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But he’s already gone.
That doesn’t surprise me. Look what happens when I get my hopes up. He just walks away.
That’s what would happen if I let him get close to Jasmine. He’d fade out and leave me to pick up the pieces.
My heart sinks as I realize what’s going on. He’s already taken the box. If he knows how to open the vault, he’s probably taken the contents for himself. What’s going on now? Maybe guilt. Perhaps he wants one more fuck out of me. Whatever it is, I can’t get the truth without speaking to him and I can’t do that. He’s disappeared.
I head into the store and open up the boxes that have been delivered into the storeroom. The smell of new books normally relaxes me but not today.
I do my best not to think about it all. When I do I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I can’t help thinking I’ve been taken for a fool. I get the feeling he’s never coming back. He took one look at my life and decided it wasn’t for him. He’s happier in the city surrounded by wealth. I doubt he could ever understand how I think about the world. I don’t need millions, just enough to get by and a happy family at the end of each day. I guess my family will just be a little smaller than I was expecting.
The bell above the door rings, and I look up. It’s Bobby Sandwell, and he’s looking pale as a wax candle. “I’m sorry,” he says before I can open my mouth. “I had no idea who you knew. Any loan you want, any amount, you come see me, and I’ll make it happen.” His hands are shaking as he talks.
“What changed?” I ask him.
He glances around him before whispering. “Angelo Genovese,” he says. “The psycho. The angel of death. I didn’t know you were connected to him. You should have said. I’d have done whatever you wanted.”
“I’m not connected to Angelo.”
“That’s not what he told my father. He said you two were a thing.”
“Did he now?”
“I’m sorry, Natalie, okay. Please, don’t let him kill me.”
“He’s not going to kill you, Bobby, all right. Just calm down.”
He looks on the verge of tears. “The bank’s always open,” he says, crossing back to the door. “I swear, if I’d known, I’d never have turned you down for that loan.” He goes out, wiping his eyes as he does.
That’s the reaction people seem to get when Angelo’s around. Fear.
Did he kill mom? I don’t think he did, but he’s clearly killed other people. Is that the kind of man I want around my daughter?
Cara doesn’t show up at all which is unusual. I go through to hers at lunchtime and find her hard at work in her kitchen. “How’s it going?” I ask.
“Business is picking up,” she replies, wiping her brow with her sleeve. “We’re rammed with city folk. Not one of them complaining about getting a fine from the sheriff.”
“That’s good.”
“It’s great but if it gets any busier, I’m going to have to hire an assistant. I can only do so much!”
“It’s dead next door if you want a hand for a while.”
“I’ll be all right for today, but I might take you up on that next week if it stays like this. I’m getting a lull now, but I’ve been busy all morning.”
“Wish I was. I’m guessing more people want cupcakes than books.”
“You can’t eat books.”
“Can’t lose yourself in a cupcake.”
“Can if it’s big enough.”
I laugh, snatching a donut from the counter as I head off.
“I saw that,” she calls after me.
I cram it into my mouth, my cheeks puffed out as I go back next door. I go inside and crash straight into Angelo. He’s holding two cups of coffee and a couple of sandwiches. “You all right?” he asks, as I choke on my donut.
