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She should’ve dropped off the o by now, but the General, picking a convenient tifield, delaying her for three frustrating hours until the mechanic could co coffee and studiously ignoring her phone the entire tiht make her a coward, but she couldn’t afford to lose her resolve Besides, if Derek really wanted her as he’d said, accepting her stubborn nature would be step one

No, Ginger corrected herself, he did want her She needed to stop thinking in terms of ifs and maybes The sooner she stashed the et back to Chicago and into his arms to reassure herself of that fact

The sun began to rise outside, lighting her way into Valerie’s bedroom She hadn’t set foot in her mother’s room since childhood, afraid of what she would find She felt little shock at seeing the syringe sitting on the nightstand or the blackened spoon lying next to it Sighing, she took a step toward the bed

A car screeched to a stop outside and two doors slammed, followed closely by a third Two male voices called to each other, but she couldn’t make out what they said

The next closest house was condemned and had been for quite some time, which meant whoever it was had coer’s heart accelerated as she ducked behind a chest of drawers A ainst the wall She covered her

“Where you want her, Haywood?”

A deeper voice spoke “Anywhere’ll do” A heavy object dropped onto the carpet, followed by a slapping noise “Tiot business, you and I”

Ginger’s mind raced Maybe Valerie had passed out so her home? Yes, that would be a definite possibility, and not the first or last ti about theup her spine

Valerie groaned

“That’s right Come on, now I don’t have all day”

“Haywood?” She sounded alarmed “What do you want?”

He laughed “You knohat I want I gave you specific instructions: Drop off the package, and bring ot done, so I’ht”

“I told you what happened You should be looking for Ginger She stole it right out of ”

“And ere you sleeping, Valerie?” Haywood’s voice grew stern “Perhaps you dipped into the package and took a little product for yourself? You see, I knew you’d have trouble resisting, which is why I told you no stops were allowed between the pickup and drop-off”

Without issuing a denial, Valerie started crying “Well, what are you gonna do?”

“I suppose I’ll have to track down this industrious offspring of yours But first, I’ up that face of yours worse than the drugs already have”

Heavy footsteps crossed the carpet,

Tears rolled down Ginger’s cheeks when the she heard the first blow She’d caused this Whatever Valerie’s shortcoer’s head She couldn’t stand there and let herfor her actions Further her down in Chicago, she would lead hiht to Willa And Derek

Maybe she could walk out there and give Haywood the h and toss back a cold one No harm done

Unlikely

Ginger took a deep breath It was ti rooot yourher now”