Page 22 of Black Sheep
“Serve drinks and try to be invisible, if that’s even a possibility now. Cannon’s the only one who can clean up the mess you’ve made, and even then, it’s dicey. Oncehesees something he wants, there’s pretty much nothing that can stop him from getting it.”
She checks her phone again before shaking her head.
There’s no questionheis the one we’re not supposed to talk about.
“I’m not interested in old men. Isn’t it that easy?” I’m partly being honest and partly playing a role that says I don’t know who Dominic Casso is and how dangerous he can be.
“You’re a fucking idiot.” Tanya shakes her head, making her light brown hair spill around her shoulders. “I didn’t think it was possible for someone to be this dumb.”
The elevator stops, and she tenses as the doors open. The garage is empty, but for the scent of exhaust, oil, and rubber.
“He should be here any minute. Probably got caught at a light,” she says as she glances from side to side.
“Who?” I ask her, and this time the question is genuine.
“Your ride home. He’ll walk you up to the door and make sure you get inside okay. Cannon does it for us whenever we need it, so don’t feel special or anything.”
Even though her comment is meant as a slap, I can’t help but feel a warm pang in my chest that he makes sure his employees are safe. That is,ifI’m still an employee after tonight.
“I didn’t try to do anything—”
Tanya cuts off my protests. “You don’t have totry. That’s your problem. You’re just like Teal. Men see you, and then they’re tripping over their dicks to smell your hair and asking if they can buy you things.”
I jerk my head back at the scowl on her face. More than anything, I feel like she just opened a window for me to learn more information that could possibly be helpful to piece together what the hell is going on here.
“Who’s Teal?”
Tanya coughs, or maybe she’s choking? “Like you don’t know.”
“I don’t have any idea,” I tell her as a black Escalade pulls up.
“Whatever. Get in the car. Wait for a text in the morning before you come in. Cannon might want you to take the day off to let things cool down, if he doesn’t fire you. Try to stay out of trouble. Actually, don’t even leave your apartment. It’s safer.”
Something in her voice transcends the catty, bitchy attitude, and I think it’s concern.
“Ms. Tanya, it’s a pleasure to see you,” the driver of the SUV says as he slides out of the driver’s seat and opens the back door.
“Likewise, Warren. Take care of her. Boss’s orders.”
“I always do.”
“Thanks.”
Tanya turns to walk away, but I reach out to grab her wrist.
“Hey. Whatever I did, I didn’t mean to. Thanks for helping me.”
She stares down at my hand on her arm and slowly drags her gaze to mine. “We’re not friends. I don’t like you, and don’t ever touch me. Got it?”
I drop my hand and sigh. “Thanks again, Tanya. You’re as delightful as ever.”
* * *
Once safely inside my apartment,I lock it up tight with the dead bolt, secondary bolt, and chain before setting the security system.
My undercover persona wouldn’t have the cash to live somewhere with a doorman, so I’m left hoping that I’ll be secure enough with the measures I’ve put in place—a small wireless camera hidden in the entryway so I can see everyone who’s coming and going, as well as one in the elevator lobby and another outside my door. Despite what Cannon and Tanya think of me, I’m not stupid. Not even close.
But tonight ...fuck. I have no idea what happened. The last thing I wanted to do was attract Dominic Casso’s attention like this. His interest could jeopardize my entire investigation, and I won’t give up until justice is served and every single person who had a hand in my father’s death is behind bars.
