“Did Silas send you this?”
“No. He’d never be foolish enough to leave me with evidence. It’s an old-school Polaroid. One night, I got home from work to find him sitting in my living room. Figuring out how he got inside no longer mattered once he showed me the picture.”
Memories of how I surprised her in her apartment that night, acting like a cocky asshole, slam into me like a battering ram.
She continues with the story. “He said the only way I’d ever see her alive again was to help them,” she pauses to swallow, then finishes, “cheat at the casino.”
Everything digital has a trail, so the method he used is smart. Right down to the damn camera.
“How did you end up with the photo on your phone?”
“I snapped this picture when he turned away from me to take a call.”
A slight hit of pride fills my chest. “Smart.”
“I figured I’d need evidence to show the police because my initial reaction wasno flipping way would I help them steal.”
“Then why didn’t you go to the cops after he left? Or call me?”
“First, I didn’t exactly trust you at the time. More importantly, he said they’d kill her if I did. And I believed him. He wasveryconvincing.” Her chin wobbles, but she presses on. “He also said they’d know if I contacted the cops because he would have someone watching me day and night. I couldn’t risk her.”
Lila’s eyes pinch shut, and she shakes her head almost imperceptibly. No doubt she’s reliving the desperation and fear she must have felt when faced with this horrible decision.
I long to comfort her. I should probably keep the physical space between us during this questioning, thus maintaining a professional distance. But I can’t fucking do that.
She’s mine, and she’s in pain. I’ll give her solace no matter the circumstances. Period.
After quickly erasing the inches separating us, I throw my arm over her shoulders and bring her body flush with mine. “It’s okay, cookie. I get it. You were scared.”
She sniffles. “I was terrified. And worse, I felt guilty because I was the dumb one who brought him into our lives, falling for his lies. He must have known I’d do anything to save her, especially since he saw how close we were. How much I depended on her. I thought she was all I had in life after Zara...”
My heart aches for her. Knowing how deeply Lila cares for Kenzie, she must have been a wreck. And I was such a fucking shit to her right when she needed me the most.
In retrospect, it was because of Kenzie that I convinced myself Lila was the enemy. Although I should be furious at my sister for her deceit—and I am—I’m more concerned for her. She must have been through some bad shit at the hands of monsters that can do the things they’ve done.
Nobody deserves that.
“How long did they keep her?” I ask.
“A little over five weeks.”
Damn.
“And you marked cards for them the entire time, right?”
“Started about a week later. I needed time to practice the movement without being noticed.”
“You were good. Pretty slick. I’ve seen the videos from the camera over your table. It’s no wonder you got away with it for so long.”
“I’m good with my hands.” Her voice holds a tinge of smugness, making me smile. “Remember your keys?”
“Ah, yes.The old dick grab pick pocket. How could I forget? One of my finest moments.”
“Sorry about that again. I honestly thought I had no choice. Silas gave her back to me that night. If you followed me, I didn’t know how he’d react.”
My law enforcement training takes over, quashing the odd pride I feel for her for duping me and the disdain I hold for myself for letting her.
“Go back for a second. Did he teach you how to mark the cards?”
