“I’d much rather hear about yo?—”
“As I was saying,” he interrupts. “I already know quite a bit about Eloise’s unfortunate situation.”
His words make me forget everything else. “Youwhat?”
He nods, expression grave. “When I met her at the guitar shop the other day, something didn’t sit right with me. She seemed… scared. Skittish. And the fact that you two were being so secretive about things? Well, it was strange.” He leans in, lowering his voice. “There have been whispers over the years in the industry… rumors about Eloise and her guardian. How he may or may not have done some illegal things in order to gain control over her and her estate.”
“Peopleknewabout it? And they haven’t done anything?”
Enzo shakes his head, holding up his hands. “It’s not like that. No one knew for certain—it was just petty gossip. But when I met her, it suddenly didn’t seem like rumors anymore. Ever since, I’ve been looking into her past. Researching.”
I swallow thickly. “So you know. You know what he’s doing to her. What he’s fuckingdone.”
“I’ve had to piece it together and speculate, but… yes.”
My breath hitches in my chest. “Did you find… Do you know how we can save her?”
He looks off to the side, unable to meet my eyes. “I wish I did, but… it’s difficult, Riot. What you said aboutevidence—there is none. Nothing concrete.”
“So we keep looking. We have to find something.”
Enzo nods. “We can try. I can’t promise you anything, though, Riot.”
“I know. All that matters is that there’s a chance.” If there’s even a slight possibility I can help Eloise, I will take any opportunity I can.
Enzo pats me on the shoulder, his version of a hug goodbye. “I have to get going. Now that I know you’re alive and well, I should get back to the city. Call some people about this Eloise situation.”
“Thank you, Enzo. You don’t know what this means.”
He holds up his hands. “Like I said, I can’t promise anything. But I will try my damnedest. For you and for her.” Enzo walks to the exit, stopping at the threshold. “Goodbye, Riot. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Enz.”
He leaves, closing the door softly behind him—leaving me alone once more. With little else to do, I clean up the bottles lying around and take a long shower, trying not to let my mind wander to thoughts of Eloise and failing miserably. She’s under my skin and in my soul, and I hate the moments that pass by where she’s not in my arms, in my bed.
It’s nearing midnight once I’m through with my shower, but I’m not tired at all. I keep looking at my phone, hoping Eloise will call, yet knowing she won’t. I lay in bed for hours, staring up at the ceiling as my mind cycles through an endless loop of memories. My thoughts race, my brain wanders, and when I next look at my phone, it’s two in the morning.
“Fuck me,” I grumble, placing my phone face down on the nightstand and lying back in bed. I’m about to close my eyes when it happens.A text message.
I scramble for my phone, bringing it up to my face with shaking hands and a racing heart—only for it to drop into my stomach a moment later.
Unknown number.
Crestfallen, I’m about to toss my phone again when I look down, reading the preview.
Hey, rock star. It’s Eloise.
I read the text again and again, hardly able to believe it. I’m so stunned, it takes a moment for my brain to work and for me to figure out what to say. I’m in the middle of typing out a responsewhen she sends another—one that stops my heart dead in my chest.
I need to see you.
28
Eloise
Earlier…
My fingers dance across the keys, and the song I pull from the piano is just as anguished as the song in my heart.
