Page 64 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

While I was waiting for Crow, I figured I’d give Sarah one more call. It went straight to voicemail again. My jaw tightened as I lowered the phone. I had been calling her for over a week. I’d even gone by her office a few days ago, only for the receptionist to tell me Sarah wasn’t available. That bullshit wasn’t sitting right with me. I let out a slow breath and waited for the beep.

“Sarah, this is Rebel. I’ve been calling your ass for over a week, and now you’re dodging me. I came by your office, and nobody can seem to tell me where the hell you are. I don’t know what’s going on, but you better call me back... today. If you don’t, I’m gonna start showing up everywhere until I find you. And trust me... neither one of us wants it to come to that.”

I ended the call and shoved my phone into my pocket. I hadn’t even made it to the door before my phone rang. It was Sarah.

I answered on the first ring. “Well, look who finally decided to call me back.”

“Hey, Rebel,” Sarah said casually. “Sorry I’ve been so hard to reach. Things have just been hectic.”

“Hectic?” I laughed. “I’ve been calling you for over a week.”

“I know. I saw your calls.”

“So, you saw my calls and decided to ignore every last one?”

“It wasn’t like that. I’ve been out of town handling a few things.”

“I even came by your office.”

“Yeah, I know. I wasn’t there.”

I stopped in my tracks. “Good. Then let’s meet tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” she asked with a light chuckle. “Rebel, I’m still out of town.”

“I don’t give a fuck if you’re in another country. Catch a flight.”

“I’ll be back in a few days. We can schedule something then.”

“No.” My voice hardened. “Tomorrow.”

“Rebel, there’s really no reason to rush. Your portfolio is doing great.”

“Then proving it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“It’s fine. I promise.”

“I didn’t ask for a promise. I asked for a meeting.”

She sighed. “I really can’t tomorrow.”

I smiled. “I suggest you make time.”

“I suggest you make time before your mama and daddy are standing over a closed casket wondering why they never got the chance to say goodbye.”

The line went dead silent.

I wasn’t finished. “And let me make something crystal clear. If one fucking dollar is missing from my portfolio, the least of your problems will be the police. They’ll be trying to identify whatever’s left of you,” I paused. “Tomorrow. Face-to-face. Bring every statement, every document, every answer I’ve been asking for.”

When I opened the door, Crow stood there with that crooked grin I loved so much. Instead of a bouquet of flowers, he held a brand-new pair of limited-edition black-and-gold Jordans in one hand and a motorcycle helmet in the other.

“Flowers die,” he said with a shrug. “I’d rather buy you some shit you’ll actually use.”

I looked down at the sneakers before glancing back up at him. A smile tugged at my lips despite my best efforts to fight it.

“You bought me Jordans?”

“Hell yeah. You ain’t one of them women that’s finna put flowers in a vase and stare at ‘em. I’d rather see you lacing these up while talking shit to me.”