“Throw it in the bushes. I’ll buy you a new one,” Maiaoffered.
April smiled sadly. “If only it were that simple.” They continued through the maze of hallways following the signs that promised an exit. Finally, they managed to thrust open the double doors and enter the dark beforesunrise.
“Maia!”
Maia turned toward the call. Her mouth fell open. “London?”
He rushed her, which was kind of his job on the field, but she’d never been lifted off the ground with such power and tenderness all at once. He cocooned her in his arms and held her tight to hischest.
Maia couldn’t relax into his embrace. He had withheld information that put her in harm’s way. Sure, it was just a few slushies, but it could have been worse. He set her down and ran his hands over almost every inch of her. “Are you okay? I can’t tell you how worried I’ve been.” His hands traced her cheekbones, light as a kiss, and then down her neck as he inspectedher.
“I’m fine, too,” calledApril.
London smiled over Maia’s head. “Thank you, April. Your quick action was amazing. I’m going to use your video for trainingpurposes.”
April blushed. “I’m going to call an Uber and go back to the hotel. You good?” she askedMaia.
Maia took a deep breath, knowing her shower was postponed. “I’ll be fine.” London may have withheld information, but he would always be herprotector.
“There’s a diner on the corner. Do you want something warm to drink?” London offered. His eyes, a copy of his father’s, were rimmed with worry, and there were dark circles under his lowerlashes.
Maia glanced down at her dress. The night was shot. Her dress was ruined. And her hair wasn’t going to move—at all. “Whynot?”
They made their way down the street. Maia’s heel caught in a crack on the sidewalk and she stumbled forward. London caught her, saving her from face-planting on the concrete. He righted her faster than she fell and offered hisarm.
She eyed him warily. “I don’t know if we should.” Her body was on London’s side of things. She didn’t want to give her heart a chance to influence herdecision.
His face looked pained. “Falling is better than holding on to me? Maia, comeon.”
“Fine—but I’m mad at you.” She put her hand in the crook of hisarm.
“I’m mad at me,” hereplied.
“Don’t get cute with me, London.” His dad’s contorted face as he screamed at Maia through the glass, came back to her. “You’ve been hiding from me foryears.”
London pulled the diner door open. The floor was a checkerboard of black and white tiles, the seats navy blue, and the chrome accents cloudy with age. But the smell of hot coffee was strong. She sucked itin.
“You want a cup?” Londonasked.
She shook her head. “I had to give it up a couple years ago—it raises my stress hormones.” She sighed. Never had she been so tempted to cheat on her hormones. “I’ll take an herbaltea.”
He strolled to the counter to place their order while she found a booth. The seat sank like she weighed five hundred pounds, and she allowed her body to melt into it as she laid her head back andgroaned.
London set a cup down in front of her. She wrapped her hands around it, letting the steam wash over her face. “Thanks.”
He took the seat across from her, sinking even lower than she had. His startled look made her laugh, which lightened the mood she’d carried out of the police station like a heavy bag over hershoulder.
“London.” She sighed. “Your dad threw food atme.”
His lipstwitched.
“What is wrong with him?” She took a sip, letting the hot liquid clean her throat of a night of breathing human stenches and clothing soaked in cigarettesmoke.
London wagged his head side to side. “What’s right with him? The list isshorter.”
Maia took another sip, letting the silence work on him. And it was working. His mind was going a mile a minute, flashes of pain and confusion spinning in his eyes like a discoball.
He studied his clasped hands. “Heaven help me, Maia. I don’t talk about this—ever.” His full lower lip trembled. Her eyes jumped to his, expecting tears, but there weren’t any. Instead, there was a haunting. She shivered at the sight. She almost told him not to tell her; the horrors there were trulyterrifying.
