Page 21 of Sapphire Storm

“Oh, I see. So why did God send the snake tonight?”

Now Roman picked nervously at the fabric cuff of one of hisjacket’s sleeves. “To punish me for what I tried to do to you at SapphireCove.”

“Seems extreme.”

He could feel Roman searching his face through the darkness.Could the guy see him better than he could see Roman?

“You really think so?” Roman finally asked.

“I can’t pretend to speak for this version of God youbelieve in. But I can speak for myself and say I have no desire to see youhurt, Roman Walker. By anyone. Including some poor snake that just wants to eata mouse and go to sleep for a month.”

“You really are cool as ice, Ethan Blake.”

“Getting older is about learning what’s not worth reactingto.”

“Thanks, Gramps.”

“Watch it, kid.”

Roman laughed. “Where do you live?”

“Irvine,” he said.

“That’s far.”

“It’s just over the hill.”

“It’s a big hill. It’s more like a bunch of mountains.”

“I’ve driven the Alps.”

It was still too dark to read Roman’s expression closely,but he could feel the guy’s eyes studying him. “You drove all that way becausethe call dropped?”

“I drove all that way because I heard you screaming and Ithought you’d fallen. I could have just called some paramedics, but you’d havea bunch of EMTs trying not to laugh at you right now.”

“Appreciate that. But I’m still not getting off this benchuntil the sun rises.”

“Last time I checked, you still hadn’t had dinner.”

“Good. I’ll drop a few pounds.”

“Lovely, then your followers will be able to pleasurethemselves to the sight of your spleen. Seriously, have you had anything to eatall day?”

Roman grunted. “A protein bar and an Inferno.”

“Meth in a can, fabulous. My Lord, you were a panic attackwaiting to happen. We need to get some food in you and fast.”

“Where? It’s after midnight in Orange County. This isn’t exactlyManhattan, sir.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve lived in New York,monsieur.And there’s plenty to eat at my house.”

“I can’t eat a bunch of sugar. My diet’s really strict.”

“Tonight your diet isI need nourishment and quicklybecause I’m out of my mind.And I know how to make something besidespastry, thank you very much. I graduated from the Culinary Institute ofAmerica. It’s not a Sunday afternoon doughnut-making workshop at your localWilliams Sonoma.”

“Wow. Shading Williams Sonoma? Cooking people are intense.”

“Would you like to eat or not?”

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