“Was it too much for you?” Tristan added, moving to stand next to Atlas.
They were asking about the murder of the man that had done the most heinous things imaginable to me. In all honesty, it wasn’t. It was cathartic. The rush I got from exacting my revenge gave me a high and I was happy only moments ago, but the news about Alex had sent me crashing back down.
“I’m fine. I just really need to use the ladies’ room.” I said, faking a little potty dance.
“You s... sure?” Tris asked, with a penetrating stare that went straight to my gut.
“Yes.” I said, giving them a smile I didn’t feel, “I’ll be right back.”
And just like that, I lied to them.Again.
Guilt gnawed at my gut as I walked through the restroom, and I felt it even more as I climbed through the fire escape. By the time I hopped into Jacob’s red camaro the tears had completely blurred my vision. and hopped into Jacob’s car.
“Where to?” Jacob asked, anxiety warbling his voice.
“Maria’s Cantina on second street.” I said, turning away so he couldn't see my face. “If anyone asks, tell them I ran away.”
I expected the feeling of guilt to lessen the further we got away from them, but it only kept ripping me further apart. I was doing this for Alex, for the only family I had left, so why did I feel like such a traitor?
Chapter 37
Stevie
After fifteen minutes of uncomfortable silence, we finally pulled up to the front of Maria’s Cantina. With its Spanish-styled architecture and stunning floral landscaping, the building itself was breath-taking. But that wasn’t the reason I was having trouble breathing.
This part of the city was like a ghost town, especially this early in the day. And apart from the few stranglers of people walking down the street, there was no one around. Not only was I about to go into this place blind, but if something were to go down, no one would be coming to my rescue.
I didn’t have time to linger on the ‘what-ifs’. It had been two days. Forty-eight entire fucking hours since she last called. Who knew if Alex would even still be there, let alone if she was still alive. But on the drive over, she didn’t answer any of my calls, and this place was the only genuine lead I had. I couldn’t afford to leave a single stone unturned.
After thanking Jacob for the ride and for letting me use his phone, I stepped out of the car on shaky knees and made my way inside. Passing through the bougainvillea wrapped archway, I followed the cobblestone path through the eerily quiet courtyard as my heart thundered in my chest.
Alex had to be here. She just fucking had to be.
Approaching the door with caution, I reached for the sleek metal handle and pulled, finding the door bolted shut. I peered into the tinted glass and saw nothing but empty tables shrouded in a dark room.
I tried knocking, seeing if that would help, but when no one answered the door, I knew something was wrong. I ran towards the side of the building, seeing if I could find another way in, but the back entrance was just as empty, with not a soul in sight.
Melanie had my sister and was doing god-knows-what to her, just to get to me. Alex was paying for my stupid mistakes and as I thought about what that could mean, tears came rushing to the surface. But I would not just wait here and let myself cry. I needed to take action. I needed to get Alex back, even if it was the last thing I ever did.
I stormed back to the front courtyard, refusing to take the silence for an answer. Melanie was in there and she was going to give Alex back right fucking now. I stomped up to the door and pounded on the glass as hard as I could.
“Where the fuck is she!” I screamed, slamming myself into the glass door. “Alex, if you’re in there, I’m going to get you out. I swear to god, she will rue the fucking day she stole you!”
I heard the loud crack before I felt it, and then the ringing in my ears started. As my body crumpled to the ground and my face smacked against the cobblestone walkway, my vision blurred and a bitter taste filled my mouth. My breathing became labored, and I blinked back tears as I tried to see my assailant. Blue patent-leather stilettos stepped into my line of sight just before my lids became too heavy and everything faded to darkness.
Chapter 38
Atlas
I should’ve been worried about the mess in the basement, but all I could think about was her. I wanted to taint Stevie from the moment I laid eyes on her. With her hair that smelled like honey and her perpetual scowl, the first night we met, all I could think about was throwing her against the counter and bringing her into hell with me. She was too innocent and way too good, but I wanted her anyway. And maybe that’s where I fucked up.
Slowly pacing the perimeter of our usual VIP lounge, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
“This isn’t like her.” I said, looking down at Tristan and Cyrus. “Something’s wrong.”
“S… she said she’s fine, bro.” Tris noted, trying to pull me out of my head. “Just s… sit down and take it easy.”
“I can’t take it easy.” I roared, darting my eyes between the both of them. “I know Stevie. Probably better than all of you do. The girl that just stalked into that restroom, wasn’t fucking her.”
