Page 67 of Because I Need You
“Shit.” Giovanni stood up. “I’ll be right back. Emergency.”
I nodded, face still in my hands. I waited until I heard the door close behind me before lowering them and looking at Dave. “What is this?”
“I never asked for details. I just know the envelopes are numbers, for the checklist.”
“The checklist. Right.” I opened the briefcase back up to look for it.
There were a series of numbers and two letters on them that matched the numbers on the envelopes. State acronyms? I set it back in there and shut it again. Painting houses, my ass, though, based on Giovanni’s explanation, I had to assume my father painted houses up and down the United States. I shivered at the thought. There were more contents in the briefcase that I knew I wouldn’t bother to look at today. This was enough.
“I just want to go home,” I whispered, finally.
The more I thought about it, though, the more I wondered what the hell I was even going back to. I wouldn’t be living with William anymore. I could move back to the Queens house, but I hated the Queens house. The Queens house was picture-perfect, but the memories were dark. I wouldn’t go back there. I’d inherited enough money to move, that was for damn sure, if I decided I’d use it. Blood money. That was what it was. Blood money, blood diamonds, and bloody wedding bands. I hadn’t noticed I’d started crying until Dave shoved a box of tissues at me. I thanked him and patted my face.
“I’m sorry.” I let out a laugh, wiping my tears. “It seems like I only cry in your office.”
“Maybe you’re comfortable here.” He offered a small smile, setting his hand over mine. “If you need someone, if you’re in trouble or you know, want to get away from people, or someone, you can call me. I don’t expect you to trust me, a complete stranger, but I hope you trust me enough to do that.”
“Thank you for saying that.” I swallowed, nodding. He seemed genuinely kind, but unless I needed to get out of jail, I had no use for a lawyer. He kept his hand on mine as I finished wiping my face.
“Are we done here?” Giovanni’s voice boomed so loudly behind me, that I nearly jumped out of my seat.
Dave took his hand back. I did as well, setting the box of tissues down.
“I think we are. Right?” I looked at Dave, who smiled. I stood up and grabbed the briefcase. Extending my hand for him to shake again. His was almost touching mine when he dropped it and turned around.
“Shit. Sorry. I almost forgot this.” He pulled up yet another manila envelope, this one was much bigger, though, and much fatter than the rest. He handed it to me and set a paper on the table. “I also need your signature.” He chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m glad I caught it, otherwise, you’d be making another trip here tomorrow.”
Giovanni grunted something behind me. I signed both papers and set the pen down.
“Now, we’re officially done.” Dave smiled wide.
We shook hands. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He lowered his hand and looked at me. “I mean it, Isabel. Please use my number. Call me.”
I nodded a couple of times, turned around with the suitcase and envelope and nearly ran into Giovanni. He didn’t shake Dave’s hand this time. Didn’t even say goodbye as we walked out of the conference room and into the hall. A little rude, but I wasn’t going to point that out. I had things in my hand that I didn’t know what to make of. The irony was that none of it was heavy. It was easy enough for me to carry both things in my right hand. I hadn’t even opened the envelope, and I didn’t know if I wanted to do it today. This was a lot as it was. When the elevator arrived, Giovanni shot Joey and Petra a look. It looked like a warning. Whatever it was, made them take a step back. I frowned as the elevator doors closed between us and them. I turned to Giovanni just as he started pushing every single button on the elevator from this floor to the parking garage.
“What are you—”
“’Please use my number? Call me?’” he asked, mimicking Dave’s voice. “What was that about?”
My heart skipped a beat as I turned to face him, a shiver rolling through me when I saw the look on his face. Dangerous, pissed off, and definitely jealous. I swallowed. The elevator stopped on the next floor, opened, he pushed the button, it shut, kept moving. He was still waiting, so I reminded myself to breathe and answer.
“He was just saying that if I was ever in trouble to call him,” I said, looking at the next floor the elevator doors opened at, shut, kept going. “You know how lawyers are.”
