She shrugs, keeping her gaze on the gravel driveway. “Long day.”
I nod. We sit there for a moment in silence, the sounds of the party muffled behind us.
“He said he’d be here,” she says after a while, her voice small.
“I know.”
She glances at me, and for a heartbeat I see the hurt she’s trying to hide. I want to tell her she deserves better, that Jinn isn’t worth this kind of waiting. But I don’t say it. I never do.
“He’s running a new job,” I say instead, voice low. “Something risky. I tried to talk him down.”
Carrie nods. “He’ll do what he wants.”
“That’s always been his problem.”
She gives a little smile, the kind that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “At least you tried.”
I want to reach out, to take her hand, but I stop myself. Some lines you don’t cross.
“You know Marcy was looking for you,” I say, remembering the hallway just a few minutes ago.
Carrie doesn’t even look up. “I’m right here. She didn’t come by.”
That’s strange. I frown, glancing back toward the house. Marcy asked me herself if I’d seen Carrie, and she seemed in a hurry. Now she’s vanished, and Carrie hasn’t seen her at all. Maybe I’m reading into things, but it doesn’t sit right.
Carrie stands, brushing her palms on her jeans. “Where did you say Jinn was?”
I push off the railing. “He went out back. Wanted to take a call or something, didn’t say much.”
She nods, her jaw set. “Thanks, JC.”
I watch as Carrie heads back inside, determination in her stride now. She pushes through the crowded main room, her eyes scanning faces, already searching for Jinn.
Blade is near the bar, leaning back against the counter, his arms crossed and his gaze sweeping over the party. He’s the type who draws attention without even trying—tattoos on display, grin always half a dare. For a split second, I see him notice Carrie coming his way. There’s something about the way his posture shifts, like he’s debating whether to say something, maybe even reach out.
But she just moves past him, barely slowing down. Her focus is on the hallway that leads toward the back exit, the place I told her Jinn went.
Blade watches her go, his expression unreadable, and then glances at me. I shrug, as if to say, “Don’t ask me, man,” and he turns back to his drink.
3
CARRIE
Inside the clubhouse, the air feels heavier, buzzing with music and voices. I weave through the crowd, barely noticing the way people shift to make room for me. My whole body feels on edge, every nerve tuned to one thing: finding Jinn.
I catch sight of Blade near the bar, tattoos and attitude on full display. For a split second, his eyes catch mine with something I can’t quite read. He looks like he wants to say something, maybe ask if I’m okay. But I don’t slow down.
I pass Blade without really seeing him, my eyes fixed ahead, my mind caught between too many possibilities. Jinn’s late. He barely looked at me when he walked in. Now he’s vanished again. None of it makes sense. JC said he was out back, taking a call. Maybe that’s true. Maybe I’m being paranoid. But something about the way JC looked at me, the way he hesitated when I asked, it sticks.
The voices around me fade as I move deeper into the clubhouse. It’s crowded tonight, but somehow I feel alone. Not just alone—exposed. Like there’s something big coming and I’m the last one to know.
My footsteps slow as I approach the stairs. My chest tightens with each step, anxiety wrapping around my ribs like barbed wire. I don’t know what I expect to find. Maybe he’s just lying down. Maybe he’s on a call. Maybe?—
The second floor is quiet. Too quiet. The laughter and music from below are muted here, like I’ve stepped into a different world.
I reach the end of the hallway and pause in front of Jinn’s door. It’s cracked open just a little, the light inside glowing faintly across the floor. I raise a hand, meaning to knock, but something in me stops. There’s a sound. A voice. No, two voices. A moan.
My stomach flips.
