“What’s up? Does Chris need my help?” Since I didn’t want to tell him I’d been to the police department, I focused on his thoughts about Chris. Uncle Joey didn’t like that I helped the police, so the less he knew, the better for me.
He narrowed his eyes, since I’d picked that up from his mind. Knowing I heard his thoughts was like a two-edged sword. It was useful when he wanted me to know something without actually having to say it, but there were times he didn’t like it.
But… while it irritated him, he had to remember that it came with the territory, and he shouldn’t get too upset with me. In New York, he’d done a great job of blocking his thoughts, but it wasn’t something he needed to do all the time.
Ramos had no idea what we were talking about. It didn’t bother him too much, but he was thinking that I should at least try not to blurt out everything I picked up.
He was right, but I was tired of being so careful all the time. Uncle Joey and Ramos knew my secret, and it was such a relief to let it all out. I glanced at Ramos. “Don’t worry, he’s okay that I listen to his mind.” I glanced at Uncle Joey. “Well, most of the time you are… right?”
Uncle Joey snorted, then waved it off. “I’m sure I can manage. In fact, now that you’re here…” he glanced at Ramos. “What do you think? You want her to go with you? It might make things easier.”
“Yeah, it would, but only if she wants to.”
“I’m right here.”
Uncle Joey chuckled. “I’ve asked Ramos to run an errand for me. One of my tenants is behind on his payments. His excuses don’t make a lot of sense, so I’m sending Ramos to sort it out. You know how I hate being taken advantage of. So if you go, it would help me out. What do you say?”
I turned to Ramos. “You taking the Harley?” At his nod, I smiled. “I’m in.” They already knew riding on the back of the motorcycle with Ramos was a deal I couldn’t resist.
“All right, let’s go.”
Before I stood to leave, I flashed Uncle Joey a big smile. He just shook his head, but I picked up his underlying satisfaction that his offer to accompany Ramos had made me happy. It was the least he could do after everything I’d been through in New York. Plus, as much as he didn’t like the whole flirty thing going on between us, he wasn’t worried that someone would try to kill me if Ramos was there.
I caught that last part as I walked into the hallway, and my heart swelled that he cared. Then I had a moment of fear that he’d just jinxed me, and now something bad was going to happen. With a shake of my head, I pushed that worry away. It was probably just a product of the jitters I’d been experiencing lately, and nothing like a premonition. Besides, I didn’t have premonitions.
While we rode in the elevator to the parking garage, I told Ramos about Coco. “I can’t believe we have a dog now.”
“I think it’s great, especially if he’s as well-trained as you say. It’s an extra layer of protection for you and your family.”
“You’re right. I didn’t even think about that.” Not too long ago, an escaped prisoner had come to my house looking for me. He had a gun and had threatened my kids. Wow. The pluses of getting a dog like Coco were really adding up, and some of the constant stress I felt seemed to drift away.
Ramos opened the trunk of his car and got out my helmet. After slipping it on, I waited until he was on the bike before I climbed on behind him. With anticipation sending butterflies through my stomach, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and off we flew. I wasn’t sure of our destination, but that hardly mattered. I just held on and enjoyed the ride.
It ended all too soon at the strip mall a few blocks away. I recognized it immediately. There were several shops, including a jewelry store I’d visited quite a few times. It had originally belonged to a man named Hodges, but he’d had the misfortune of trying to double-cross Uncle Joey. Now he was dead, and the new owners were much better tenants. Were we here to talk to them?
Ramos found an empty parking spot in front of the health-and-nutrition store next door to the jewelers, explaining we were here to talk to the health store manager. After clipping our helmets to the bike, I followed him inside. Three aisles of shelves in the middle of the store were filled with all kinds of vitamins, protein bars and protein supplements, along with products for weight management.
A man in a tight shirt that showed off his muscles stood at the back counter. He had the look of a body-builder-surfer-dude with his blond hair and tanned skin. He hurried to greet us, then slowed when he recognized Ramos.
“Hello Aaron,” Ramos said.
“What are you doing here?” Aaron asked, backing up. “I explained everything to Manetto.”
Ramos stalked toward him, shaking his head. “That’s the problem. You’re not making a lot of sense, so he sent me to clear things up.” Aaron backed up against the counter and stopped with nowhere to go. Ramos stepped into his personal space and spoke in a low voice. “Manetto’s always been clear about what you owe him, and you’re late.”
Aaron swallowed. “But I thought—”
Ramos held up his hand, cutting him off. “Nobody asked what you thought. Do you have the money or not?”
He was thinking that he had the money, but, after all the risks he took, it just wasn’t fair. Still, having Ramos breathing down his
