Rigatoni Ruin, page 4
“Nana, have you been paying your bills?” I asked as I weeded through the pile.
“I pay them at the beginning of the month.”
“The beginning of the month has come and gone,” I said.
I wasn’t too concerned. It wasn’t like there were months of unpaid bills. Most of these were recent. The worst-case scenario was that she’d end up with a few late charges. That she didn’t even stop to open them had me worried. This wasn’t like her.
I almost preferred Ross’s silent treatment over Nana’s tailspin.
Logan moved through the house as Nana frantically searched for her phone. He disappeared down the hall, and a moment later, two couples hobbled to pull their clothes on as they raced past me and out the door.
“I can’t find it!” Nana tossed cushions and pillows, adding to the red cups that littered the floor.
“I’ll call your phone,” I said. “We’ll listen for the sound.”
I brought out my phone, but even then, Nana continued to scurry around like a wound-up toy. I feared what would happen when she finally stopped.
Calling her number, it sent me straight to voicemail.
“Your battery must be dead,” I said.
“Nonsense. I charged it this morning. I remember because I propped it up on the Sunday paper.”
I paused. “Today’s Sunday paper?”
“Yes.”
“Nana, today is Wednesday.”
She looked at me. “It’s Sunday.”
“No. It’s Wednesday. When was the last time you slept?”
She blinked at me, and I knew right then she did not know.
“Go take a warm shower and get pajamas on,” I said. “I’ll make your bed.”
“My bed is made.”
“You had a foursome walk out of your room.”
As I maneuvered her to the bathroom, she tsked at me. “Stop treating me like a kid. I just got confused on the day. I’m old.”
“I will stop treating you like a kid when you stop throwing nonstop parties. Even Lan can’t keep up with you. He’s passed out in the closet.”
“Lightweight.”
I stopped my eyes from rolling and deposited Nana into the bathroom that reeked of vomit and vanilla air freshener.
I turned on the shower and closed the door. Thankfully, she didn’t argue.
“They trashed her place,” Logan said.
“I didn’t notice last night, but I should have.”
“It’s hard to notice when the place is packed with people.”
Essie headed to the door. “I better go.”
I felt bad for Essie. She got caught up in Nana’s shenanigans.
“Do you want Logan to drive you?” I asked.
“No. I’ll be fine.” She hurried away.
Logan followed me to the bedroom. I picked up the photo of Papa that was lying on the floor and placed the frame on her dresser.
“Will you help me make the bed?” I asked.
“Of course.”
As he pulled off sheets, I found fresh ones in the linen closet. We worked quickly and had Nana’s bed ready for her by the time she emerged from the bathroom. For once, she didn’t argue. She collapsed into bed.
“Night, Nana,” I said.
She patted my hand. “Night, Jade. Take Logan home.”
Logan winked at her and then walked out. I flipped off the lights and followed him to the living room.
“I should stay and clean up,” I said.
“Are you going against a direct order from Nana?” Logan questioned.
“When have I ever followed orders?”
“Never.” He nudged me closer. “But I was hoping this one time you would. I don’t have to be to work until later. We could have breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Sounded tempting.
“Then you’d have an excuse to check in on Nana tomorrow,” he added.
“I suppose,” I said. “But what if she’s already in party mode by the time I get here?”
“Someone who hasn’t slept in days will still be passed out by the time you return. I wouldn’t worry about her throwing a party for a good twenty-four hours.”
“You’re right.”
He grinned as he nuzzled my neck. “I love when you tell me I’m right.”
“Don’t get too used to it. It won’t happen often.”
“Then I’ll bask in it when it happens. But there’s something else I will be right about.”
“What’s that?”
“That if you don’t get into my car in two minutes, I’m carrying you out.”
“So impatient.”
“You made me wait a long time for you. I have ten years to make up.”
I gave him a kiss and then moved away. “Let me wake Lan first. He deserves to sleep in a bed tonight.”
I nudged Lan’s leg with my toe. “Lan, time to go to bed.”
He didn’t move. That didn’t surprise me. If he’d been awake as long as Nana, he’d be in a deep sleep.
I nudged him again.
“Lan?”
Logan leaned in and checked his pulse. He paused and then tossed me his keys. “There’s a medical box in the back of my car. Get it.”
“What’s going on?”
“Just get it.”
When Logan pulled out his phone, I knew it was serious. There was something wrong with Lan. Racing to Logan’s SUV, I grabbed the medical kit and returned to find Logan had shifted Lan out of the closet.
Now that Lan was no longer in the closet shadows, I saw his pale complexion.
Logan took the kit from me and opened it. He pulled out a small bottle and sprayed it into Lan’s nose.
“Overdose?” I gasped. “Lan wasn’t using.”
“It’s just in case,” Logan said. “If it’s not an overdose, the spray won’t harm him. But we’ll get him to the hospital and have them look at him. An emergency crew is on the way.”
We sat next to Lan as we waited for the ambulance. Logan continued to monitor Lan as my mind wheeled. Lan hadn’t been using drugs. Not that I followed him around, but Nana would never allow drugs in her house. She was part bloodhound when it came to drugs.
However, she hadn’t been herself lately, and Lan was desperate for sleep.
I wondered if I should wake Nana and let her know, but we didn’t have answers yet, and Nana needed her sleep. There was nothing she could do that Logan wasn’t already doing.
I watched as Logan monitored Lan’s pulse and breathing. He focused on the task like this was a normal part of his routine. Maybe it was. It wasn’t like he spoke about his job for me to know otherwise.
As my mind spun, Logan stood and opened the door. Ambulance lights flashed through the window. The walls danced with the ominous lights. It seemed those lights were part of my scenery now. Every couple of weeks, they appeared for me or someone close to me. While they represented rescue, they also brought up memories of why I needed them. Would I forever feel dread when the lights flashed and the sirens blared?
I scooted out of the way as paramedics took over Lan’s care. Eventually, they wheeled him out to the ambulance and took off.
“What hospital are they taking him to?” I asked. “I should let Lily know.”
“I already let her know.”
“You did? When?”
“Just now.”
I swear I didn’t see him on his phone.
He rubbed my back. “Let’s go.”
“Are we going to the hospital?”
He shook his head. “There is nothing we can do for Lan right now. And you should rest.”
“Rest? I’m fine.”
Logan frowned and looked at me with soft brown eyes that were tinted with concern. “You blanked out.”
“What?”
“You were staring off into space. I’ve seen it sometimes in shock victims. It’s a coping mechanism.”
Was that how I missed him calling Lily?
“I’m not in shock,” I said. “I’ve seen worse.”
“Exactly. Your mind might have been gearing up for a worse-case scenario.”
I didn’t want to believe him.
“It’s okay,” he said, as if he could hear my thoughts. “People go through recoveries at their own speed. Has this happened before?”
I shook my head.
He pulled me close to him. “You might want to speak to someone about it.”
“I’m speaking to you.”
“I’m hardly an expert. I just see the signs.”
As he rubbed my back, I rested my forehead on his chest. This was all I needed. As long as I had Logan, everything else would be okay.
“Let’s go,” he said. “We’ll check in on Lan a little later.”
I nodded and followed Logan to his SUV.
I had hoped my life was finally heading in the right direction, but it seemed my mind might not agree. Hopefully, this incident was just a one-time thing.
CHAPTER SIX
“Morning,” a sleepy voice mumbled. Logan wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
I snuggled into his warm chest as he placed a kiss on my forehead. “Morning.”
“Morning,” another voice said.
Both Logan and I glanced down at the end of the bed to find Colin sitting in a kitchen chair with his legs kicked up on the mattress.
Logan cursed as he glared at Colin. “Did you break in?”
“I never break.”
“You know I’m a cop, right?”
Colin smirked. “I know cops hate paperwork, too. Anyway, I’m here to help.”
“Get out.”
Colin glanced at me. “Is he always so cranky in the morning? Doesn’t bode well for your marriage.”
I chucked my pillow at him. He caught it. “Is this an invitation?”
When Logan made a movement, Colin stood. “Settle, stud. I’d like a little mystery in our relationship. I’ll wait for you in the living room.”
When he closed the door behind him, Logan blew out a breath and crashed back to his pillow.
“I hate that guy,” he said.
“He’s a little much. But think about his upbringing. He was raised knowing he can get whatever he wants. That kind of power makes a person act entitled.”
“You’re sleeping at my place until he leaves.”
I walked my fingers down his chest. “You make it sound like a punishment.”
He stalled my fingers. “Not a punishment, and we will continue this later. Looks like breakfast will be postponed, too.”
“Yesterday Colin brought breakfast. Maybe he did again.”
“Tell me you didn’t eat it.”
“When have I ever passed up food?”
He groaned and then whipped off the covers. “You’re making it really hard to keep my temper in check.”
I wanted to be sassy, but I decided Logan wouldn’t appreciate it, especially with Colin out in the living room. As it was, I had a full day ahead of me and didn’t want to start the day with an argument. Not only did I have to check in on Lan, but Nana’s place needed a thorough cleaning.
Logan pulled on his jeans and T-shirt. “I’ll talk to Colin. You stay here.”
I raised a brow but said nothing when he left the room. I waited for shouting, or a body to be tossed against the wall. When none of those things happened, I stood and found old clothes that would be suitable for hazmat work at Nana’s. I then headed to the bathroom, slowing my steps in the hallway to listen.
“I have someone who can assist,” Logan said. “But he’d have to agree to do this off the clock.”
“Think he will?”
“He’s miserable on desk duty, so it’s likely. But if we do this, we do this without Jade.”
Without me?
“She’s the only one who can get past my dad,” Colin said.
“She’s showing signs of PTSD. I will not send her in.”
PTSD? Was that what was happening? But wasn’t post-traumatic stress something military people experienced?
I made a mental note to research it. Why didn’t Logan tell me last night? Why did he say it was shock?
There were so many questions, but I had to pay attention to the conversation.
“Because of what went down at the 411?” Colin asked. “I heard about that. It’s nothing new for my dad. It’s standard practice.”
“Jade was under extreme pressure and then witnessed the deaths. She froze last night for nearly ten minutes. You can’t send her in and expect her to rescue Mila.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I didn’t either until last night. I’m asking you to leave her out of this for Mila’s sake. I will pull strings on my end. I’ll reach out to the guy I was telling you about and plan with him. In exchange, I need your promise to leave Jade alone.”
Colin was silent for a moment. “I don’t make promises, but I also don’t want to have to rescue two people. If you help me, I’ll leave Jade out of it.”
“Good. Meet me this afternoon at this address. We’ll go over details then.”
“Done.”
I slipped into the bathroom and quietly closed the door. Turning on the shower, I replayed the conversation. I didn’t blame Logan for squeezing me out, but it hurt that he had the conversation with Colin without me. I was a grown woman. Sure, I might have an undiagnosed condition to figure out, but I shouldn’t be discounted for the planning.
PTSD, though?
It didn’t seem right. I hadn’t seen much at the 411. Mostly, I was under the cage spotlight. I couldn’t see anything outside the ring. Afterward, I saw bodies and blood. The floor was slick. The scent of iron-rich blood mingled with the smoky sent of fired guns. I heard the orders. The shouting. I felt the thud of the Exterminator as he fell to the mat. The blood ring that flowed from his body.
But that wasn’t enough, was it? It seemed like I should have gone through more trauma than what I had. Ross was the one who had been taken hostage. Not me.
Well, there was that time I nearly suffocated to death in a pool of gelatin. I suppose that didn’t help matters. Still, I survived.
A soft knock on the door had my thoughts stalling. “Are you okay? You’ve been in there for a while.”
“A while? I just got in here.”
“How long do you think you’ve been in there?”
“Maybe two minutes.” I paused. Had I blanked again? “How long have I been in here?”
“About forty-five minutes.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Check the water temperature.”
Now that he mentioned it, the bathroom was steamy. I reached into the shower and felt the water turning cold.
I had spent forty-five minutes standing in the bathroom.
This was not okay. I was not okay.
I ran my hand over the mirror to clear the fog and stared at my reflection.
I looked the same. Maybe a little wearier, but nothing about my appearance had changed. But I was somehow . . . broken.
To keep the tears from forming, I bit my lip. I was not weak. I was not broken.
All I had was a glitch. I just needed a reboot, and I’d be fine.
A vacation.
“Jade, open the door.”
Get it together, I thought as I stared at myself.
“Jade, please.”
He tested the knob to find it locked.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I said.
Now that the water was cold, I’d have to do without my shower. That was okay. I’d only get sweaty cleaning Nana’s place, anyway.
I brushed my teeth and pretended this was any other day and nothing had changed. Giving myself one last glance, I walked out into a wall of man chest. Arms circled around me.
“Were you standing out here the whole time?” I asked.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.”
“Jade, you stood in the bathroom for nearly an hour, and you’re naked.”
I glanced down at myself and then over to the bathroom counter that still had my clothes folded on them.
Okay, so maybe next time I look in the mirror, I should double check a few key components before I walk out.
Logan rubbed my back in a soothing motion and then reached into the bathroom to collect my clothes. As he dressed me like a toddler, he told me his plans for the day, which included going to work. He left out the fact he was meeting up with Colin later.
“I can take the day off, though,” he said when he finished dressing me.
“No. I’ll be fine.”
“If I give you the number of someone to talk to, will you call them?”
No. Maybe.
“Sure.”
That seemed to appease him. “I’ll text the information to you. I can order breakfast to be delivered here once I get to the station.”
“Logan, I’m fine. I can feed myself.”
“Will you stay home today?”
I shook my head. “I want to check on Lan and then head over to Nana’s.”
He looked as if he wanted to order me to stay home where it was safe.
Instead, he kissed my forehead. “I’m going to check on you every hour. If you don’t reply to my text, I will come and find you. Do you understand?”
“I’m not sure if you are overly concerned or a stalker,” I attempted to tease.
He smiled. “Both.”
“Understood.”
He brought me in for one last hug. “I’m a worrier. You know that about me.”
“Yeah.”
“I love you, dumpling.”
I glared at him while he stupidly grinned.
“Really? You had to bring back the horrible pet name?”
“I like it,” he said.
I supposed I liked it, too. And it brought back warm, fuzzy memories of me tackling him the first time he called me it.
“I love you, too,” I finally muttered.
“That’s my dumpling.”
He backed away before I could retaliate.
I had to admit, Logan had a way of getting me out of whatever funk I was in. I felt better. Hunger that I hadn’t been feeling hit me hard.
After Logan left, I thought about a certain diner that Nash might be sitting in right now as he gathered information, but I was afraid going to a mob boss’s diner might trigger another episode. Instead, I headed out to the sidewalk and across the street to a vendor who sold pretzels, no matter the time or season.
