Page 75 of The Quiet After The Fall

“What we need to do is call my lawyers. All this with⁠—”

Someone knocks, three quick raps, and a voice follows before either of us can move.

I slash my hand across my throat, mouthing the word no, but she shoves past me and beats me to the door.

“Sawyer,” I mutter. “Don’t⁠—”

She slides the chain, and opens the door, revealing a tall woman with dark curly hair. She’s holding a bottle of wine and a big bag of Jolly Ranchers, grinning ear to ear.

“I come bearing gifts!”

Sawyer starts thanking her, and they hug as she steps inside. The woman glances past Sawyer, noticing me, and her brow raises. “This must be who you were arguing with.”

“Oh,” Sawyer says. “You heard all that?”

She smirks. “Guilty. I’m a notorious eavesdropper. My sister says it’s a problem but honestly, I’ve helped a lot of people out of shitty situations from sticking my nose in other people’s business.”

“Who are you?” I ask, wrapping my arms around my chest.

She drops the wine and candy on the coffee table and holds her hand out. “I’m Gia, the person who’s about to fix your mess.”

“Sawyer, what is she talking about?” I ask before shaking her hand.

“I’m not sure. Gia, care to elaborate?”

Gia goes into the kitchen like she owns the place, opening cabinets until she finds the glasses. Then she comes back into the living room, three glasses in hand, and pours wine into each one, taking a long sip while my patience runs thin.

“That’s better,” Gia says, sitting on the couch, and tucking her legs under her. “I didn’t catch it all, but I did hear that Sawyer needs a place to stay. Somewhere safe, where a scary danger person can’t find her.”

“You heard all that?” I ask. “Did you hear who’s looking for her?”

She shakes her head. “No, and as nosy as I am, I’d rather not. You don’t grow up in the city without hearing certain names whispered around. If it’s who I think it is, then I know you’re both fucked.”

Sawyer practically falls onto the couch beside her, picking up one of the wine glasses and downing half in one go.

“So what’s this about you fixing our mess?”

“You mean your mess,” Sawyer says, glaring at me.

“My mess,” I say. “You have somewhere Sawyer can stay?”

“Depends,” Gia says, turning toward Sawyer. “How fond of creepy portrait paintings and moth ball smell are you?”

Sawyer tilts her head while I clench my fists, trying to keep my cool.

“Miriam has a guest house on her property. No one ever uses it, at least not since I’ve been working for her. It’s just a studio, but I can sneak you in no problem.”

“Who’s Miriam?” I ask.

“My employer. And calm down, lover boy, you’re about to burst a blood vessel. Miriam’s older than dirt and her estate is secluded. Sawyer will be safe.”

My shoulders drop. “Thank you.”

“Are you sure?” Sawyer asks. “I don’t want you to get in trouble. I know how much you need your job.”

She shoulder bumps Sawyer, and a kernel of jealousy settles in my gut at their closeness. When did they meet? Where is she from? I’ll need to learn more before I can fully trust her.

“If I was worried, I wouldn’t have offered.” She finishes the wine in her glass. “But I don’t know about coming and going. During the day, she has landscapers and a cook who’s in and out of the main house. Sometimes her kids show up on the weekends, but they were just here so it might be a few weeks before they’re back.”