Smiley(88)
“I know. We heard. That’s what I told Count after we watched the news earlier today. You looked happy but scared. I like the way that guy you’re with was so protective of you.”
“Today?”
“When the NSO took you shopping. It was all over the news.”
Vanni’s gaze drifted to the TV on the dresser. She was tempted to turn it on to see if they were playing the footage but she resisted. “It turned kind of hairy when all those people showed up but I’m fine. Really.”
“What kind of threat are you looking at from the Woods Church? Do they want revenge because you dumped Carl? I remember that one religious group who tried to burn a woman alive in front of the gates of the NSO for sleeping with a New Species.” Mia’s voice quavered. “Are they going to want to kill you?”
“Maybe. They are crazy, Mia. I’m safe here though.”
“Thank god. Don’t leave there.”
“I won’t.”
“This Smiley guy is treating you well? He looked pretty concerned today.”
“Yes. He’s really sweet and wonderful.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Count is fit to be tied but don’t let him get to you. You know how our brother is. It’s his twisted and controlling way to be a big asshole when he’s worried. He had a complex as a kid and now he has a badge so he thinks he knows everything. I don’t have to cook or clean so I’m looking at this like a free vacation with a lot of security guards. I just wish they hadn’t given us connecting suites because two more days of listening to our brother and I’m going to consider tossing Count out a window to see if he turns into a bat and can fly.”
Vanni chuckled. It was an old joke. “Thanks, Mia. I was afraid you’d be mad at me too.”
“I’m just worried. You do what your security team says. They seem to know their stuff. They had us packed and hustled out of our homes in short order and put us in the penthouse suites of this hotel. We have the entire top floor so we’re safe.”
“I was worried.”
“We’re more worried about you. You aren’t exactly tough.”
“I’m not a wimp.” She resented the implication.
“No, you’re not, sweetie. You’re just a bit sheltered and we’ve always been protective of you.”
“I’m no longer a child and I’ve told you to stop. I appreciate that you try, at least.”
“I need to go. Count, that rat bastard, blabbed to my husband. They are arguing outside the door. I don’t want them to come to blows.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Mia suddenly yelled, “Knock it off!”
The call disconnected and Vanni replaced the receiver in the cradle, grateful she wasn’t staying at the hotel with her family. Her siblings’ families living together sounded like a nightmare. They could never be under the same roof for more than a few hours without it turning into pandemonium.
Vanni inched off the bed and cursed. She needed a massage and muscle relaxers. She settled on going to the kitchen for a soda instead since the first two were not viable options. The bags from their shopping expedition were on the counter. She popped open the can and took a sip, deciding to get dressed. Moving around might help ease some of her soreness before Smiley returned.
She also remembered she needed to make some calls. Gregory Woods still had her wallet and all her credit cards. She needed to cancel them but she didn’t want to go against Justice North’s orders about the phone restrictions. She’d asked Smiley and he’d said it would be fine. Canceling and replacing everything would be a hassle.
Smiley hated that everyone in the room had overheard Vanni’s conversation with her sister and brother. The meeting had come to a halt when they’d received word that a phone call had come in for her. It had been patched through Justice’s phone, their side muted. He’d disliked her brother instantly after he’d torn into Vanni. When the phone call ended, he stood.
“I’m going to check on her.”
Justice frowned. “She sounded fine. We’re not done.”
“I don’t know why everyone had to listen in on her conversation.” It wasn’t the first time Smiley had protested.
“I’m sorry about that.” Justice frowned. “But we needed to know what was said. We needed to know if her family is unhappy about her being here and if they resent being held in a hotel. They have a history with Carl Woods and he could use that association to taint their view of us by urging your female to leave Homeland.”
Smiley knew he was right. “That didn’t happen. Her sister told her to stay here where she’s safe.”