Page 23 of Entangled With The Hellhound
And although he gave me a little detail, it was still a non-answer.All things electronicsounds like a hacker to me.
“Well, thanks for the company. I’m headed home, so you can go dotechnologystuff.” It’s my turn to wink, and he laughs.
“Yeah, I’ll follow you home and make sure the place is safe first.” I nod, and we start toward my apartment.
Although it was an easy day, and it was only early evening, I felt like I needed a nap. Maybe all of the extra stuff that’s going on around me is taking up my energy.
When we get to my complex, the gate is left open again. I roll my eyes because the reason I picked this apartment was that they bragged about the twenty-four-hour security and the gated entry.
I haven’t seen a guard on patrol since I moved in six months ago. And that damn gate has never been closed or locked. So now that I potentially have a need for the security, it pisses me off that it isn’t there, and I’m paying for it every month.
I make a mental note to ask the management about the security because if it doesn’t change, I’ll need to move. If they don’t find Raymond soon, there’s no way Stone can keep staying with me, or Wire can keep following me around.
I know they have lives, and I can’t keep them from living them. Even if I have to move out of state to get away from the foolishness, I would. LA is a good place to make a living as an MUA, and so is New York. I could also get away from my overbearing family.
As I pull into my covered parking spot, my cell beeps with a message notification from an unknown number.
Unknown: MIND YOUR BUSINESS
I frown at the same message I got the other day, but before I can even click off it, my cell rings with my mother’s name flashing across the screen. I don’t want to answer it, so she can nag me. But I answer to get it over with and so she won’t keep calling. I love my mother, but she’s a lot to deal with.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Roxanne. Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you.” My mother huffs into the phone. I roll my eyes at her dramatics. She has not tried to call me once. She’s mad that I haven’t called her.
“I’ve been working. Did you need something?”
“Do I need something? I need my wayward daughter to pick up the phone sometimes. We worry about you. You know you don’t make the best decisions.”
I heavily sigh because I’m twenty-eight years old, and she’s still holding on to the shit I did when I was barely twenty-one. We all make mistakes when we’re younger. Nobody knows everything except for my mother.
“Mama, I need to go. I just got off work, and I need to unpack my car. I’m glad you’re okay. Tell daddy I said hi. Love you.” I disconnect the line and turn my phone off.
When I get to my door, Wire is already inside. I frown because I didn’t think Stone was here. I walk slowly inside and see Wire looking around at my trashed apartment.
I could cry when I see all of my products destroyed. There’s make-up everywhere. All of my plastic boxes are broken, and there’s even black graffiti on my walls. The message says,“MIND YOUR BUSINESS.”
I can feel the tears slipping down my face. “Fucking, Raymond!”
10
Stone
“Hey, brother. It’s been a change of plans. Roxy is on her way to the clubhouse.” Bishop says from the other end of my phone. I glare because if Wire did something stupid, I’m going to fuck him up.
“What’s up? Where’s Wire?” I ask, trying to calm down.
“Wire is with her. I’ll tell you the details when you get here. So hurry the fuck up.” Bishop disconnects the line, and I growl.
If the VP is calling and he won’t say over the phone, even though it’s a burner, what happened. I know it must be serious. I grab up my shit because I was still at the shop, and I was planning to be here for another few hours.
“Hey, Marie, I’m heading out. Text me if anything comes up.”
“Where’re you goin’, boss man? You know you have a meeting with Alec today for next month’s shoot?”
I totally forgot about my meeting, but it can wait. Hounds come before everything, including business.
“Reschedule for next week. I’ll give him a call later.” I tell her.