Gilda walked up her front sidewalk in the semidarkness with a vague, uneasy feeling. She hadn’t noticed Gary or his car along the street, yet the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as though something was out of place. Ahead on the front porch, someone moved and a flame flared to life.
Chloe lit a cigarette, took a long drag and blew a stream of smoke toward Gilda before she extinguished the lighter. “About time you got home. I’ve been sitting here half an hour. I always thought you could do better than dating Razi.”
Gilda started to apologize then reconsidered. “What do you want?”
“You don’t have to sound so hostile.” She shifted in the warped wicker chair and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You really need better furniture. Did you get this at a garage sale?”
“It was my grandmother’s.” Gilda climbed the steps and waited.
Chloe took another drag. “You’re a good secretary, but don’t get too cozy. He’s mine. I’m the one with the looks, the brains and the money.” The cigarette glowed before she released a long breath. “I’m a former bikini model. I’m a trophy. You’re nothing.”
Gilda, self-esteem at a new all-time low, pulled out her keys. “I’m going to bed so I’d appreciate it if you left.”
“Oh, I will, honey,” Chloe said. “After I warn you to stay away from my father too.”
“Your father?” Her entire body tensed.
Chloe stood and teetered in her four-inch spike heels. Without the heels, she was Gilda’s height. “People have seen you and my father around town and I want it to stop. I won’t have you ruining his good name.”
“Are you serious?” Gilda gagged as smoke wafted into her face. Gary Del Garda had established his “good name” long before she was ever born. “I am not having, an affair with your dad, nor would I ever. I do have standards.”
“What’s wrong with my dad?” Chloe asked.
He’s twice my age. He’s a criminal. He’s stalking me. Take your pick. Gilda sighed. “Nothing. He’s a nice guy, but he’s not my type.”
“Good.” She gazed toward the street as she tapped her toe on the porch.
Gilda shifted her weight and longed for an ice pack. “Is there something else bothering you or can I go about my business?”
Chloe huffed. “Yeah. Tell that old Japanese dude to stay away from me.”
“Yoshida?”
“Yeah. Him. Every time he’s in town, Mick insists we take him to dinner. I usually get out of it, but lately he’s been hanging around town a lot more. The other day, I bumped into him in the grocery store of all places.”
Gilda frowned. “What was he doing there?”
“Probably getting food, but I’m not sure why a guy needs tampons. No man I’ve dated would ever buy them for me.” Chloe took one last puff on her cigarette then buried the butt in the planter full of marigolds. She walked down the front path and to the left around the corner. Seconds later, the Ferrari’s engine roared to life and faded into the night.
“Stay away from Mick and Gary. Keep Yoshida away from Chloe.” Gilda unlocked the front door. “Sounds easy enough.”
She closed the door and leaned against the cool wood. Yoshida thought women were subservient and meant to cater to him. Some woman had to have a hold on him. Through blackmail, perhaps. What had he done to give someone so much control over him?