There was only one person who could help me, so I dialed her number.
“I know you love me, but I’m not due for another two hours.” Kim’s music was much quieter in the background than usual.
“Could you do me a huge favor?” I hated to ask her, and even though I figured she wouldn’t mind, I hated to put her out.
“Well, since you’re like my best friend and all… I guess so.”
“Before you leave the city, could you please go by my place and grab me some clothes? We were supposed to go by, but I don’t think these men have any concept of wardrobe variety.”
“Men, huh?” I wondered where Gabriel had gone. He hadn’t been in the room when I came out.
“You remember Joe, the hot bodyguard, and Gabriel of course. There is a man named Carl, but he’s a bit old for you.
“Is he rich? Cause if so, I might make an exception.” We shared a laugh, and I imagined her with the old gardener. “Before I get too distracted, do you want to tell me now what to grab or would you prefer I video call you?”
Thank God for technology. “Video call. That way I can tell you where my other suitcase is and have you fill it with the good stuff like yoga pants and tank tops.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t pack them, but I guess it’s best to let Gabriel see the real you. I’ll pack those disgusting, neon-orange cheese puffs you like, too, if you want.” My mouth popped open.
“You wouldn’t dare. Besides, I haven’t touched one in weeks.”
“Vegas probably banned them.”
I thought about the hotel’s horrible pesto sauce. “You’d be surprised the vile things you get there.”
“Let’s not go there.” Knowing her gutter mind, I’d take the warning.
“Thanks for doing this for me. I can’t wait to see you.” She’d been like my sister for so long; this was the longest I’d gone without seeing her in years.
“That’s because I’m packing your yoga pants.” Her laughter always warmed my heart, and as we said our goodbyes, I wondered where my other heart warmer was.
I slipped on the only comfortable pair of jeans I’d packed and a cotton t-shirt I was sick of seei
ng. Since I’d left my sandals by the pool, and the only other pair I had packed was heels, I went downstairs barefoot with all intentions of going out to get my shoes.
But first, I wanted to find Gabriel and get an update on his nephew. The last thing I needed was to get cornered at the pool again.
I found him in his office alone, but he was on the phone. I stopped in the doorway, and he motioned me in. I took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk as he laid out his findings, which made me think it had to be Mason on the other end.
“I hate having to do this.” He raked his hand through his hair and let Mason speak. Across the distance, I heard the faint garbled sound of his voice as he convinced Gabriel he was doing the right thing.
“Keep me posted.” Gabriel hung up the phone and stared across the desk smiling. “Are you barefoot?”
My cheeks warmed. “Yes. I left my sandals by the pool and before I go out to get them, I wanted to know if Harbor was still around.” I folded my arms across my stomach.
“Are you sure he didn’t touch you, Luna?” I shook my head. “If he did-”
“He didn’t. He was being an ass, but he didn’t touch me.” I wasn’t about to tell him how close Harbor had gotten before I pushed past him.
“I don’t like that you’re worried because of him. He’s still around, and if we see him, don’t let him intimidate you. He gets a kick out of that kind of thing.”
“Tell me about it. He mentioned the victims and said at least this time you’d picked a fighter. It sent chills right through me, and I saw a flash in his face, as if his eyes had lit with pleasure. He gets off on it, all right.”
“You should have told me that last-”
Judy’s voice sounded from the hall and she poked her head around the door. She held my sandals in her hand. “Breakfast is ready, and I’ll serve you on the patio this morning. I woke Sandra.” She extended her arm toward me. “I believe these must be yours. Sandra said she’d never seen them before.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m sorry I left them lying around.” She smiled as if nothing bothered her, and I scolded myself for causing her to clean up after me like someone with no better manners than to leave my things strewn about the house.