I shrug, not wanting my older cousin all up in my shit. “We’re going to swap cat sitting.”
His eyes narrow. “You hate Chloe. Besides, Rose and Mia will take your little nightmare whenever you ask. So. Why was he here?”
“Mrs. Nardo wants to off her husband.” I smirk.
“What else is new?”
“He wanted my blessing but I told him no. She’ll stiff him on the bill.”
He laughs. “Okay then. I’m outta here.”
“That was it?” I wait for the real reason he graced me with his presence and stare him down.
“Yeah”
“Nothing else?”
“No. See youz tomorrow. Mom says you’re making bread. Don’t fuck it up with weird spices and shit. Just garlic. Capice?”
“Yup, got it. Bye Joey. Bring a six pack. You owe me.”
“Good try.” He chuckles but stops at the door. “Anything dangerous happening I should know about?”
“Nope.” I turn to my computer. “Just a little studying.”
“Huh. Nice to know.” He leaves, my father calls and I almost don’t pick up.
“Bella. How ya doin’? Sienna wid youz?”
“No, she left this morning, why?”
“I think you and your bum of a partner should stay clear of her.”
“She’s our lawyer’s wife.”
“All the more reason. She’s going down and you don’t want your reputation to sink with hers. Tell you what. Why not come in on Monday, and we’ll get you an interview. Our research department could use a woman with your background.”
“Thanks, Dad. Appreciate the offer but-”
“Samantha. Your mother and I have been talking. At three years of age, you wanted to join the circus, then you wanted to be an astronaut. The day you settled on the FBI, we were thrilled. Why in God’s name do you insist on being a dick?”
I’ve given up trying to explain to my family how cool it is to work for myself, to pick my own jobs, and report to no one other than my partner. My dad is the worst of the lot.
“Oh shit, gotta go. The… ah… the cat fell into the toilet. See you after church. Love you. Thanks for checking in on me. Bye-bye.”
Jeesh.
Immediately, my phone rings again and it’s Suds. “Hey, sugar. I just dropped Andy off with Sienna and her brother. I’m on my way home.”
“Okay.” I glance over at our kitten sniffing her food bowl. “I think something’s wrong with Cat.”
“You want me to take her to the vet?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. She’s not nearly as crazy as usual.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
I snort out a laugh. “Because it isn’t her.”
