Her eyes met mine, glassy and defiant. “I started using it. Not because I wanted to. Because I couldn’t sleep or breathe. I was drowning.”
I reached across the table to put my hand over her fidgety one.
“I want to get clean,” she whispered. “I want out. I want to do musicfor real.”
“You will,” I said. “But listen to me, Nyla. I’m not putting your name out there.”
“But—”
“I know what you’re thinking—that using your name will get more attention. That’s true, but the media will tear you apart. They’ll use your addiction to discredit you. They’ll say you’re unstable, unreliable, maybe even complicit. I’ve seen it happen. I won’t let it happen to you, especially not when you’ll be focused on getting clean and getting your life together.”
Her lips trembled, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of hope in her eyes. “You really think I can?”
“Youwill. I’ll be there for you in any way I can. I promise.”
Nyla nodded slowly, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Thank you.”
Nyla and I parted ways after I promised her I’d talk with Lincoln about getting her away from the people hurting her. This was his area of expertise. He knew how to get these things done. I just knew how to use my words to get justice…
While I hated pulling him any deeper into this mess, I didn’t know where else to turn. Getting out of my car, I checked Lincoln’s reserved parking spot. It was empty. I hoped he would be home early today, so we could talk. Before I made the trek to the apartment building, I called him.
He answered on the first ring, and I smiled.
“Hey,” he greeted. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. You weren’t waiting for my call with your phone in hand, were you?” I joked. However, his silence said he was.
He sighed. “I was a little on edge about you meeting Nyla on your own. You should have let me provide security.”
“I know you really wanted to, but I didn’t want to spook her, Lincoln.” It was a risk meeting up with her alone, considering she could have changed her mind and alerted the people managing her to my investigation. “The meeting went well. She’s still on board. Speaking of security… I need a favor.”
“Consider it done.”
I nibbled my bottom lip. “You don’t even know what it is. And it’s not so much for me…”
“Hey, what did I tell you back in Springfield? I’ve got your back one hundred percent.”
I softened, almost melted like hot butter on the pavement. “I love you,” I breathed, because I just couldn’t keep the words in.
He inhaled as if soaking up the words. “I love you, too.”
“I’m back at your place. Hurry home.”
“Hurry, huh? You got something for me?”
“Guess you’ll have to come home to find that out…” I purred in the sexiest, most suggestive tone I could muster.
His hum of pleasure made me smile. “I will most certainly hurry.”
Even after I hung up, I couldn’t wipe the big, silly grin off my face. Fetching my handbag, I headed toward the building. Before I reached the door, I froze. My next breath escaped in a whoosh of terror. Derek stood by the door, staring at me.
“No, not again,” I groaned. I thought after he got his ass handed to him, he had given up. But here he was… clearly still hellbent on tormenting me. The worst part was that he knew where Lincoln lived.
He pushed off the wall and took a step toward me.
I searched for an escape. If I could get inside, security would handle the rest. But there was no getting around Derek. Instead, I took a retreating step as he advanced.
“Ava, we need to talk.”
