Page 34 of Bronx

“No one is calling your phone back to back like that? You sure it’s not an emergency?”

“It’s not.”

“Maybe you should check.”

Bronx swipes the bag of clothes off of the counter and heads for the door. I follow behind him, thanking Kelly on our way out for her assistance. Once we’re back in the truck, Bronx doesn’t start the ignition, but instead quietly stares at me as if he’s waiting for something.

“What?” I ask, defensively.

“The phone. I can still hear it ringing in your bag.”

I’m not exactly sure why I’m giving this control freak any decision power except for the fact that he’s the only person I can depend on to help me find Lev and I need him right now, so reluctantly, I comply.

I feel a little stupid once I pull out my cell and read who the last two few messages are from. They’re not from Ray as I feared, but from Ruby.

Ruby: Call me now

Ruby: Right now!

“It’s Ruby,” I say out loud.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know. Hold on.”

I call Ruby’s phone and when she answers on the first ring; I hear a fear in her voice that I’ve never heard before.

“Karma?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s your ex,” she says in a grim voice.

Then my stomach feels as if it drops to my feet.

What has Ray done now?

11

Karma

“What’s happening?” I ask tentatively.

“The dude is outside my house, pacing across the yard, and he’s either having a chat with God or he’s talking to himself. I’m no mental health professional, but I think he’s losing his shit.”

“I’m so sorry, Ruby,” I apologize profusely. “Is Kim home too?”

“Yeah, and she’s pissed. She called the police, but I really don’t think they’re coming. If your house isn’t on fire or you didn’t hear gunshots, the police don’t come quickly in this neighborhood. I think they hate domestic calls, especially if you tell them it’s a mental health issue.”

I’m mortified.

Never in a million years did I imagine I would bring this kind of drama to Ruby’s doorstep, or anyone’s doorstep, for that matter. I didn’t even realize that Ray knew where Ruby lived. If anything, I thought he’d go by the Minute Maids main office. But track me down like this? I didn’t think he even cared enough to try. This isn’t the first time I’ve caught him cheating on me.

“I should come there and talk to him.”

“What’s up?” Bronx interrupts.

“There’s a problem at Ruby’s,” I whisper.