Crazy Eights (Stacked Deck #8) - Emilia Finn Page 0,60
you Prima. I’m older than you, I’ve taken a spin around the block a few times, and I’m telling you, any man that talks to you like that…” She makes an exaggerated shivering noise. “Bad news.”
“Uh… okay. Thanks, I guess. Goodnight, then.”
“Goodnight, miss. Sweet dreams.”
I bring the phone away from my ear with a frown, swipe my thumb across the screen to hang up, and, setting the device on the kitchen counter, I look around my empty apartment in what I think may be shock.
She stayed on the phone with me, as though she knew I’d be walking alone in a bad neighborhood. She was kind of funny, if I push aside the rude. She was witty, assuming that’s another word for ‘catty’.
But she got me inside, reminded me to lock the door, talked me through an odd power reset, and then she wished me goodnight and sweet dreams.
And through it all, I’m wearing a floor-length gown finer than any dress I’ve ever worn in my life.
That was the strangest phone call I’ve ever had in my life.
Jamie
We’re Working on a Crisis-by-Crisis Basis
“It’s time to go in, Soph.”
I cross my hotel room the morning after Quinn’s date with a psychopath, and push into the hall at a trot. Watch on, phone in my hand, wallet in my pocket, and hat on my head. I let the room door swing closed as I make my way toward the elevator. “She was out on a date with Evan McGrady, Soph! I refuse to let that happen twice.”
“What are you gonna do? Knock on her door and toss her over your shoulder?”
“If that’s what I have to do, then that’s what I have to do.”
“Are you jealous that she was on a date, Jamie? Or worried about her safety?”
“She was with a dude who has a pile of dead bodies at his feet!” I push into the elevator and jam my thumb against the button for the ground floor. “He’s not just any guy, Soph. He’s dangerous.”
“That’s not what I asked,” she singsongs. “Are you jealous, or concerned? Because those are two wildly different emotions.”
“I’m both!” I try to work through nervous energy by tapping my feet as the elevator doors close, and I start going down. “I’m allowed to be jealous. I’d be pissed no matter who the guy is. But he’s the guy, and he’s fucking crazy. So we need to get her out.”
“And how do you suggest we do that? Huh? That’s her job, kid. That’s her home, her life, she’s there with her brother, and until she finds the guy she’s looking for, I get the feeling she’s not going anywhere.”
“So…” I look around the mirrored lift in search of… something. Answers. Support. A fucking miracle. “We need to find who she’s looking for. We can help her, Soph. We could have helped her four years ago, if only she’d fuckin’ asked. In the meantime, she can’t be dating that motherfucker. It’s not safe.”
The moment the doors ding open, I meet Rupert’s eyes and blow past him.
“Sir?” He follows after me in surprise when I don’t stop. “Sir? Would you like a cab?”
“Yeah.” I turn to him for only a second. “A cab, please.” Then I bring my attention back to Soph. “I have to let her know I’m here. I can help.”
“If you show your face, she’s gonna run. We both know it. She’s sneaky, she’s fast, and she’s determined.”
“She’s also gonna get the wake-up call of her damn life when I see her next.” I step outside of the hotel into sunlight, and slide into a cab when Rupert holds the door for me.
“Sir.” He holds the door even when I try to close it, leans closer, and searches my eyes with his. “Please be safe, sir. I know that look you have in your eyes. I know it usually precedes something reckless.”
“I agree with Rupert!” Soph shouts through the phone. “You’re gonna do something stupid. And we’ve done too much work for you to undo it now with your impulsiveness.”
“I’m going to see her,” I tell them both. “I’m going to make sure she’s safe.”
“Oh no.” Rupert releases the door, and crosses his body like I’m already dead. “You were asking about Mr. McGrady,” he murmurs. “And now you’re searching for a woman.”
“It’s not like that.” I slam the door closed and glance through the window. “She’s fine. She’s safe. I know where she is.”