You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 70

"You're rejecting me?" He said the words like it wasn't something I was worthy of doing to him.

He looked so intimidating, I had to remind myself that we were in public space and he wouldn't possibly harm me.

Still, I had to swallow past a lump in my throat before replying. "It's not what you think."

"Get out, Ms. Hayes." His voice was clipped. Final.

A part of me felt wounded.

I dipped my head and left.

****†****†

I kept checking the time until the close of work. I'd been eager to get out of this company that seemed to be closing in on me today.

Veronica and I met up and made our way to Creighton's place. Naturally, the first words out of her mouth were about the car.

"Seriously, I don't like the fact that he's a killer and all, but this guy is down-bad obsessed with you. Do you know how much a Bentley costs? You told us the other day that he named the famous Ze Voyage after you. Woah! That's billionaire poetry."

I glanced at the cab driver. I didn't think he was paying any attention.

"Don't forget the fact that he killed a man in there because of me." I glared at her. "He's not just bad news, Nica. He's a whole cursed newspaper. I want nothing to do with him. End of discussion."

But of course, Veronica treated warnings the way people treat Terms & Conditions—ignored them entirely. She kept talking about it until we reached the gates of Creighton's mansion.

"Are you sure this is the right approach, Rali?" Veronica stretched her neck like a meerkat to take in the bulky men guarding the gate. "Your guy said he was dangerous, right?"

"We're ladies, Nica. Harmless, soft-skinned, probably dehydrated ladies. He won't just shoot us on sight for visiting. Probably."

We both stepped out of the cab and approached the men at the gate who didn't hesitate to question us.

"We're here to see Mr. Creighton. We just have some questions for him. Very important ones," I said to the first man that'd been staring at me since Veronica and I left the car.

He whispered something to his colleague, and after a phone call, returned his attention to us. "You can go in. Without the car."

I paid the cab driver, who gave us a look that said “Y'all better come out alive.”

The guards frisked our bags and ran a scanner over our bodies. Afterwards, Veronica and I were free to go.

Okay. So, maybe she was right. This was crazy and dangerous. We were indeed, 'harmless' and these men could easily take advantage of us.

"Rali... Are you sure about this?" Veronica asked in a whisper, her eyes darting around.

Thankfully, we saw a female gardener bent over a rose bush up ahead.

I exhaled. "See? There are women here."

That should be a good sign, right?

The path to the house was unnecessarily long, as if the owner wanted to give you time to question your decision of being here. By the time we reached the door, my calves were complaining.

I cleared my throat, and Veronica and I slipped back into our seats like two kids who'd stumbled into the principal's office uninvited.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" He demanded in a tone that made me believe we might have a difficult time.

"We're sorry for bothering you, sir. It's just... I have some really important questions for you."

Taking out my phone, I showed the picture to him. I didn't expect him to take it, and he didn't. He just leaned forward slightly and examined the image with a grumpy look.

"This is a Sarte. I believe it item was auctioned off at one of your charity events years ago. They also said you keep records of the items bid out. If you could help me with those records, it could lead me to the person who gifted me." I went ahead to explain how it could lead me to my parents.

"That information is private," he gruffed. "What happens in my events stays in my events. It's laughable that you think you can just waltz in and demand answers from nearly twenty years ago."

"But I just told you I was separated from my family and this could—"

"I don't care!" He rose to his feet. "For all I know, you could be some sling spy sent to ruin something. Leave, girls, and never come back."

Veronica stood up as well. "Please, this is really important. If going through the records would be a hassle for you, we could search ourselves. We'll be quick and careful, I swear—"

"And that is exactly why it's impossible." He jabbed a finger at us. "I do not let strangers into my space. Come back again and I promise, it won't be a polite goodbye."

There was nothing left to say.

Veronica and I watched helplessly as he disappeared into his house, slamming the door on our only lead.