She settles on the couch as far away from me as possible, with Cleo on her lap.
This is going to be a long duty assignment if things are going to be like this.
And I have no one to blame but myself.
* * *
After watching both Jurassic Park and the sequel, Allora and Cleo are dozing on one corner of the couch. I could pick her up and carry her to bed but that might be overstepping, so I cover her with a blanket instead.
I’ve just settled on the other side of the sectional, trying to decide if I’m tired enough to sleep, when I hear a strange scratching noise.
I’m instantly on my feet, reaching for the revolver I keep in the drawer of a side table near the front door. Since I live alone, there’s no need to lock up my weapons, and I keep them all over the apartment. Just in case.
The scratching noise continues, and I realize someone is trying to pick the lock.
What. The. Fuck.
My movements must have woken Cleo, because she stands and stretches, watching me warily. That must have woken Allora because her eyes pop open and it looks like she’s about to say something, but I quickly put a finger to my lips, shaking my head.
She notices the gun and her eyes widen.
“Go into the bedroom,” I mouth, pointing.
She grabs Cleo and moves soundlessly across the floor in her bare feet.
I walk to the door and disengage the deadbolt, throwing it open in one smooth motion. Someone is there, but he or she immediately takes off running. I watch without moving.
Nice try, assholes.
This trick is the oldest one in the book. They send a decoy to distract me, I take off after him, and leave Allora unprotected. Yeah, not my first rodeo, dickhead. I close the door, turn the deadbolt, and engage the alarm.
I call Rage as I walk to the bedroom to check on Allora.
“What’s up?” he answers on the first ring.
“I think our trafficking assholes have found me,” I say.
“Shit. You okay?”
“Yeah, but we need to get out of here in the morning.”
“You want me to sit in the parking lot?”
“Nah, I got this.” I look at Allora, who’s sitting on the bed watching me intently. “They were hoping I’d chase after the guy at the door so they could walk in, grab Allora, and get out before I realized what was happening.”
“Obviously, they don’t know you.”
“Obviously.” We both chuckle.
“Call if you need me.”
“Will do.”
“I’ll be there bright and early, just in case getting out of there proves complicated.”
“See you then.” I put the phone in my pocket and turn to Allora. “You okay?”
“Other than scared to death? Sure.”
