It is clear she is doubting her decision to come with me, so I decide to tell her the truth. And after, if she wants to go back, she can call from the diner when Alex comes. But if her brother is so dangerous, then it is good she is with me.
"I don't really know how to say this, Lyndall. So, I'm just going to come out and say it. Enzo has been stalking me for years—influencing my life, manipulating me, and watching me. I think he's very dangerous."
"Lola..."
"Look, I know he's your brother, but we both have dangerous families. Or I did, too. So..."
There is not one drop of shock in her expression.
I grab her hand. "Talk to me."
Lyndall sighs. "I told Enzo this would happen."
I frown at Lyndall. "Wait, you knew about this?"
She shrugs and moves under a tree.
I follow her. "Lyndall? You knew?"
"I saw some photos. A couple. Of you. I teased him."
"You should have told me."
She shakes her head. "Told you what? He's my brother, and he's a good guy."
"Is he?"
She nods. "He's been trying to keep you safe?—"
"By stalking me? He had thousands of photos of me on his computer. That'snotnormal behavior."
We wait.
I know Lyndall has a thousand doubts. I know because I have them, too.
But Alex will show. I know it.
I don't know how long it is going to take him, and the diner's parking lot is mostly deserted as it is those few hoursbetween lunch and dinner. It reminds me of something that pops in summer and on weekends, but not so much in cooler months and weekdays.
It is one of the reasons we are not outside the diner.
If we were, we would stand out, someone might be able to describe us and the car we eventually get into.
And for someone like Enzo, it is all he will need.
A car pulls up, and I straighten, coming to a stop.
A man gets out, and I take one step toward him.
Then I see the gun in his hand.
It is pointed at me.
Even without the gun, I can tell he is big, greasy, and bad news. From the nondescript clothes to the smirk to the gun.
I try to shove Lyndall behind me, but she stands her ground.
"Lola, and you brought a tasty young thing." He gives me a shit-eating grin.
