Page 9 of Taken for Granite
“Yes, it is,” Chloe answered in that authoritative voice all teenagers had. She knew better. She didn’t work or pay the bills and had no blessed idea about how much things cost, but Chloe knew better. “And that hair color does not work with your complexion,” she added for good measure.
“I thought you said I was rocking it.” Juniper touched the back of her head, confirming her blue ponytail held in place. She dyed her naturally dishwater blonde hair a bright color because she wanted fun in her life and dye was cheap. Fortunately, her blah hair soaked up the color.
“I was being ironic,” Chloe said.
Juniper pressed her lips together, willing herself not snap back at her bratty sister. Chloe was a good kid. She was. Unfortunately, she was in a bitchy mood today.
The car turned the corner and they entered their street.
“I’m sorry. It’s just… I had a bad day,” Chloe said in a quiet voice.
Juniper knew that the other students at Chloe’s school got the best computers, the newest phone, the most fashionable shoes, and stupidly expensive everything. It was more than just the other students. Chloe rarely cared what strangers thought, but Chloe’s friend, Amelia, had all those expensive things and lived in a large house with an honest to goodness housekeeper. She had to be under immense pressure to fit in.
“My day sucked donkey balls too,” Juniper said, earning a snort from Chloe.
“Language, young lady.”
“I’m thinking meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. How’s that sound?”
“I already had a burger at the diner,” Chloe said, unsnapping her seatbelt as the car pulled into the driveway. She slammed the door closed and headed to the front door.
“More for me then,” Juniper said, keys in hand. The day had worn on her, making her itch and squirm. She’d get dinner in the oven and then take a quick shower.
The moment she stepped on the front porch, she knew something was off. The unlocked door swung open at a touch, and Juniper distinctly remembered locking it that morning.
“Stay here,” she said, motioning for her sister to stay back with an outstretched arm.
“No way. I gotta pee.” Chloe sidestepped her sister’s blockade and shoved her way through the door, the book-laden backpack poking sharply into Juniper’s side.
“That’s no way to talk to your sister,” a deep voice said.
A dark figure sat in the center of the sofa, flanked by two large men with stern expressions. Mickey and his henchmen.
“You make house calls now?” Juniper regretted her words before she saw Mickey tense up. She wanted to claw them back. “I expected you at the diner.”
Mick tilted his head as if he hadn’t ever noticed Juniper’s habit of saying everything she shouldn’t. He had a lean face with sharp, keen eyes, topped with dark hair. The effect was entirely like being studied by a crow.
He turned to Chloe and Juniper held her breath. She didn’t want Mickey talking to Chloe, looking at her, or even knowing she existed. Her protective instincts wanted to shield her sister from the big bad man sitting in their living room.
“You should go do your homework,” he said to Chloe before turning his attention back to Juniper.
“I’m staying here.” Chloe dropped her backpack at her feet and folded her arms over her chest.
Lord save her from stubborn teenagers.
“Go to your room. It’s okay,” Juniper said.
“No, it’s not. I’m not a little kid. I have eyes. Nothing about this is okay!” Chloe waved a hand toward their unexpected guests.
Mickey chuckled.
Juniper set her keys and bag down on an ottoman next to the front door. “Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea.”
“No, thank you. Sit. I think we should discuss business and get out of Chloe’s house,” Mickey said and pointed to the green armchair opposite the sofa. “Nice place, by the way. Not what I pictured, but it’s homey.”
Juniper sat. Chloe stood directly behind her, hands clamped on the back of the chair.
They lost all the contents of the house in the fire. What hadn’t been damaged by the fire had been ruined by smoke. Try as she might, she just couldn’t get the smell of smoke out of the furniture or any fabric. They tossed all their clothes, bedsheets, curtains, towels, everything. Even the fake Christmas tree in the attic, which had melted a bit.
