Page 36 of Cru's Crush

“I thought she was staying with you.”

I shook my head. “Her parents haven’t seen her since everything went down in New York City, so I get why they’d want to now.”

Trevino studied me. “What went down?”

“Yeah, I forgot you didn’t know.”

After we went inside and he got us both a beer, I filled him in on the call she made to Beau and how we were able to locate her a few hours later.

“Think they were hoping for a ransom?” Trev asked.

“Since Daphne said she overheard them talking about her parents’ wealth, yeah.”

“Fucking sucks, man.”

“You got that right, Bit.”

“So where did you say she is now?” he asked.

“Her parents are staying in the guesthouse on the Norman vineyards. Roan joined us for dinner,” I added.

“I don’t like him.”

I laughed. “Me neither.”

I left shortly after that,unloaded the SUV, and took the bags to the bedroom. I planned to put it all away in the morning, but since I wasn’t tired, I started unloading them. I picked the biggest one up and saw a Fanny Wrappers bag inside it.

“Shit,” I muttered, setting it on the other side of the room, hoping I could forget it was there. I lasted less than fifteen minutes before walking over and pulling out the contents.

I unwrapped the tissue and saw a few of the bra and thong sets she’d purchased. It seemed like she’d gotten more than what I was looking at, so I hoped she had some others with her. Just in case she didn’t, I sent a text.

Missing something?

I was about to ask if you had anything extra.

Do you need any of it tonight?I asked.

Why?

I shrugged. Not that she could see me.I could bring it over.

I’d say yes, but that hardly seems fair, she responded.

If you need it, you need it. I don’t mind.

I watched the marching dots, waiting for her response. When it came over, I was surprised to see how short it was, considering the length of time it took her to write it.

I don’t.

What were you going to say instead, Daph?

I kept my eye on the screen but didn’t see anything indicating she was sending another message. I was about to set the phone down when it rang.

“Hey, Daphne. Everything okay?”

“I promised myself I wouldn’t do this.”

I sat down on the bed. “Do what?”