I had to remind myself that I’d had worse. Just a number of weeks ago, I was pleading with whatever higher power I could that my next breath would be my last.
What I really wanted to do was curl up on the couch, or back in the Ryker’s bed. Preferably with him.
“Let me make you a deal,” Scarlett said. Had she been able to read me that well? Probably so. Steven always said I was easy.
Easy to steal and hide away. Easy to train. Easy in bed.
I learned fast, yet he was never happy. So, in the end, I stopped trying. There had been no point any longer. Not without Enzo.
I lifted my tired eyes to hers.
“You can look at these,” she tapped the folder, “with or without me. I just want to know if you know anyone. More for my peace of mind, and for my friend.”
“What friend?”
“Well, two friends, really.” She paused, tipping her head to the side. “My newest friend feels like he’s super alone. He knew a few of the men you pointed out. When it’s safe, I’d like the two of you to meet. My other friend, who I’ve known for years, is great at finding people for me.”
“Collin?” Ryker asked.
“Yep.” Scarlett lifted her gaze to his. “He’s on our side. I can leave this here and come back tomorrow. You can just write their names under the pictures, if you know who they are.”
“I’ll do it now.” Might as well get it over with.
“You don’t—” Ryker began.
“Please.” I had to, or I feared I wouldn’t be able to.
I took the chance to curl up against Ryker, the folder on my lap. it was hard to see through the pounding in my skull, but with Ryker next to me, I’d deal with the pain.
Most of these people were younger than me. Children, even.
Thankfully, none of them had crossed my path. I knew Steven was evil, but he didn’t touch young people, as far as I knew.
“I’m ready whenever you are, hon.” Scarlett’s encouraging voice helped ground me as much as Ryker’s presence next to me.
With a deep breath, I turned the page. On the second page, I pointed out one that I knew, but I had no clue if he was still alive or not.
“He was there when I arrived. Jordan. I don’t know anything else. He was there, then when I woke up, he never returned.”
Scarlett jotted something down as I turned the page.
My breath caught. I’d know him anywhere. Tanned skin, like he was always out in the sun. Light hazel eyes with the thickest eyelashes ever created. Slightly bent nose.
“Enzo.” I ran a finger down the side of the picture.
Why had I let him talk me into doing what I did? Did he know how much it’d kill me inside to do so?
“You were with him.” Not a question.
All I could do was nod, my voice lost.
Living on the street as he had, he would pretty much have done anything to get a full meal and a warm place to sleep. “I tricked him to go with Steven. It’s my fault. He’d still be alive if it weren’t for me.”
“You think he’s dead?” Scarlett asked, surprise clouding her voice.
“Yes.” I lifted my head, not fighting the tears that threatened to fall. “I was the one to kill him. Hebeggedme to, just so I could keep my own life. It was him or me.”
“You know that’s not your fault, right? You were forced to.”
