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That made sense. “But where’s Scott?” she wondered.
“I’m guessing he’s hiding out or—”
“Or dead,” she finished grimly.
“If he’s still alive, where do you think he’d go? Any family or friends?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. His parents both passed away in a car accident and he didn’t have any siblings. He never mentioned any close friends. I specifically remember asking him about that before we got married—whether he wanted anyone to be there. He said no, and that he wanted it to be just the two of us at the courthouse.” She forced a wry, half-smile. “How romantic, right?”
Lex’s eyes narrowed slightly before he turned away, looking through the mess. “Not gonna lie,” he rumbled, bending over to pick up some discarded papers, “it sounds to me like your ex is a useless prick.”
Summer sucked in a breath, wishing for fresh air instead of the sour trash smell, and wrung her hands. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”
He straightened, took two steps forward, completely invading her space, and lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look at him. “I’m here because I want to help you, Summer. You didn’t drag me into anything. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay,” he repeated, and for a long moment, he held her gaze. His blue eyes softened. “You’re going to be just fine.”
His hand dropped away and her shoulders sagged. But what about you? If he got hurt while trying to help her, she’d never forgive herself.
Swallowing hard, she looked around, feeling lost. “What’re we searching for?” she asked.
“Anything that could lead us to your ex. Some kind of clue.” He lifted a dresser drawer, moving it aside, and pawed through the scattered clothes beneath it. “Look for anything suspicious.”
Suspicious. Right.
Moving toward the counter space in the miniscule area that served as a kitchen, she began sifting through the already open drawers and cupboards. As she searched, she found a small notepad advertising a nearby casino, and she remembered how Scott used to doodle sometimes. But, for whatever reason, he always started in the middle, never on the top page.
Picking up the pad, she flipped through it, and when she reached the center, she saw a note scrawled there in Scott’s sloppy handwriting. She doubted anyone but her could decipher his scribble, probably because she’d worked with doctors who often had illegible writing. Squinting, she read his mess of nearly indecipherable letters and numbers.
“Lex! I think I found something.” He came straight over, stepping over an overturned chair.
“What the hell does that even say?”
“Mack’s Body Shop & Junkyard. And an address.”
“Shit. I thought I had bad handwriting.”
“What do you think?” she asked, looking up at him.
“I think you’re probably right.” He carefully tore the page free, plucked his phone out, and typed the address in before tucking the paper in his jacket pocket. “It’s right outside the city, in the desert. We should definitely check it out. Good job, Summer.”
He sent her a smile that made her pulse race, and she couldn’t help but smile at his praise. “Thanks,” she murmured, standing a little taller.
“C’mon.” He took her hand again, guiding her out and down to the car. She hopped back inside the SUV, more than ready to escape the seedy neighborhood.
They’d barely driven two blocks before Lex looked into the rearview mirror and growled, “I think we’re being followed.”
Chapter twelve
“Stay down,” Lex warned her, hitting the gas pedal and spinning the SUV around the nearest corner.
“Why is everyone always following us?” Summer cried, sinking down in her seat.
Good question. Lex didn’t think it was an “us” situation, though. More like a “her” issue. Or more accurately, a “her ex” issue. And when he finally got his hands on that loser, he was going to make sure he paid for dragging her into his bullshit.
“I was just wondering the same thing.” He raced through a light as it turned red. The dark blue SUV followed, zipping right through the intersection. “How many people are after you?”
