignment, not on your feelings about it.” Well, that felt like a slap to the face. How could words hit so perfectly? I could almost feel the sting lingering as he watched and waited for me to argue with him, but I didn’t, instead I nodded and agreed to wait until Pete contacted me. Not that I could do anything but wait—I didn’t have his new number.
“Good boy,” Rino said, ignoring my wide-eyed look before he left the house without saying another word to me.
Had Pete told him about my dislike of his work? I didn’t feel like I was that unsupportive of it. Not until today, at least. Maybe I truly wasn’t as good a boyfriend as I’d thought, or hoped to be. If Pete was out there doing good, then I could learn to deal. Maybe.
I sighed and looked around the empty living room. It was so cold here without Pete warming up the place with his beaming smile and joy. He radiated heat and I was freezing without him.
I stood, walked towards the front door, and locked it.
