Page 147 of The Innocent

Imogene shook her head. The last thing she wanted was anything in her stomach. She’d had an onset of nausea back in the club, and it had yet to subside.

“I can eat.” Ghost stood and pulled out his wallet.

Penny scoffed, grabbing her pocketbook from the side table. “I got money, Ghost.”

He ignored her, pulling out a few bills. He held them up, smirking. “Take mine, and you get to keep yours.”

“True.” Penny said, snatching the cash from his hand. “Any special requests?”

“Parry’s.”

Imogene perked up at the familiar name. It didn’t go unnoticed.

Penny smiled. “Have you tried Parry’s?”

“A few times but” —she cleared her throat— “I’m currently banned for two weeks. I let the door slam behind me.”

Penny laughed, hooking her bag over her shoulder. “Don’t feel bad. The club was banned for life a few years ago.”

“Well then that settles it, right?” Ghost cocked a brow, which almost came off as pleading.

Penny winked. “Lucky I don’t despise you, Ghost.”

“Good thing I’m not Oak.”

She snorted. “If you were Oak, you’d be on the porch.” She walked out the door, leaving Imogene and Ghost alone.

She glanced over at him seated on the couch across from her. They hadn’t really spoken. Now that it was just the two of them, it would make for more awkward silence. He looked up at the ceiling then leaned across the couch, staring down the hall.

Ghost stood and waved to her. “Come on.”

Imogene was still in a daze, but found herself standing and following him to the staircase and up. Ghost walked into what looked like Penny’s bedroom. Imogene remained in the doorway. He walked to the window, looking out.

“Should we be in her bedroom?”

Ghost laughed and turned back, striding towards her. “Probably not but it doesn’t matter. The pitch is too steep anyway.”

The pitch? Was he referring to the porch roof? She didn’t bother asking and just followed him to the room at the opposite end of the house. It looked like an office set up. A large desk with a few monitors. It was neat and orderly, much like all of Penny’s house. He once again walked to the window, and from his profile she saw him grin.

“This will do.” He opened the window, removed the screen, and climbed out onto the roof.

Imogene was rooted near the door. Was he serious? Why would they go onto the roof?

“You coming?”

Um, okay.

She walked through the room and climbed out. She wasn’t afraid of heights, but she was aware of her mind and body being off. Balance was key when climbing onto a roof. She slowly scooted on her butt and noticed Ghost mirroring her. If she slipped, he’d block her fall. Or we’ll both fall.

“Almost there. You got it.”

She inched farther down the roof. “Are you sure we won’t fall off?”

Ghost snorted. “Jekyll will fucking kill me if anything happens to you, and since I’m not looking to meet my Maker anytime soon…you won’t fall. You got my word.”

After adjusting a few times and panicking once, Ghost lived up to his word. They were situated on the roof only a few inches apart.

Ghost dug into his pocket and pulled out a lighter and a joint. He took a long drag, released the smoke and offered it to her. But she shook her head.