“It’s for you. Line one.”
“Oh, I’ll take it inside my office.”
Tia Rose walked to her desk and picked up the phone. That uncertain feeling was becoming worse.
“Hey, beautiful. Do you regret not taking a few days off and joining us?” Jagger asked. She smiled. His voice alone made everything instantly better.
“Not yet. Too much work to be done here.”
“Well, you seriously have to start planning a vacation. We want to spend some quality time with you. What are you doing for lunch?”
“I have a meeting downtown, lunch included, and then I need to head back here to get some more designs done.”
“Shit. Okay, well, how about we catch up tonight. We can meet you at your place?”
She really wanted them to. It would make her feel safer, especially after the phone call. Maybe she should tell Jagger about it? Maybe she should call the detectives?
“Tia? What’s wrong?”
She took a deep breath, and then released it.
“Nothing. I guess stopping by would be great. I miss you both already.”
“Ha! Told you that would happen. How is seven? Does that give you enough time?”
“Yes. That will be perfect. I’ll call you later, or maybe text you during the meeting.”
“Okay. Later, baby.”
“Later, Jagger.”
She hung up the phone, and smiled. Thoughts of seeing Jagger and Hudson tonight would be her sole focus. Not the threatening phone call.
* * * *
He waited outside the building. Lucky for him, it was getting dark and the cops wouldn’t see him. That was if they were even around. Sean hadn’t seen one yet. He knew his sister was in the office building. She took the bus and would be coming out soon. The moment he saw her, he was on the move. He figured it would be best if they walked and talked as opposed to taking the bus. He didn’t want to be stuck like that in case he needed to bail.
Tia Rose walked along the sidewalk, and when he had the chance, he approached form behind.
“Hey, kid. We need to talk.”
She swung around fast, and when he caught sight of her close up, he was stunned at how beautiful his sister was. She looked incredible.
“Sean? Holy shit. What are you doing here? I heard that the police are looking for you. What in the world?” He grabbed her and pulled her toward the side of the building and away from people.
“Hey, I need some help.”
“No. I don’t want to get involved. I haven’t seen from you or heard from you in five years.”
“I’ve been on my own for four of those five years.”
“What? Dad and Mom said that you lived with them.”
“They’re fucking liars and thieves. I haven’t lived with them in years. I needed to get out once you left. They went psycho.” He looked away from her and hoped that she couldn’t see the light scar by his eye. His father broke a vase and cut him while they fought the night Sean left.
“I couldn’t handle the pain anymore, Tia.”
“But you were with them. You sat there and let them treat me that way. I couldn’t handle the pain either, or make up excuses anymore about my bruises and cuts. You didn’t stand up for me. You were too busy shooting up or out drinking.”