Sweet Vengeance by Cindy Stark Page B

attention.  "The one on Ninth?"  Another pause.  "What
about Jenna?  When did you hear this?"  He shook his head and swore
softly.  He shifted his gaze to Allie and then he quickly looked away. 
"Okay, fine.  Get some men out to both places.  Make sure Jorge has extra
cash for anyone willing to talk.  I'm leaving right now, and I'll see you in
twenty."
    Jase
ended his call and looked at her.  From the expression on his face, she knew it
wasn't good news.  "Someone's torched one of our hideouts."
    Allie's
throat tightened.  "You said Jenna."  She tried to inhale.  "Was
it her place?"
    "No." 
He shook his head.  "But rumor is, her place is next." 
    "I
thought you said it was safe there."  Cold fear gripped her.  "Is it
because of me?  Do they think I'm there?"
    "Allie,
this isn't a risk-free business I'm running.  It could be for any number of
reasons."  The look on his face told her otherwise.
    "But
that's not what you think."
    "I
don't know what to think.  All I know is I'm the closest one to Jenna's, and if
her place is about to be hit, I need to get there first."
    Allie's
insides started to shake.  "Can't you call her?  Warn her to get
out?"
    "Max
tried.  Nobody's answering."  He looked as sick as she felt.  "I have
to go."
    "No,"
she said, scrambling out of bed.  She grabbed his hand.  "Don't leave
me."
    "You're
safe here, Allie."  He touched her cheek.  "There's fifteen men
stationed in the warehouse.  All with guns.  All prepared for a fight." 
His look was sincere, but she didn't feel comforted.  "And no one but a
few of my people knows you're here."
    She
shook her head.  "No.  Please don't leave me."
    "I
have to go.  If I don't, Jenna's dead."  He pulled away.  "I'll put
several more men near the entrance to the tunnel leading here and a couple more
just outside the kitchen doorway.  They'll protect you."
    "Who
will protect you?"  Tears hovered in her eyes, but what could she do to
stop him?
    "I'll
leave Boo with you, too."  He didn't acknowledge the question of his
safety.  "Stay," he said to his dog.
    Allie
looked down and there was Boo sitting loyally by her feet.  She lowered her
hand, and he bumped it with his wet nose.  "Be careful." 
    There
was a fierce look in his eyes as he left.  She sank to the floor next to Boo
and pulled him into her arms.  His fur was so soft.  So warm.  He seemed to
sense her mood, and she let him lick the tears from her face.
    Allie
didn't sit for long.  The best thing would be to get up and get dressed.  She
didn't want to be in her pajamas when Jase returned, and if she needed anything
from the men stationed outside her door, it would be better if she was dressed.
    Using
Jase's methods from the previous day, she made a makeshift patch to cover the
bandage on her arm and took a quick shower.  Afterward, she slipped into Jase's
shirt, letting the feel of the soft cotton surround her.  She hugged herself,
pressing the fabric against her skin.  This was better than the other shirts,
anyway. 
    She
released a deep breath.  Everything would be okay.  She repeated the mantra to
herself again several times, trying to sound believable. 
    Boo
followed her out of the bathroom and down the stairs.  If she weren't safe, the
dog would let her know.  She walked into the kitchen and over to the door. 
Jase had said he'd stationed some men out there to protect her.  She pressed
her ear against it and listened as Boo sniffed around the edges.  The voices of
two men echoed from beyond, laughing over something.  Boo wandered away, and
she felt satisfied everything was as it should be.
    In
the quiet of the kitchen, she sat at the table, eating toast and milk, tossing
the crusty edges of her bread to Boo.  He was so cute with his white chest and
feet.  She smiled.  When she finally found a place to settle, she was going to
get her own dog.
    She
stood to take her dishes to the sink when Boo let out a low growl.  Growing up
in a rough