“Thank you,” I said quietly, knowing it was because of me. Because of my bullshit, my sins, my mistakes.
“What about Dennis and Ethel?” She sniffed.
I stared at her blankly. Who the fuck were they, her chia pets?
“My driver and his wife,” she explained. “I won’t be able to afford Dennis’ services anymore. They need the income.”
She cared about others. Deeply. It was hard to remember why I’d ever thought she was a shallow little tart.
“Do you have any idea how old Dennis is?”
She shook her head. I did. I knew. Because I’d had every part of her life examined to a T before I flew to Los Angeles.
“He’s sixty-eight.”
“Okay…”
“He doesn’t want to work anymore. He wants to retire.”
Anthony Thorne told me as much on our phone call prior to my taking the job.
“He does?” She winced. “But then… why did he stay?”
“Because of you. He loves you like a granddaughter. I sent him on vacation not as punishment, but because he was exhausted. You were out and about all hours of the night. He couldn’t keep up—he’s not a teenager.”
“How had I not noticed that?” she murmured. “I’ve been a terrible brat.”
“Not so terrible. But a brat, indeed.” I squeezed her hand.
The driver slowed as he approached her neighborhood. Hallie entered the code to open up the gate. It had been a short trip, but it sure packed one hell of a punch.
“That’s weird.” Hallie looked outside the passenger window, craning her neck slightly. “There’s a car I don’t know parked outside my house.”
My skin prickled with awareness. If it was who I thought it was, he was about to enter a world of pain.
The driver stopped a few feet from a red Jaguar convertible.
“Don’t kill the engine,” I instructed, flinging open my side of the door. “Hallie, stay here and don’t get out until I tell you to. Call the police if need be—but do. Not. Leave.”
I got out, slamming the door behind me and walking over to the car, one hand over the gun tucked into my waistband. The car didn’t scream mafia, but maybe it was just a clever disguise.
The door to the Jaguar opened and out slipped Anna.
Let’s-fuck-and-ruin-Hallie-Thorne-Anna.
The good news was that Hallie’s life wasn’t in danger.
The bad news was that mine was, if Hallie ever came face-to-face with the woman.
Anna tossed her bombshell hair to one shoulder, leaning over to kiss both my cheeks.
“Ransom, darling, I’ve missed you.”
“Can’t say the feeling’s mutual.” I pulled away, giving her a once-over. What was she doing here?
“I thought you’d call me.” She gave me a seductive smile.
“Here. Get yourself some better instincts.” I pulled my wallet, tugging out a fifty-dollar bill.