Page 113 of When a Soul Cries

I thought quickly.

There was a laundromat a few blocks away.

“Palmer and Ninth,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t hear the lie in my voice.

Rome’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s where you live?” he asked, studying me.

I stared straight ahead. “That’s where I’m going.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Rome replied, suspicion settling across his face.

I swallowed.

“Can you please just take me there?” I asked, finally looking at him long enough for him to see how tired I was.

He watched me long enough to make my skin crawl.

Then he put the SUV in drive.

Neither of us spoke again.

When we reached Palmer and Ninth, I pointed toward the laundromat.

“Here,” I said quickly.

Rome slowed and looked around.

His eyes moved over the laundromat.

The liquor store.

The boarded-up building across the street.

Then back to me.

“Sol,” he said slowly, suspicion heavy in my name.

“Thank you for the ride,” I said, already reaching for the door before he could question me.

I opened the door.

“Wait,” Rome said sharply, turning toward me.

I climbed out with Halo before he could stop me.

“Sol,” he called after me, frustration mixing with concern.

I shut the door.

Then I walked.

I didn’t look back.

Not once.

I waited until I heard the SUV pull away before turning down the next street.