Page 119 of Cryptic Curse

“Did you call Vinnie?”Hawk asks out of the blue.

“What?”

“To let him know you won’t be home tonight.”

“Oh, God…” I shake my head.“You’d better take me home, Hawk.I can’t tell Vinnie I’m staying with you.”

He narrows his eyes.“You’re a grown woman, Daniela.”

“I know.But I haven’t told him about the other gifts.”

He raises an eyebrow.“You haven’t?”

“No.I didn’t want to worry him.I didn’t want to be more trouble for him, you know?”

Hawks nods.“I understand.I’ll call him.”

“Hawk, no.”

“I’ll just say I was in Austin, and I saw you at the courthouse, and… Fuck it all, Daniela.I’m a grown man too.I’m not going to lie to my sister’s fiancé.”

I nod.He’s right.I can’t put him in that position.“I’ll call him.”

I dread it as I dial Vinnie’s cell.

I get voicemail.

Crap.

“This is Vincent Gallo, Jr.I’m unavailable at the moment.Please leave a detailed message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.If you need immediate assistance, please contact my executive assistant, Bertie Levine.”

I gulp.“Hey, Vinnie, it’s me.Daniela.I’m on my way to Summer Creek.Hawk and I… Well, we… Oh, just call me.I’m fine.”

Then I end the call.

“Voicemail?”he says.

“Yeah.I guess I should call Raven.”I squeeze my eyes shut, rub at my temples.“Someone ought to know what’s going on, and I didn’t want to say it in a message.That’s the kind of information you need to hear in person.”

Hawk simply nods.

I dial Raven.

“Hello,” she says.

“Raven, it’s Daniela.”

“Oh!I didn’t even look.”She pauses.“Where are you?I thought you’d be home by now.”

“I told Vinnie I’d stay in Austin and do some shopping.”

“Did you find anything good?”

“What?”

“Shopping.Did you find anything good?”

“Oh.No, I didn’t.I’m on my way to…”Fuck, Daniela.Just say it.“I’m on my way to Summer Creek with Hawk.”