My jaw tightened. As always, our versions differed.
“Why did you call Grace? Why not come to my apartment or my work and warn me? Were you trying to ruin my relationship?”
“Why would I do that?”
I could think of a few reasons, but I kept my mouth shut.
“I didn’t know where you lived, Rory. All I had was her number from the note she left you that night Hartman tried to kill you. I was smart enough to pocket it before he saw it. I only found you now because I had a meeting with Dutch, and I looked through his files when he went to get me a drink.”
“You’re working with Dutch?”
“Why do you sound so surprised? We were both victims of the same people.”
“I know, but that would require you to turn on your buddies.”
“My buddies? Do you think I’m deep in with these guys? I’m a street whore, Rory, not a mastermind. I’ve been a virtual prisoner since I came back to Los Angeles. Hartman found me all strung out, wandering the Stroll. He got me just clean enough to send me back out on the street, so at least he could make a little money off my misery. Always thinking, that one,” she said through a bitter frown, tapping her chipped fingernail to her temple. “I only hear things because they talk over me, thinking I’m too dumb to retain anything. But imagine what they would think if I flat-out asked them where you lived? They might think I had a few surviving brain cells in my head and wouldn’t be so eager to plot in my presence. I’ve been doing the best I can, Rory, so don’t you dare accuse me of being part of the boys’ club.”
She was visibly shaking. Although she’d claimed to be a great actress as a child, she wasn’t. If this was all an act, then she deserved an Oscar. “I’m sorry, Nik. Okay? This whole this is bearing down on me, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I do. Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Into the witness protection program. Dutch said he’d place us together. The two of us. Like old times.”
My blood ran cold. Old times? Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
Nikki misinterpreted my silence as acceptance. She reached up and gently traced her fingers along my face.
“Nikki…” I was about to tell her to back off when she abruptly pulled my head down and kissed my lips. It took my brain a second to register, but when it finally did, I jerked away like I’d touched a scalding flame.
“What’d you do that for?” I blasted angrily.
“I thought… shit… I thought you wanted me to.”
“When have I ever wanted you to?” My voice ticked up, old anger rearing its head.
“I’m sorry, okay? You know I don’t understand social cues. I get confused.”
“There should be no confusion. You’re mysister.”
“In your mind only. We’re not related.”
I let her explanation simmer. “That doesn’t make it right.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Rory. I’m so screwed up in the head. I shouldn’t have kissed you, I know that. My brain doesn’t always work the way it should.”
“Then I’ll make it very clear for you to understand. Don’t ever do that again.”
Nikki shook her head. “I won’t.”
“I need to go,” I said, turning to leave her on the sidewalk.
“You’re not coming with me?”
I turned around to face her. “What part of that conversation made you think I would?”
“You have to. They’re going to kill you.” Nikki locked eyes with me. “Is this about her? You know you have to leave her, right?”
