Page 39 of Hostile Secret
“Are you at his place now?” he asks in that husky voice of his, typically probing for answers.
“Eh—no. I’m with a couple of friends from school. It’s all cool, Dré.” I paint on a smile, even when he can’t see it, pretending I’m not empty inside.
There’s a brief silence. “Who arethey? Does Gio know who you’re with? Has he done background checks?”
“Look, it's okay. They’re niceee people.” I slur a little and frown at the uncontrollable way the word had betrayed me.
“India…” His voice hardens. “Are you drinking?”
“It’s my birthday, Dré!” My tone rises a decibel higher out of frustration. “Did you seriously expect me to sit at home by myself?” I push off the hood and gasp, shocked at how I sway.
“Shit.” I mutter, palming my forehead. “What did you do to celebrate your eighteenth, Dré—huh? I bet you partied all night long and thoroughly enjoyed yourself.”
“That’s different,” he snaps. “Please tell me Gio is with you.”
“Your brother is away on business and I’m with my new friends, trying to get on with my life. You’re doing the same with Sinéad, aren’t you?”
“Christ,” he snarls down the phone line. “I’ll fucking kill Gio for leaving you alone.”
“It’s not his fault. I was the one who bailed on the pilot after school. No one here knows who I am, Dré.”
I find myself defending Giovanni for some pointless reason.
“Anyway, I didn’t drink that much and now I’m looooving life…” The way I over emphasize the lie doesn't fool either of us.
“India,” André’s tone turns urgent. “Did he put a security detail on you?”
“Oh my God, why would he? I was at school all day. And now I’m socializing with people my own age. There’sss no funny business. I promissse.” There’s that annoying slur back again.
I squeeze my eyes shut briefly, but it doesn’t help. I’m still drunk. “Isn’t that what you asked me to do? To start over in Colombia.”
“Where the fuck are you, India?”
“Some bar called Elysian.” I tell him. “They play really good music here; I think you’d like it.”
“Do not leave the bar. Do you hear me? Stay indoors. I’m calling Gio now.”
“Wait… don’t… I’m staying at Ana’s house tonight. Her mom is expecting me.”
“India.” He clips. “Listen to me. You’re in North Colombia without a bodyguard. Stay the fuck indoors.Comprendes?”
My skin prickles. “Okay. Fine, I’m going back into the bar now.”
“I’ll call you once I’ve arranged for someone to collect you.” He barks down the line. “Indy––” Dré clears his throat. “Your safety is a priority; do you understand that?”
“I miss him… and Letterman… andyou.” My emotions are all over the place. Alcohol is definitely not my friend. “You’re right…nothingis the same anymore.”
“I miss you too.” He sighs heavily. “But being reckless won’t bring him back. Now, stay the fuck inside the bar.”
“Okay.”
When the line goes dead, I hunker down to fix the strap twisting around my ankle. It’s coming loose and the last thing I want to do is fall flat on my face in front of everyone.
“Hey, Baby Doll,” a masculine voice comes up from behind me. “Need some help there?”
I rise to an unbalanced stand. “Sorted, thanks.”
A man dressed in navy denim jeans and a Hawaiian print shirt jangles a key fob at me. “I came outside for a smoke and found an angel waiting by my car.”
