Page 159 of His Flash Mate
His humor faded as Mom asked, “What message?”
I handed her my phone so she could read the original.
“The number is associated with a burner phone registered with a fake identity,” Konni said.“I still have people looking into it, but it’s unlikely we’ll find the source.”
“That’s…odd,” Mom said, handing me my phone.“How would revealing your relationship with Konni benefit Hestian or your father?”
“It wouldn’t,” Konni said.“At least, not on the surface.Maybe there’s something we’re missing.”
“Or maybe they’re testing how close you are to Sophia to gauge how hard they can push her,” Mom said.
“Or maybe it’s not either of them,” I said, thinking of the other person who’d been at the reception.“Are you still installing software to track messages?”
Konni glanced at me, his look a little contrite.
“It’s already done.I had Marius handle it when you left your phone at your desk.”
“You’re lucky you asked first.Next time, please do things more openly.And I’m saying that to both of you.”
He nodded as he drove into a gated neighborhood of townhouses not far from downtown.
“Where are we going?”I asked as my phone buzzed again.
Miranda:Do you know where you’re staying yet?I have a bottle of tequila and a blender ready for some margaritas.
Wrenly:And I have my overnight bag packed so I can help you shower off the vomit.
Me:That wasonetime.Never again.
Wrenly:But it was so fun.Like wrestling an oiled piglet into submission.
Miranda:How many pigs did you wrestle in that private school?
Wrenly:More than I should have.
“Are you sure it won’t be a problem?”
Mom’s question brought me out of the chat conversation and back to theirs.
“Positive,” Konni said.
“What won’t be a problem?”I asked.
“Nothing,” he said, parking in front of a charming brick townhouse.“Let me get the door for you, Mrs.Elmantas.”
He opened her door for her as I got out and stared up at the impressive three-story, narrow building.
“The code is Sophia’s birthday,” he said.“I’ll get the bags.”
Mom gave me a pointed look before hurrying to the door to verify it.I hung back by Konni, waiting until she wouldn’t hear.
“Is this your house?”
“It is.”
“The one you’re actively staying at?”
“Yes.”He closed the trunk and met my gaze.“Are you going to kick me out of my own house, Sophia?”
