My phone rings. “It’s probably one of the site managers," I say as I reach for my phone.
Jenny’s name flashes on my screen. Should I take it? Everyone is going to give me shit about it if I do. But what if she’s locked out of the apartment and needs help. Or there’s an issue with Kingston. I should leave the room, discretion is vital. But my thumb slides over the screen before I can put some distance between me and the rest of the family.
The phone isn’t near her face. It’s hard to tell what’s happening. Maybe it’s pressed against her leg or something? But she’s not at my place. I would never use gray-beige shit on my walls.
“I think someone’s in my apartment.” Her voice doesn’t sound scared or confused.
The same cannot be said about mine. “What?” I’m vaguely aware of the rest of the family turning their attention to me. Mumbles of cursing rumble through the room.
“Yeah, my apartment door was closed, but the lock had been messed with. I’m going to the café across the street. I don’t know what the protocol is for a home invasion and you’ve recently slept with a mob boss. Should I call the police or not?”
My heart stops. I’m choking on my own air as all my body functions shut down at once. “What?”
“Someone is in my apartment,” she says slowly, like she’s trying not to be heard. She’s in danger. I shoot glances around the room. Donny is already getting up and grabbing his gun. Uncle Gio starts to move around, but Thiago says, “No,” and points to himself.
My lungs and heart are in a race for who can kill me first. “Get out of there.”
Jenny seems completely unfazed by this order. “I am. That’s why I’m going to the café across the street.” The camera fills with light as she hits the city street and lifts the phone. She frowns. “Although I do wish I wasn’t wearing my dress from last night. Everything screams walk of shame.”
Izzy and Waverly shake their collective heads at me. Waverly whispers, “You didn’t give her clothes? God, you’re such a fuck-up.”
I glare at my cousin and turn my attention back to Jenny, who is walking down the street. “Get out of there. Go someplace. Safe.”
“I am. I’ll be at the café across the street. Unless you want me to call the police. Are you not listening to a single word I’m saying?”
I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to save her. Where are my keys? Where’s my phone? “Go to that café across the street and wait until I get to you.”
“You’re not listening at all. Do you even hear the sounds my mouth is making, or is your brain screaming so loudly it’s blocking out all logic.”
“We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Donny and Thiago jump to their feet and head out the door. Alana’s ‘I told you’ icy glare cuts down to the bone. But what’s worse than her glare, she hisses, “You couldn’t fucking wait a week? Your dick put her in danger.”
This is exactly what I was afraid of.
Once out on the street, Donny hops in his truck while Thiago and I head to my car. He pushes me out of the way. “I’ll drive. You’re not thinking at all.”
“How do you know?”
“You're trying to get into Gio’s car.”
I blink a few times with my hand on the door handle. Fuck. I can’t get my mind around anything today. Jenny’s in danger. She could be hurt. I rub my chest to release some of the built-up pressure, but that’s not helping at all.
Thiago hits the GPS on my car and heads to Jenny’s place, Donny following behind us. My knee bounces as fast as the engine revs.
“You like her, don’t you?” Thiago says.
A sound that’s more of a grunt comes out of my mouth. “I don’t like the vet who was hitting on her and hurting my dog.” Maybe that’s who broke into her place, and now I have a legit reason to kick the shit out of him.
Thiago frowns. “I had a vet steal my girlfriend years ago. That’s how I met my wife.” He turns down the next street. “I’ll give you our guy’s number. He’s a billion years old and is practically an animal whisperer.”
“Thanks.”
My mind circles with possible outcomes. What if she’s followed? How did they find her? Who else is in danger?
Thiago exhales. “So, Uri works for Alana now.”
“I guess that’s not too shocking. Andrey never brought Uri into the loop.”
Thiago grips the steering wheel. “How much longer do you think we have? The Four Families?”
