Chewing on my bottom lip, I quickly retrieve the sketch I made earlier from my purse. With a few taps on my phone, I send it over to Nick.
A tense silence hangs in the air before Nick speaks again. “Listen, Alyssa. I need you to get out of Florida. Now. It’s not safe for you there.”
I hesitate, weighing his words carefully. “We can’t leave yet. We’re meeting Ian’s mom tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ve seen something similar to this before, and the people it was attached to are dangerous, Alyssa.” I hear him curse under his breath, and then he says, “These are the sorts of people that won’t hesitate to silence anyone who tries to out their secrets.” Nick’s voice crackles over the phone, laden with concern.
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I understand. I’ll proceed with caution.”
“I don’t think you do understand. I’m serious, Alyssa. These people play by their own rules. You’re playing with fire.”
“Nick,” I say, voice hard and determined. “I hear what you’re saying, and I do recognize the danger. I appreciate you and your words, but I promise, I can take care of myself.”
There’s a resigned sigh on the other end of the line. “Fine. But please be careful, Alyssa. I mean it. They have connections in high places.”
I wonder if he’s alluding to the government, but I don’t ask, understanding his deliberate ambiguity.
“We’ll catch the people behind this. I promise you that.” I can hear the determination in Nick’s voice as he vows to uncover the truth.
“Has the second body been discovered?”
“No. Nothing yet. Have you seen anything else that could tell us who she is?”
“Unfortunately, no,” I reply, stifling a yawn.
“Get some rest. Call me if you find anything else that could be helpful.”
“I will. Good night, Nick.”
As we hang up, a sense of purpose washes over me. First, we’ll find Ian, and then I’m going to help Nick take down Chelsea’s murderer.
19
Ten of Cups…Reversed
Nick
Little Zoey wigglesin my arms, trying to break free despite my hold on her. Today is her first birthday, and I got cleared for a day off so that I could be here with my family to celebrate.
She’s an animal, zipping all over the place, getting into shit she shouldn’t. Which is why I’m holding her while my mom and sister prepare the birthday dinner.
“You can put her down, Nick. She’ll be fine,” Jackie says, pulling homemade pizza from the oven. “She’s far steadier on her feet than you’d expect.”
“Where’s Joe and Dad? Surely, they’d love to pull themselves away from the TV to watch her,” I tease, knowing exactly the kind of reaction we’d get by even suggesting it.
Joe also has the night off, and that man never gets shorted his breaks. And rightfully so. He works hard. Both men will inevitably grumble when Mom insists that we all join her around my sister’s dining table that she’s worked tirelessly to make a showpiece worthy of HGTV in honor of our favorite toddler’s big birthday.
“No way. Don’t interrupt them.” Our mom rushes toward me. “It’s my turn. Come here, Zo-bug,” she coos, arms outstretched.
Zoey looks up at me with the largest cerulean eyes I’ve ever seen. Her full lips are puckered as if to say,Don’t you dare let go of me.I hand her over reluctantly, hating the way her puppy-dog eyes appear to plead for me to keep her.
“I wasn’t being serious. And for the record, I like holding my niece,” I say, as she’s snapped from my hold by my domineering mother.
I’ve been so busy lately that I have hardly seen her. When they say time flies, they aren’t kidding when it comes to kids. I swear Zoey was just born yesterday, and here she is already walking.
“Aww…did you have fun with Uncle Nicky?”
My nose scrunches. “Don’t call me that.”
