Page 6 of True Valor
“Good morning,” Nic said, trying for acheerful tone, and turned to go into the kitchen.
“Will you take me to get my car thismorning?”
“And then what, Julie?Did you remembersomething?”Nic returned to the living room, a mug of coffee in hishand.
“No.I don’t know.”She tossed back theblanket and launched to her feet.
“Maybe we should check with the police.”Ifhe could get her to agree, he wouldn’t feel like he was abandoningher.It was worth a try.
“No, no police.”She responded withouthesitation.“Just get me to the car and I’ll figure outsomething.”
“C’mon, Julie.That doesn’t make sense.Youdon’t have your ID, or money or anything.”
Julie pulled herself up straight.“I’m fullyaware of that.”
Frustration rose up in Nic’s throat.“Well,that’s about all you’re aware of.”
“Thanks for reminding me.I don’t need thisfrom you, Nic from Boston.I’m a big girl, I can take care ofmyself.”Julie stomped to the window, stood by the desk, andfingered the phone cord.She stared at the phone as if trying tothink of someone to call.
“Yeah, right.You’re so independent that youcame and slept on the floor beside me last night.Be sensible.”
A small squeak came from her before sheturned to face him.Julie glared at Nic for an instant.
Dang, he shouldn’t have said that.She didn’tdeserve the rage and bitterness that blindsided him, even now.Butthen, almost as quickly as it materialized, her glare melted intoindifference.
“Whatever you say.”
Was that a concession?That was what hewanted, wasn’t it?“You go shower first.I’ll order us somebreakfast.”
“Fine.”Julie pushed past Nic, walked intothe bathroom and shut the door.
As the shower ran, Nic ordered food.Thephone rang just after he hung it up.Who would be calling him here?Maybe Cruz was checking to make sure he’d followed through.Nicgrabbed the phone on the second ring, looking toward the bathroomto make sure Julie was still in the shower.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Boyo.”
“Uncle Mickey, what are you doing callingme?”Nic knew the answer even before he finished the question.Thelast time Nic and Joey’d gone home, they’d dragged Cruz along.He’dbeen an instant hit with the D’Onofrio family.“Cruz calledyou?”
“Yeah, he did.”
“Sorry he bothered you.Did he fill youin?”
“He’s convinced that you’re in danger,Boyo.”
“Me?Why?”
“Said something about a gut feeling.Ithought you might want me to run those plates for you.”
“What?”
“Well,” he snorted “you surely aren’t goingto do what he suggested, are you?”
“Yeah, I am.Why?”
“Because it’s BS, Nicky.”
“What?”
