It was just after ten. The crescent moon hovered over Portland, disappearing behind a string of clouds every few minutes or so. The air was damp and cooler than it had beenin Astoria. I was still in my funeral dress. Margo had managed to change out of her funeral attire into her regular black attire, which featured ripped black jeans and a band T-shirt from the ’90s. She’d swooped her pin-straight hair into a high ponytail and hooked a stun gun to her hip. And her feet were covered by a pair of black Docs that looked extremely uncomfortable. Carrie had also changed out of her funeral outfit into a pair of light-washed jeans and a yellow sweatshirt that saidIt’s time to dilly dally. During the meal, while I went table to table beside Margie, I managed to ask the girls if they would help me with something.
I still didn’t know what the hell I was doing here.
It wasn’t like he was going to tell me anything.
I just needed to know what efforts he’d put into finding me. My conscience needed to know how much time he wasted. And money, and Red Snake’s resources. Perhaps, when I had the guts to make that damn phone call, I could negotiate a reimbursement of some kind.
“Yeah, Hayes clocked my lie the second it left my lips, babe,” Margo deadpanned, cocking her head at me. “We’ve never hung out before, Angel. Do you think that all of a sudden, he’s going to believe that you wanted me to come over for wine and a movie night?”
I wish he did.
But my life was a never-ending nightmare, it seemed.
My lips thinned as Carrie added, “Grayson knows where I am.” Margo and I looked back at her. Carrie gave us a look. “This man is going to be my husband in a few months. Do you honestly think he doesn’t know where I am at all times?”
“Please don’t tell me he put a tracker on you,” Margo groaned.
“It is quite invasive,” I muttered, picking my cuticle, trying not to freak the hell out.
“No, no. It’s not that. I mean, yes. It is that, but if Grayson did it to Carrie, then it’s only a matter of time before Superman tries to put that shit on me.”
I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in my seat, staring up at the building, the home of Red Snake Investigations. “To be honest, I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing.” The women fell quiet as I chewed on my lip for a moment. “I don’t—there’s something happening between Ash and me. Something monumental.”
And I owe him more than my life.
“Well, look at everything you’ve been through,” Carrie reminded me softly.
Shaking my head, I said, “No. It’s more than that. I’ve thought about it for so long, wondering whether the feelings I’ve tried to bury for years were solely formed out of adrenaline, out of trauma.” I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. “But over the last few weeks, since Ash came back into my life, I’ve realized these feelings didn’t manifest because he saved my life.” I paused, my heart singing, beckoning him. “They exist because he does.”
Carrie made a sound. I looked up just in time to see her covering her mouth, stifling a whimper.
“Have you told him this?” Margo asked. “Is that why we’re here?”
“No, I haven’t. And no, that’s not why we’re here.”
They looked confused. I took off my seat belt and twisted in my seat, running a hand through my hair. “I’m going to assume Hayes and Grayson don’t tell you anything about their cases.”
“They’re bound by law not to,” Carrie answered.
“Well, I know Red Snake took over Felix’s homicide case or they’re partnering with the sheriff’s office,” I explained. I knew it was wrong to make this about Felix, but I needed a good cover-up. At least until things straightened themselves out. “When…the day Felix’s body was found, Sheriff Humbly and Red Snake were at my house. Michael needed to take my statement as well as ask me a few questions. I wasn’t in my right mind, and Ash knew this.” In the dark, my cheeks grew warm, the memory of him pinning me against the door flashing before my eyes. “He told me to take the time I needed, and Jake had called him. He went back downstairs, and I heard arguing…”
“Arguing?” Margo parroted. “Over what?”
“It’s because of you, Angel,” Carrie revealed.
My eyes met her blue ones. “What do you mean?”
“Red Snake is stepping in on this case because Felix was your friend.”
I blinked. “What does that have to do with anything? Am I a suspect?” My stomach tightened. “I’ve never hurt anyone before. How could I—”
Carrie reached over and grabbed my hand. “You’re not a suspect, but given how you came into Ash’s life, Red Snake isn’t willing to take any chances.”
It clicked then, and I could feel the blood draining from my face. “Do you think I’m in danger?”
That man’s horrid face, one I’d spent years trying to erase from my memory, was swimming up to the surface, and I could practically feel the silk sheets of the bed he’d shackled me to. There was no way Benson knew I was here. I’d covered my tracks. I’d done what I was told.
“No,” Margo pushed, shaking her head. “The boys are just cautious, that’s all.”
