Crazy Eights (Stacked Deck #8) - Emilia Finn Page 0,58
be. We have workers knocking on doors now, but no one is answering at your home.”
“Yeah, um…” My brother is at work. “I’m out… on a date.”
“I’m so sorry for interrupting your date, dear. But it’s imperative we gain access to your apartment immediately. If you’re too far away, our linemen are instructed to gain access however they need to.”
“However they…” I press my fingers to my temple. “Huh?”
“They would kick your door in, miss. And because this phone call has been logged, thus gaining your permission, the city would not be liable to replace your door.”
“Wait a minute!” My temper spikes instantly, escalating from confusion to rage. “You can’t just kick my door in, lady. That shit is expensive to replace, and at this time of night, after all the stores are closed…” I throw my hand up, only to hiss at the pain that shoots through my shoulder. “If you kick my door in tonight, they won’t be able to fix it until tomorrow at the earliest, and that’s your rich ass assuming we can afford a new door that someone else broke.”
“I apologize, miss. This isn’t personal, but surely you can understand a door is cheaper to replace than an entire building.”
“Why do you need to get in?”
“Our tech team must access your power board. It’ll take only a moment, but it’s imperative this happens now. Unfortunately, if you’re too far away, we won’t have a choice but to—”
“If you kick my door in,” I spin and collect my purse, “I’m gonna kick some heads in. Dammit, lady. I can be there in about ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes may be five minutes too long, ma’am. Could you possibly move a little faster?”
“Yeah. I’m coming. Jesus.”
I make my way across the apartment, stop in front of Evan, and try not to show my relief at a valid excuse out of this date. I came here for information, and though I got some, it doesn’t make me happy. I need to leave, to regroup, to breathe fresh air, and to stop sipping wine.
“I’m so sorry, Evan. There’s an emergency at my apartment, and no one else is there to let these people in.”
“So you must go, Prima?” He gently grabs my other hand and tries to slow my steps. “We have barely had time to sit.”
“I’m so sorry. City Electric said something about my apartment being in danger of fire.”
“Ma’am?” I hear from the woman on the phone.
“Yes, I’m coming,” I snap. “Is your voice always that nasally, or do you have a cold?”
“You, young lady, are rude.”
“Evan… I’m sorry.”
“Prima, don’t go.”
“I’m sorry,” I repeat and back away from him, heading toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, when I’m on shift.”
“Prima!”
“That’s a weird pet name,” the woman on the phone drones. “Is he your creepy uncle, or what?”
“What?” I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the number. Shaking my head, I turn at the door, and bolt into the fancy foyer, and then the private elevator.
The doors begin closing just as Evan steps to the double wooden doors. His eyes lock onto mine, anger, suspicion, concern. But then the elevator doors seal me in, and I start descending.
“Ma’am? Ma’am? Are you there?”
I bring the phone up to my ear. “Why are you still on the phone? I said I was coming.”
“Just wanted to make sure your creepy uncle would let you out after curfew. Can I get your ETA, ma’am?”
“My ETA?”
“How long until you’re there? Jesus. How hard are acronyms for you?”
“Excuse me? What kind of customer service troll are you? Since when do courtesy calls include sarcasm and rudeness?”
I dash out of the elevator when it stops, and skid my way past the bouncer and into the street.
Wait.
What the hell was I thinking? “Woman! I don’t have a car.”
“I could send a driver, if you like. The boys working the lines tonight are personal friends of mine. Cute. Handsome. Available.”
Cute and available? “Is this even real right now? What the hell?”
I turn away from the club and start the trek home. It’s only a matter of blocks, and I’m a local in these streets, which usually means we’re immune to the thugs and drive-by fuckery. But I’m also wearing shiny jewelry and a backless dress.
I tug my bangle off, slide it into my purse. Then the necklace. Then the watch I accidentally stole right off Evan’s wrist – I’m going to Hell – and tucking it all away, I pick up my speed and