The Goddaughter Read Online Free Page A

seconds, then shook my head.
    â€œDoes it have anything to do with the business you’re in?”
    I didn’t move.
    â€œAnd maybe that store over there, the one with the flashy things in the window that people might buy for engagement gifts?”
    I looked up at him.
    â€œOkay.” He plunked down on the bench beside me. “What do we do first?”
    I think that’s when I started to fall in love with Pete Malone.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    W e found the women’s washroom. Luckily, it was empty. I took out my cell phone, punched numbers and waited for the “Hullo.”
    â€œSammy, I lost the shoes.” Have you ever tried to yell without raising your voice?
    A pause.
    â€œWhat do you mean, lost the shoes?”
    I took a breath. “The shoes, Sammy! The shoes. I put them down on the floor by a bench and someone walked off with them.”
    â€œ Holy crap! ” He got it now. “You lost the fucking shoes! Why the hell did you take them off ?”
    This is where it got tricky. “They were making my feet hurt. I switched them after we got across the border and put on flats instead.”
    Another pause.
    â€œWho’s the we ?”
    A blast of cold hit my face. Crap. I blew it. Sammy may be rough, but he isn’t stupid.
    â€œWe.” I swallowed. Tried to breathe. “You know that bank robbery on King? My car was in the parking lot, and I decided to leave it there because I didn’t want to be frisked—you know, scene of the crime, and me being who I am and what I was carrying—so I got someone to drive me here.”
    â€œWho someone ?”
    â€œUm…Pete Malone.”
    I heard real bad cursing. Real bad. Aunt Miriam would have his nuts for noodles if she knew .
    â€œHow much does he know?” Sammy said finally.
    â€œNothing. He thinks we’re going out to dinner tonight after I do a little shopping.” Lie, lie, lie. I’m going to hell, no question.
    â€œVinnie ain’t gonna like this.” I could almost hear him shaking his head.
    â€œVince doesn’t have to know about it. At least not yet. Look, I need you to call the Battalia people and tell them there’s been a slight delay. We’ll make the trade tomorrow, same time. Can you do that?”
    â€œYou going to be able to get them back by tomorrow?”
    â€œSure.” My voice swaggered with confidence. “I know exactly who took them. And that woman has no idea what’s in them, so we’re safe.”
    â€œShe just wanted the shoes?”
    â€œYou got it. Now I just have to go after her and get them back.”
    We rang off. I left the washroom and found Pete leaning against a wall with his big arms crossed. He looked over and met my eyes.
    â€œAny idea where to start?” he asked.
    â€œNot a clue,” I said.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    T he local food factory served large mugs of pretty good coffee. This was a good thing. I needed a whole lot of coffee to clear my brain. Or maybe I just needed a new brain.
    We were seated at a table for two. As per my training, I had grabbed the chair that allowed me to look out across the restaurant, with my back to the wall Like in the old westerns.
    â€œI hate my life,” I mumbled into the mug.
    â€œWhy don’t you change it then?”
    I looked up sharply. If Pete was trying to be helpful, he had a lot to learn.
    â€œI did try.” The look I gave him wasn’t warm. “I left Hamilton two years ago to do my own thing in a place far away. They found me eventually and convinced me to come back. It took awhile.” I took a slurp.
    Now he looked serious. “That doesn’t seem right.”
    â€œYou don’t understand.” I shook my head firmly. “They brought me back for my own safety. Two attempts had already been made to kidnap me. I was a sitting target for anyone who had a thing against my Uncle Vince. Still am, in fact. But on his home turf, they don’t dare try