Page 72 of Seduction
“Where’s Penina?” When I’d seen them together a while ago, I could tell they were close. She would definitely cover for Penina, but I was ready to convince her to tell me where Penina was, come hell or high water.
“I don’t know.” She raised her eyebrows. “Why are you looking for her?”
It was then and there that I knew she was telling me the truth. “I can’t find her, and I need to find her.”
“But why?”
“Because we work together.”
“I know that.”
“Do you know if she’s home or not?” I snapped.
After taking a moment to study me, she sighed. “Well…” She checked her watch. “Pen is usually asleep by now. Sometimes she puts these earplugs in, or maybe she puts a mask over her eyes. Regardless, just give me a sec. We have keys to each other’s flats.”
I sighed with relief. “Thanks.”
Zara shot me a fake smile. “You’re welcome. But you know, you could’ve just said the two of you are seeing each other. Pen would tell me anyway.”
I kept a straight face as she waited for my reaction.
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I’ll be right back.”
Once she was out of sight, I released the tension in my chest.
* * *
I stoodin Penina’s bedroom, and it appeared as if wherever she’d gone, she had left in a hurry. Clothes were strewn across her bed. The bag she carried on a daily basis was also on the bed, and her laptop was still sitting on her desk.
“So, now that I’ve let you in, are you going to confirm that the two of you are involved?” Zara asked.
I’d almost forgotten she was standing behind me. “Yes,” I said without hesitation.
“All righty then,” she said, sounding shocked I’d been frank. “I knew it would happen, but not so soon. Pen’s slow to get it, you know…”
I wanted to know what she meant by Pen being slow to get it, but I felt pressured by needing to locate my missing girlfriend.
“Could you call her?” My tone was curter than I’d wanted to make it.
Zara tilted her head. “Oh, then she’s avoiding you.”
“Could you please call her?” I took the sting out of my voice that time.
She sighed briskly. “Sure,” she said and used the cell phone she’d been holding the whole time to place the call. She put the device next to her ear, and after about ten seconds turned her back on me. “Pen, it’s me, Z. Call me.” Zara faced me again when she ended the call.
“You got her voicemail?” I asked.
“I’m certain she knows you’re looking for her, Jake. Whatever you’ve done, she’s pissed about it. When Pen gets angry or sad, she drops off the face of the Earth, if she’s not on shift. I’d just give her some space, if I were you.”
Frowning, I rapped my fingers against my thigh, contemplating what to do next.
Zara waved a hand before my face, perhaps thinking I was dazed, and said, “Dr. Sparrow, she’ll call you when she’s ready. Unless whatever you did was pretty hurtful. Was it?” She set her jaw.
I shook my head, though I wasn’t saying no. What Gina had said to Penina hurt her deeply. But I wanted more time alone in Penina’s apartment to search for clues as to where she might’ve gone. My gaze roamed around the space. I was sure in all the mess there was something that would point to where I could find Penina.
“Do you mind leaving me alone?” I asked.
Zara threw her hands up. “Yes, I do mind leaving you alone in Pen’s apartment without her permission.”
