Page 7 of Glamour and Grit

SELENE

The sound of someone dropping a spoon three booths over makes me jump. I hide my eyes under my hand and droop toward the half empty coffee cup sitting before me. I haven’t stopped shaking since I ran screaming from my own apartment several hours ago.

Now I’m too afraid to go back. I considered calling the police, but I’ve never known my brother to not have at least one active warrant. If the police get involved, he might end up going to jail. Or worse, the authorities might cause Moreno to escalate. If he hasn't already hurt Justin, calling the cops might make him take that step.

I have to do something to help Justin, but if I can’t go to the cops, who’s left?

It hits me all of a sudden, like a bolt from the blue. My mind stops racing a mile a minute as I realize I do have an option, if an unconventional one.

A while back, my cousin Emory got into some trouble. Her piece of crap ex-boyfriend escaped from jail and put her through Hell. She hired a private security firm to protect her, and she had a one-man army as a bodyguard.

Emory is still alive and well. Her ex, he’s hopefully down belowgetting stabbed with pitchforks. The security firm knows their business, obviously. I even have an in with the company. Hopefully there’s a friends and family discount.

My cousin works as a choreographer. I fully expect that when I text, it will take her some time to get back to me because she's so busy. To my surprise, three little dots dance on my screen almost right away.

What’s up?

I’m in trouble. I might need your Security firm friends.

Where RU?

I text her my location, my hands still trembling, albeit slightly.

OMW. Don’t go anywhere and make sure there are lots of people around.

She doesn’t have to worry. I’m afraid to even go to the bathroom. About half an hour later, I see her pull into the parking lot. Emory storms the diner entrance and spots me right away.

Emory gives me a huge hug before sliding into the opposite side of the booth. Her blue eyes are filled with concern as she holds my hand across the table.

“Okay, what happened?”

“It’s my brother, Justin. He got mixed up with the wrong people again, and this time he dragged me into it too. I think…”

My voice breaks and my vision grows blurry with tears.

“I think Justin might be hurt. Maybe bad.”

“Oh, baby,” Emory says, her lips in a worried pout. “We’ll do everything we can to find him, okay? Have you gone to the police?”

“No, I haven’t. I’m afraid that they either won’t care because of Justin’s criminal record, or they’ll wind up arresting him instead of helping him.”

I break down what just happened at my place. Emory listens intently, occasionally squeezing my hand for reassurance.

“Okay, from what you’ve told me we don’t know for sure if Justin is hurt or not, so there’s no need to panic. Are you up for a little drive?”

“Of course.”

“All right. I’ll take you to the office.”

“It’s getting kind of late, will anyone be there?”

“The owner’s wife is in Calcutta filming a movie, so he’s been catching up on paperwork.”

“Oh, right,” I say with a smile I don’t really feel. “Your boyfriend works there. How are you guys doing?”

She gets a dreamy look on her face and sighs.

“Just perfect. He’s on an assignment at the moment, protecting a movie director from a biker gang. Or something. Anyway, let’s get you and your brother some help.”

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