Guilty Pleasures (17 page)

“Bass … I don't know.…”

“If you have a better suggestion, I'd love to hear it.”

She had none. “Who's going to tell them
Not me,” she added quickly.

The corner of his mouth turned up in a sardonic grin. “Guess that leaves me.”

“Yeah, I guess it does.”

*   *   *

To say that the staff was disgruntled was a mild understatement, Eva thought as she drove home from work. Sebastian's new work plan was to go into effect the following day, which meant that everyone was in at their same time of eight but would end the day at two. All that might work out in her favor. No one besides her and Sebastian had keys. Once the employees were gone for the day, she could simply come back and remove the boxes. In the morning she'd let Tara know that she was planning on returning them after all.

She turned onto her street. Today's bullets had been dodged, but she was sure there were more where those came from.

 

12

The next day, Lenora sat next to Stan as she placed the call. It rang on the other end several times before the woman who'd set up her husband answered the phone.

Lenora had gone over every detail of information she'd been able to gather on Suarez and his secret trip into the United States. The shipment wasn't his real agenda, only a small part of it, but it was the only part that interested her. According to everything she'd uncovered, Suarez was coming to the States to settle a personal score with a family member who'd absconded to the U.S. several months ago. That was his business. When she got what she wanted, she'd put in a well-placed call and have Suarez picked up. In the meantime, she had to stay focused.

“I will meet you and your husband at the designated drop-off point in Miami. No fuckups.”

“How do we know that this isn't a setup
” Eva asked.

“You don't. But you also have a choice. Do what I tell you to do and walk away, or try to get creative and I can have an agent at your door in five minutes. It's up to you.”

“We'll be there.”

“That's better. You have the phones that I sent to you
”

“Yes.”

“Good. Make sure you have them on at all times. You never know when I may decide to check in. If you don't answer…” She chuckled. “Well, we don't want to think about that now, do we
” She paused. “Are we clear about everything
”

“Crystal,” Eva said from between her teeth.

“Excellent. Oh, and by the way, you could really stand to lose a few pounds. Your rear end doesn't photograph very well.”

Click.

Eva's neck snapped back. “Bitch!” She slammed down the phone just as Jake walked through the door.

“Who
” he asked, hanging his jacket on the coatrack.

“Lenora Ingram,” she said, seething with outrage.

“We know that already. What did she do now
”

Eva planted her hands on her hips and rocked from side to side as she spoke. “She indicated that my ass was fat and didn't photograph well.”

Jake fought to keep from laughing. He slowly approached. “What does she know about fat asses anyway
” He kissed her cheek and patted her behind. “Probably jealous.”

Eva gave him a hard shove.

He snickered. “What did she really want
”

“Wanted to make sure we are going to be where we're supposed to be to make the drop-off.”

He crossed the room, plopped down on the couch, and let out a long sigh. “I'll be glad when this is over.”

Eva dropped down next to him. “Yeah, so will I. The little bitch is going to get what she deserves.”

Jake grinned and draped his arm around her shoulder. “She's going to wish she would have simply paid us the money.”

“I know that's right.” She turned to Jake. “What time are Rita and Jinx coming tonight
”

“I told them to get here around seven. How'd you make out with the boxes
”