“Drugs,” my dad chimes in, twisting in his chair.
“Or murder.”
The three of us are silent for a beat, before I ask, “Do you have an ID on the broker?”
I’m hoping he’ll experience a lapse in judgement and fill me into the more classified details of the case, but I quickly realize I’m being optimistic since my dad never shares too many details about unless they’re closed or have gone cold.
As suspected, he shakes his head. “You know better, Lux.”
I flash him an innocent smile. “I thought I’d try.”
“I already tell you two too much.” He sighs. “But sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone about them.”
Stevie and I smile. “Yes, we know, Dad.”
We spend the next hour eating and chatting before I notice the time. River didn’t tell me when I should be expecting him, but I’d rather be ready whenever that is. Right as I think to excuse myself and call it a night, my phone vibrates with a new message.
I finish stashing away the leftovers inside my dad’s personal refrigerator next to his desk but stay crouched down to grab my phone from my back pocket. My eyes dart to my dad and sister to see they’re engaged in conversation about the summer thunderstorm we’re expected to get, before I open River’s message.
Unknown: You’re not home. I’m here.
Me: I’ll be back in twenty.
Unknown: Say hi to Lieutenant for me.
How does he know I’m here?
I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, but it doesn’t stop the unease settling in the pit of my stomach over what I’ve gotten myself into.
“I have to head out,” I announce as I stand. “My book isn’t going to write itself.”
“Yeah, I should get back to work. This crime isn’t going to solveitself.” A rumble from a full belly laugh has Stevie and I exchanging side glances at his flat humor. He swipes a napkin across the corner of his lips and rises from his chair, his arms wide. “Thank you, girls, for stopping by to bring your old man dinner.”
I step into his embrace first still a little uneasy about being touched, but giving him a bear hug before drawing back and hooking an arm around my sister. After a quick embrace, I swiftly exit toward the door. “Bye, Dad. Text you later, Stevie.”
I’ve barely made it to my car when another text comes in.
Unknown: See you soon.
No more hiding behind my keyboard with dark thoughts, or living day-to-day with an unfulfilled longing. Fleeing from the double doors of the police station, my feet carry me into a night of unpredictability.
Chapter 13
Lux
It feels like there’s a ball of cotton lodged in my throat from nerves during the entire drive home, and it only becomes larger the second my eyes land on River’s slick black car.
Once I pull into the garage, I wonder if I should leave the door open for him to come in or if I should meet him at this car. But after a quick debate on whether to text him, his black-cladded figure steps out onto the wet, shimmering street. He makes his way toward me, the heavy droplets of rain pelting down on him while he remains unfazed.
“Hello, Lux.” He says my name with a smoothness that rolls down my throat, coating the dryness.
“River,” I manage to return. My heart is pounding against the back of my ribcage.
“I brought you something.” He lifts the sleek black bag clutched in his hand that I hadn’t noticed before.
My pulse quickens, curious about what it could be. “What is it?”
“Let’s go inside,” he tells me with a steady confidence as he walks past me and toward the door like he’s more familiar with my place than I am. With a weighted breath, I close my garage, then slip in front to remind him this is my space. His heavy footfalls are not far behind mine, and with each thud in the concrete floor my heart skips a beat. When we reach the steps leading to the door to the house, I pause for a moment and rethink about letting him into my home.
