“Miss, there is some wonderful smelling pizza here for you. Would you like me to bring it up?”
“Hi Marty, did you pay the guy?”
“Yes, and gave him a healthy tip.”
“So, I owe you money?”
“No. It’s put on a tab, and they pay it at the end of the month.”
“Then I’ll come right down.”
“Okay. They are on the counter. You better hurry, or several pieces will be missing,” he said and laughed.
She giggled. “I’ll try.”
Ava walked to the office door and was about ready to knock when she heard her name. She tried to listen but could only make out a few words.
She stepped back and decided she’d just get the pizza and come back. She’d knock then.
A few minutes later, she walked out of the elevator with her arms full of pizza to see Sean with his arms crossed, scowling at her and the other two frowning.
“What’s going on?” she asked. Jace came and grabbed the boxes from her when she started to shake.
“Dadd—Sean. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“You have someone out there who wants to hurt you, and you go traipsing down in the elevator without telling me?”
“I … well … Marty is down there, and I was just going to grab the pizzas and come right back up. I was going to tell you, but you guys were talking.”
“Don’t ever do that again.”
She crossed her arms. “I’m sick of being scared. Nothing’s happened in weeks.”
“You don’t know that.”
Ava pressed on her temple where it started to throb. She hated fighting, and after a long day, but it did surprise her that she was getting a headache. She rarely got them, but lately, they seemed to come more frequently. Fortunately, she was home and could take medicine right away.
“Can we talk about this later? I want to go lie down.”
He gripped her shoulders. “Are you getting another migraine?”
“I’m starting to.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
“Dirk made me eat part of a sandwich.”
“Do you think you can eat a bit? Part of it might just be you’re hungry.”
“I can’t take my medicine now then.”
“If you put it off for ten minutes, will that make a difference?” Sean asked.
“Not this early.”
“Then come and sit down.” He led her to the table and sat her in a chair. Jace handed her a plate with a piece of her pizza on it.
Sean came back with a tall glass of juice.