Page 51 of The Disputed Legacy

He didn’t push it. Three dots returned before his text showed.

Nik:No one is hurt.

Nik:It’s nothing like that.

Nik:But we’ve received word about something we couldn’t have expected.

Received word? They got a call or letter about some kind of news?

It couldn’t be a life-or-death matter in that case. My need to do my duty to my family surpassed the importance of many things, but if this wasn’t an emergency and they merely wanted to talk with me about something, it could damn well wait.

Willow deserved my attention too. My fledgling hopes for a real relationship with her mattered as well. All my brothers carved out the time and spent the energy pursuing their paths toward their women, and I didn’t see why I couldn’t be “greedy” or “selfish” and do the same.

Saul:It’s not an emergency?

Nik:Not yet.

Not yet? I didn’t know how to dissect his reply.

Saul:Do you need me home now to discuss this? Or can it wait a day or two?

Nik:Go figure. Only you would rate chasing pussy over handling a recent problem in the family.

I rolled my eyes.

Nik:It’s fine. We need to talk about this as soon as possible, but no. It’s not that urgent.

Nik:It’s better if we discuss this in person.

Nik:And it’s better if you lie low and not communicate with any Romanos until we’ve talked.

So, it was about them. He didn’t directly comment about their being behind that shooting at the diner, which implied they might be separate and isolated incidents, after all.

The sound of a key turning in the front door alerted me to Willow’s return. It probably had been her in the elevator when I noticed it humming closer.

I locked my phone and slid it into my pocket just as the door opened.

Now that she was back, I was ready to devote all my focus on her.

21

WILLOW

Icalled the manager’s number but got no reply. They’d be busy, naturally. Handling the damage and figuring out how to move forward, they’d be stuck dealing with business and not available to answer calls.

Yet, I knew that they’d have to tell the employees something.

After I saw Oscar enter his school building, glad that he hadn’t been too inquisitive about Saul staying at our apartment last night, I called the manager. Then I tried the number I had for Margo. She also didn't answer. Contacting her or trying to speak with her outside of the diner was strange. I could call her a friend at work, but I wasn’t sure how that would shift to a non-work situation.

Now what?

I had to know something about my job. Since I’d been put back after the flood and needing time off to handle that, I was in a sensitive spot to lose any more hours or time. I needed every penny I earned, dammit. This paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle never stopped or allowed permission for a break, even one that wasn’t my fault.

I supposed I could walk by there and see what was going on. If it looked like cops were in the vicinity, I could turn around and avoid it a little longer.

But that wasn’t necessary, either. A block away from the school, my phone buzzed and I pulled it from my purse.

Margo was calling back.