As Cade and Silas talk to each other, I know what I have to do.
It doesn't matter that Lola wants nothing to do with me. It doesn't matter that we will never have a future together.
As long as she has a future.
And for that, I need to find her.
Before Dom does.
Chapter Five
LOLA
There'sno word on a kidnapped girl on the TV in the motel, in the papers, or even online.
I need to get out of here, hitchhike to my new destination.
I've paid up to tomorrow, but I'm leaving in an hour, and I keep smoothing out the piece of paper I dropped in my bag.
Silas's number.
I didn't program it in because I don't want to accidentally call that one. Even having Ruby's number is a risk because I could see myself calling. But that one I can hold off on.
She'll have a million questions. And she's connected to Enzo.
So is Silas.
But the risk with him is he has real answers, and the questions throb in me.
What happened with Lyndall is my fault, and what might be happening is also my fault.
I know the name Marino can make men tremble, so I'm hoping she's okay. And it's clear the man wasn't after her.
Even if he said she was interested...
I close my eyes and pull on the baseball cap, gather my things, and head out, dropping the keys in the overnight slot.
There's a gas station on the edge of town, and I buy a burner there.
The sun is getting a little low, but it's not close to sunset, just late afternoon.
I get some soup and coffee at a hole-in-the-wall diner, smooth the paper out, pull the phone from its wrapping, and fire it up.
Then I pocket it, scoop up the saltines, and pay. I leave, making sure to tip.
I decide to walk a little further along the highway, and I call Silas.
"Yeah?"
There's no hello or proper greeting, and it hollows me out, especially the terseness in his voice.
I'm gripped by ice, and I stumble to a stop, pushing out the words. "Silas, i-it's Lola."
"Lola." His tone changes. "Where are you? Is everything okay? You need to let us get you?—"
"No." I suck in a deep breath. "I-is Lyndall okay? I keep looking in the news, but there's nothing. Did...did I help?"
"You mean after you got her kidnapped?" But there's no sting in his words. "She's fine."
