Rescuing Vanessa (A Little Bit of Coffee, Flowers, and Romance) by Christina Li

there and force her to let him go through the boxes, but it would be easier to let her unpack them. If she saw him, she could identify him and then he’d have to kill her. He didn’t want the police getting any more involved than they already were. No, the best thing to do was wait. It would only be a little longer now. Then, all he needed to do is go into the house and retrieve the vase. Simple, right?
    Bzzzz ! Great! Another text from the mob.
    He clicked the message and his stomach plummeted.
    We know you’re in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We even know your hotel room. Hope you don’t intend to make us come and get you.
    His cell rang. When he didn’t answer another text showed up.
    I’m going to call you one more time. Pick up.
    Ringgggg!
    “Hello, Denny. How’s the windy city?” Even through his cell, the man seemed to radiate power.
    “Hello, Mr. Rigotti. It’s fine. You should see it sometime.” He hoped Mr. Rigotti couldn’t hear the tremor in his voice.
    “Thanks. I’d rather not. I hear you’ve got a vase.”
    How did he find out about that? “Uh, I’m working on it.”
    “Hmm. Your girlfriend did say there was a small problem. I assume you’re solving it.”
    “Yes, sir.” Great, Collie had messed things up for him even more. He wished he had never gotten involved with her.
    “That’s good. Get me the vase and I’ll consider all debts paid. Does that sound good to you?”
    “Yes, sir.” That was easier than trying to fence it.
    “Good. Don’t get too comfortable in Chicago. Understand?”
    “Yes, sir.” The call ended and Denny could breathe again.
    He needed that vase. Now.
    His fear quickly changed to anger. What an idiot Collie was. He couldn’t get back at her right now. He’d have to save that for later, if the mob hadn’t already gotten to her.
    Vanessa would serve as a nice substitute. She never would go out with him and that made him even angrier. Her car was sitting right next to him. It would be so easy to crawl under her car and no one would notice. He would make it seem like an accident. Mess with the brake lines a little. She wouldn’t even realize anything until it was too late. Chicago traffic could be murder. At the very least, if she ended up in the hospital, everyone would clear out to go visit her, giving him plenty of alone time to go through the house and find that vase. He smiled to himself as he slipped out of his car and rolled under hers.
     

Chapter 13
     
    As Daniel sat in his office going over his notes for tomorrow’s lectures, he had the worst feeling that something was wrong. Finally, he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Pulling out his cell, he called Vanessa. He was relieved when she picked up after a few rings.
    “Hello?”
    “Vanessa, it’s Daniel. Is everything alright? You sound out of breath.”
    “I’m fi ne. In fact, I’m great. My stuff finally got here. I’ve been carrying it all inside and upstairs. That’s why I’m out of breath.”
    “Oh.” Obviously she was fine. Yet, he couldn’t shake that feeling. Then, he got an idea. “Are you doing anything for lunch?”
    “Um, no. I hadn’t really thought about it.”
    “Well, you must eat and I hate eating by myself. Want to go to the Coffee House?”
    “Well, I do need to get these boxes out of the garage and go through them. Then, I have to go to Grandpa’s to work this afternoon.”
    “How about I come home and help for a little while? Then we can both eat, my treat. I promise I’ll have you back in time to get to your work. Please, I saw Dr. Thomas prowling around the department. I need a good excuse in case I can’t avoid her.”  
    “ Do you want me to come rescue you?” He could hear the laughter in her voice.
    “No, I’ll come to you. It’s better that I make my escape as soon as I can. Besides, this way I can help you with some of your boxes. I won’t go through anything you don’t want me to.”
    “Actually, I could use the help. I’m afraid I