On my second drive through, a familiar graffiti skeleton catches my gaze, and I slow. The same abandoned parking lot I parked in last time I was here approaches.
My thumb raps the steering wheel, and I slide my teeth across my lip as a thought occurs to me. Even if I find Eva, I might be able to stall Paul for a while, but that’s not enough. Paul is new territory. He was in my fuckinghouse, in the same room as her. I have no clue how long he’s been after her or how closely he’s been watching. I can’t underestimate how dangerous he is, and I can’t fuck this up.
The bitter image of Eva in my bedroom, wrapped in someone else’s arms, resurfaces in my mind, lingering.
Festering.
It took over three years for Eva to let me hold her. Whatever that guy, Alejandro, did to earn that kind of trust from her must have taken time.History. If they were together in The Pitts, he knows things about her—and Paul—that could mean the difference in making sure she stays safe for good.
Making a decision, I veer into the parking lot. Anything beyond Eva’s safety doesn’t matter now. Alejandro might have been her past, but I’m her future.
And I’ll make sure he knows it.
Locking the car, I pace down the cracked sidewalk and turn into a familiar alley. I don’t stop until I reach the same steel door I last saw Eva approach. That night, I couldn’t get close enough to see much without giving myself away. Today, the alley is dead, aside from a homeless person who’s sleeping next to a dumpster.
Releasing a breath, I raise my fist to the dented door and bang three times. I wait a moment, and when no one answers, I start to knock again, but the door is pulled open.
A stalky man with scars that pepper his face eyes me skeptically.
“I’m looking for Alejandro.”
His jaw flexes. “There’s no Alejandro here.” He moves to shut the door, but I block it with my foot. He narrows his eyes.
“You and I both know that’s not true. A girl came here for him recently. She needs his help.”
He watches me coolly, but a subtle current of curiosity flashes in his gaze. He knows who I’m talking about.
“You look like a fucking cop,” he accuses.
“Well, I’m not.”Not yet. “I’m a fucking high school student. So, can you get him or not?”
He folds his arms across his chest. “Who are you?”
“I’m here for Eva. That’s all he needs to know.”
“Pretty stupid coming here with his name, you know.”
I grit my jaw, and frustration courses through me. I don’t have time for bullshit.Evadoesn’t have time. “Tell him her fucking life is in danger. That should get him to the door.”
The man chuckles. “You really think he’s here? In this building?”
My gaze narrows, and he shakes his head.
“Man, you have no idea.” He pushes out a sigh and mutters, “This girl, she’s always in some kinda trouble, isn’t she?” Pulling a folded piece of paper and a pen from his pocket, he hands them to me. “Write your number on the back, but I make no promises.”
I scribble my info down, then hand the paper and pen back to him. “Thank you.”
He nods, and I start to walk away.
“Hey.”
I pause and look back at him.
“No bullshit. Is her life really in danger?”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”
His lips thin, and he gives another nod before he disappears into the club.
