“She’s settling in.”
“And you’re keeping an eye on her. I think that’s a good idea, considering.” Damon tapped his fingers on the desk, watching Ari as she worked. “She doesn’t suspect you in her sister’s disappearance?”
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Hell no. I’m a charming guy and she likes me.”
“From the videos I’ve seen, I’d say she likes you a lot.” Damon tipped his head back and laughed aloud.
He’d obviously seen the kiss. Probably both of them, Quinn thought, and his skin crawled at the notion of Ari being watched.
“I don’t want to find her going through my books. Her sister came too damn close. I don’t intend a repeat performance.” Damon’s voice sobered. “Keep her busy,” he ordered.
“Sure thing. It’s not like being with her is a hardship,” Quinn joked.
Damon inclined his head. “Good. Do whatever you have to. Even at the expense of being in the hotel. If I know she’s occupied and in your capable hands, I have no problem covering for you here.”
Quinn forced a nod. “You got it, boss.” He didn’t ask what these new orders meant for Damon’s trip next weekend. Whether Quinn would still be in charge.
Seven days from now was a long way off. He had another seven days to live out of a hotel, on edge, and undercover. He had seven more days of keeping Ariana as close as his shadow.
CHAPTER SIX
Ready to face a new day, Ariana walked into the kitchen. She had a full agenda, including filling her parents in on her plans to stay here for awhile, though as soon as her sister came home safe, Ari would be on her way. In the meantime, she was adapting to living with her family again. The carafe in the coffeemaker was full, but having learned her lesson, she sniffed before pouring herself a steaming hot cup.
She sat down at the table and immediately saw a note propped on the centerpiece. Her aunt and uncle had gone out for the day, her father was at the diner, and her mother, the note said, was outside gardening. Without warning, memories assaulted her. Of the hectic breakfasts before the rush to school, when Ari would choose yogurt and Zoe would pick Froot Loops. Their differences were apparent even in such a trivial decision, she thought, smiling at the memory.
The peace and quiet she felt now was an unusual phenomenon, one that emphasized Zoe’s absence. But this being her parents’ home, of course it didn’t last. Before Ariana could settle in, she heard the sound of voices and the subsequent slam of the front door.
“Ari?” her mother called out.
“In the kitchen.” Ariana cupped her hands around her coffee mug and waited.
“You have company,” Elena’s voice came closer. “But you were in the shower so I had your friend wait with me.” She walked into the room, holding hands with Spank on one side and, to Ariana’s shock, the young girl she’d met yesterday on the other.
Ariana jumped up from her seat. “What are you doing here?” She started toward the girl. “Better yet, how did you know where to find me?”
Her mother prodded Sam into one of the kitchen chairs. “Relax, Ari. Let her have a drink first.” As Elena got busy pouring Sam a glass of juice, she continued to speak. “She’s wonderful company—”
“Sam, you need to tell me what’s going on.”
Elena placed the glass in Sam’s hands, then gestured toward Ariana. “Go on,” she prodded the girl. “Tell her the truth.” Apparently her mother had formed a fast bond with Sam if she’d already uncovered answers.
The teen met Ariana’s gaze briefly, guilt etching her features as her eyes darted away. “I got your address from here.” She pulled Ariana’s day planner from the plastic bag she was carrying.
“You took this?” Ariana grabbed the leather-bound planner, which also acted as her wallet, out of Sam’s hands.
Sam nodded. “Yesterday, when you were arguing with Quinn. I bumped into you and snagged it.”
“See? That wasn’t so hard.” Elena praised Sam’s truth-telling. “But stealing from people is wrong, young lady.” Elena stroked the girl’s long blonde hair at the same time she reprimanded her.
The con artist chiding the little thief. Ariana shook her head and wondered if her mother realized what a contradiction she presented. She bit down on the inside of her cheek and wondered what to do with the runaway teen.
While Sam stared at her hands, Elena walked over to Ariana and whispered in her ear. “Her technique must be good if you didn’t notice your wallet was missing,” Elena said in awe.
Oh, she’d noticed earlier this morning. She’d just assumed the planner had fallen out on the floor of the car, as often happened back home.
“But still, she’s too young to be doing such a thing,” Elena said softly.
Ariana agreed. She glanced at Sam. “You took my wallet but you came to return it. What gives?”
Sam shrugged. “I took it ’cause I liked you,” she said, mumbling, her voice filled with embarrassment.
A headache had begun to develop and Ariana pressed her fingers against her temples. “You wanted a reason to see me?” she guessed.
Sam nodded and once again the lump of emotion inside Ariana grew. Though she had problems with her relatives, at least she had a family of her own. “I bet people are looking for you.”
“They think I’m at school.”
“And won’t school call home when you don’t show up?”
Sam kicked at the kitchen tile with her sneakered feet. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Unfortunately it does. I’m going to have to call Quinn.” Ariana glanced at Sam. “Unless you want to call your foster parents yourself and let them know you’re okay?”
Sam shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to them. But Quinn’s gonna kill me.”
“Nothing that drastic, I’m sure.” Ariana stood and reached for the portable phone. Leaving her mother alone with the runaway, Ariana dialed Damon’s and asked to be connected with Quinn.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” Ariana left Sam and her mother in the kitchen and opened the door for Quinn.
As if she hadn’t even seen him last night, she devoured him with her gaze, surprised at how good it was to see him. He hadn’t shaved yet today and a darkened shadow covered his cheeks. His eyes were glassy and he looked tired. Like her, he probably hadn’t completely recovered from his late night. If this was how he looked in the morning, she definitely wouldn’t mind waking up beside him. Her body tingled at the seductive, heady thought.