Body of Trust - Jeannine Colette Page 0,22

I don’t believe in long lunch hours and coffee breaks. Go to work, do your job, go home. That’s the Amelia Sorrentino way.

My files are on DeLuca’s desk by the end of the day, and I’m at the bus stop just in time to get a vacant seat. Everyone who comes on after me has to stand.

Going to work today was the right decision. I needed the normalcy, and it helped keep my nerves relatively calm. Still, now that I’m on the bus, I keep my head alert. Not just for danger, but also for a certain blue-eyed man.

I search to see if Jesse is anywhere in sight. It stings a little that he’s not here, although I did ask him to leave me alone.

With my phone now charged, I close my eyes and listen to the music of The Fray, letting the melancholy sounds soothe me as I look out the window and watch my city pass by. From the narrow streets of downtown Manhattan and the Wall Street Bull to the warehouses along Brooklyn’s waterfront, over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the glistening waters near the Statue of Liberty, and onto the local streets of the borough I call home, I listen to music and find comfort in my city.

I get off the bus and walk to my car. The drive to my building passes in a blur, and I’m relieved to pull into the parking spot.

My tenth-floor apartment has one bedroom, a bathroom, and open kitchen, and through my window, I can see the Freedom Tower in downtown Manhattan. There’s no doorman or fancy lobby, but it’s mine, and I love it.

I let myself into my place and am startled by the sight of someone sitting on my living room sofa, causing me to fall backward into the wall and clutch my chest in fright.

“Hey, bitch. Get dressed because we’re going out.” Sienna gets up from the couch and walks toward me in a silver minidress with one shoulder.

“Jesus … you scared the shit out of me! What the hell are you doing here?” My hand is on my heart as it beats in panic mode.

Her long hair is flowing in curls, bouncing as she glides over. “I have a key, obviously. I’ve totally let myself into your apartment a thousand times before. What’s the problem?”

I push off the wall and toss my bag on the table. “I guess I’ve been a bit jittery lately.”

“Understandably! That happens to be exactly why we need to go out dancing.”

“It’s Monday. No one goes dancing on a Monday.” I lower my brows while she raises hers.

“When did you get so old? We live in New York City, the city that never sleeps. You can go clubbing at two in the afternoon if you want. And tonight just happens to be house night at Elektra.”

I walk to the refrigerator and open it, grabbing a bottle of VitaminWater. “I’m not in the mood to go dancing. This weekend wore me out.” Twisting the cap, I take a hefty drink.

“I know. We almost died on Friday night.”

“Correction: I almost died. You left.”

“Ten more minutes—”

“And you would have perished. You’re right. It’s frightening. I still don’t want to go out.”

I walk to the sofa and fall onto the cushions.

Sienna grabs my hand and lifts me up before I have a chance to get comfortable. “Oh no, you don’t. The world could end tomorrow, which means we need to spend every last minute having fun.”

“What about your tail?” I ask, referring to her bodyguards. “Do you not find it alarming that you have private security? Where are they anyway?”

“They’re parked by the hydrant across the street. Super stealthy. And, no, they’re just guys who drive me around. Don’t you remember my dad used to make us have a chaperone when we were in high school and wanted to go dancing in the city? Same thing.”

I let out a laugh. “Not really, Sienna. I think you have them because your father believes there’s a threat.”

“Your dad didn’t hire security for you, so that must mean you’re not! Believe me, those guys outside have more to do with my father keeping tabs on me since he and your dad are out of town. He’s been dying for an excuse to do this since I became an adult.”

Her assessment of the situation makes me feel a little better.

“How do you plan to get past them?”

“They’re coming with. Free designated driver. Who would pass that up? If you’re worried about