Page 30 of Deadly Sights

I open my mouth to respond, but my phone rings. It’s the special ringtone for Tamara. We haven’t hung out since our shopping trip where she poured her heart out to me about her breakup. Guilt eats at me for failing Tamara in such a big way. “I need to take this,” I say to Julian before answering the phone. “Tamara?”

“Girl, where have you been?” Moni’s voice surprises me. “Nah, where you at right now? We finna roll up.”

“I’m in the office. I can come to you, just tell me where to meet,” I say.

“Didn’t I tell you the girl would be working?” Chelsea’s voice sounds over the phone.

“Is everyone with you?” I ask.

“Yes, and we’re about to pull up to your building. Seems Chelsea knows your habits better than the rest of us.” Moni hangs up, leaving me staring at the handset.

Shit. I haven’t put the finishing touches on my plans to keep them safe and I’m nowhere near being able to execute them. I don’t have time to think about that now. If they’re coming here, they’ll be exposed.

“Bad news?” Julian stands over me.

“I’m not sure. Considering Tamara doesn’t give up her phone without a good reason, I’m leaning towards terrible news. They’re on their way here.” I look up at him with an apology on my lips.

“I’ll let you guys talk. We can plan the other stuff later. Just… you know, let me know where you’re going to be next.”

I nod, grateful that he seems to be returning to some semblance of his normal self. “Promise,” I say while going to my secret compartments to retrieve my semi-automatic handgun and throwing knives.

He smiles and shakes his head while watching me.

“They’re for protection.”

“I had no doubt. Remember, those aren’t the only protection you have,” he says before leaving.

I release a relieved breath, not prepared to explain his presence to my friends.

Not too long after he walks out the door, Danae and Chelsea come in.

Danae, who was silent on the call, leads the charge. “Nadira, baby, you coming with us.” She takes my hand and drags me from my desk.

Chelsea gets my bag and follows us out.

“What’s the emergency?” I am still confused because no one has said anything, but the tightness in their faces and the stiffness in their gait as they rush me out tell me I won’t like what they’re about to reveal.

Before we get to the car, I demand my phone. I send a quick text to Julian to let him know I’m leaving and once I know where, he’ll know, too. He sends an emoji of two hands pressed together in response.

In the SUV, everything clicks. Why Tamara wasn’t on the phone, why everyone is together, and why the serious demeanor. Tamara hugs herself tight while sporting a black eye.

“Give me a name,” I say.

Moni twists from her place in the passenger seat. “We all want one, but she ain’t saying what happened yet. So, we about to pamper the truth out of her.”

I sit in the back row, watching Tamara for any clues, though her silence poses a huge problem. “Was it the woman who left you?”

Tamara huddles further into herself. The only indication that she hears me is the tiny head shake she gives in response to my question.

With one suspect in the clear, I keep quiet for a few miles until another question pops into my head. “Where are we going?”

“The Ritz,” Chelsea says. At my frown, she rolls her eyes. “Not everyone can afford the Luxe Continental.”

“True, but you’re with someone who can. Danae, turn this car around and go where you know they treat us right.” While she follows my instructions, I dial my preferred hotel.

The Luxe isn’t just a fancier hotel, it’s higher price comes with more security. Given my current circumstances, I won’t leave my girls open to threats when we have options. Also, I have the schematics to the place and have used it as a temporary safe house upon occasion.

When I hang up the phone, Chelsea twists in her chair to ask me, “So who was that snack I saw walking out of your building?”

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