“If that happens, Bruno, I’ll bring the shovel and do it myself.” I bite the inside of my cheek. I’m really going to go to hell and ask the devil to help me. I just hope it pays off.
Bang!
The door flies open and smacks the wall with a sharp crack.
Startled, we all look up to see Lucia burst into the room.
Chapter three
Wild curls, hurricane eyes, and flushed cheeks make up my best friend. She stands before us, her chest heaving beneath a leather jacket as her gaze fixes on me.
“Cipi!” She gasps, rushing to my side.
I don’t know whether to hug her or slap her.
Lucia sits on the edge of the bed and grabs my hand. “Thank God, you’re okay! I came as soon as I heard.”
Her fingers are cold, and her appearance is disheveled. I may be going down to hell to ask the devil for a favor, but my best friend looks like she’s already gone.
“I can’t believe this happened!” She hugs me tight, her caramel-highlighted waves brush against my arms.
She pulls back and takes in our speechless faces. Confusion fills her espresso-colored eyes. “Why are you all looking at me like that? What’s wrong?”
“Lucia, where the fuck have you been?” Bruno throws up his hands in exasperation. “The guards have been scouring the city looking for you!”
Lucia looks surprised. “I was at the warehouse, waiting for the shipment. But the shipment didn’t come.”
“That’s because it was delivered today like we originally stated,” Bruno yells.
“Another delivery came instead,” Lucia snaps.
“Still, on my birthday, Luc,” I cry. “You were supposed to be at the party with me.”
She turns to me. “You’re the one who told me to go.”
“What? No, I didn’t. I called you multiple times and you didn’t answer. Then I texted and told you to get your ass to my party,” I huff.
Lucia presses her red lips together as she pulls two phones out of her pocket. “You texted me on the burner. Right here.” She holds the screen to my face.
I blink as words come into focus.
Lucia, shipment is arriving earlier than expected. Take care of it, then come to the party.
Sure enough, there is my name in the sender box and a time stamp of an hour before the party started.
“I didn’t send that,” I protest. “I know that’s my burner number, but that’s not my message. How did it get on your phone?”
Salvatore walks over and stares at the screen. “Maybe someone took your burner when you were getting ready for the party and sent the message.” He studies the flip phone. “Or it could be an SMS spoofing job. I’ll have to check with A.J. in tech.”
“You know it could only have been a request from you that would make me late to your party,” Lucia whispers. “I wouldn’t miss your party for the world.”
“I know,” I admit. “I was so stupid to think you blew me off. But what would ever make you think that message was from me? I don’t talk like that.”
Lucia shrugs. “Well it was your number so I assumed it was you. Plus, there was a lot going on. I was running around for the party so I didn’t pay close attention.”
I shift my gaze to Bruno and Salvatore. “Do you mind if I talk to Lucia privately before everyone comes back, unless there is more we have to discuss?”
Salvatore nods. “No, we’re good, Farfalla, we’ll head back to the compound and try to get more answers to this mystery.”
