“Declan doesn’t have friends.” She purses her lips. “Except for that flirty guy.”
Cleo and I share a look and smile before I look back at the woman. “Declan works for my husband. I have a key.” I raise it so she can see it. “I promise nothing shady is happening.”
She shifts from one foot to the other. “If you say so.”
I hold out my hand and step forward. “I’m Autumn, and this is my sister-in-law, Cleo.”
“I’m Nikita.” She reluctantly shakes my hand.
“So are you new to the city?” Cleo asks.
I watch as the woman’s guard once again goes up. “Why do you ask?”
Cleo raises her hands. “Hey, just trying to make friendly conversation…”
I cut Cleo off before she can say anything else. “What Cleo was poorly asking was if you wanted to get together sometime. Maybe get a drink or lunch. Something easy.”
Nikita frowns. “I don’t know…”
“Come on, you can never have too many friends,” I push.
“Sure, but I have things I’m supposed to do today.”
“That’s fine.”
“You could join us for Christmas dinner,” I offer.
She starts shaking her head. “No, that’s time for family time.”
“No, it’s a great idea, and Cleo won’t mind. Right, Cleo?”
Cleo looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind but smiles back at Nikita. “I insist.”
“I…”
“Declan is coming, and you can come with him.”
“He and I don’t exactly get along.”
“It will be fine, I promise. I’ll tell him to pick you up. Just give me your number, and I’ll give you the information,” I say as I pull out my phone.
Hesitantly, she recites her number, and I punch it in.
“There. I sent you a text so you have mine as well.”
“Cool.” She points over her shoulder toward the elevator. “I’m going to bounce.”
“Bye,” Cleo and I say in unison.
We watch her walk away, and as soon as she steps into the elevator, Cleo turns on me.
“What the hell, Autumn? You just invited some random woman to my house for Christmas,” she hisses.
I raise my hands. “Hear me out, please.”
Cleo huffs, crossing her arms, but nods.
“This building is owned by us. That means all of the tenants have had extensive background checks. If she lives here, then she’s harmless, especially if she lives next to the second in command of the Chicago Westies.”
