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I set my phone beside me.

The dog opens one eye.

“Don't listen to her. You were extremely helpful.”

His eye closes.

I stroke his head. “You're basically my accomplice now.”

His tail moves against the blanket.

“Although if anyone asks what I was doing today, I suppose I can just blame you.”

His good ear lifts.

“You're my alibi.”

His tail thumps.

My eyebrows rise. “Alibi.”

Another thump.

I sit straighter. “Oh my God.”

He lifts his head.

“That's your name.”

He stares at me.

“Alibi.”

His tail thumps harder.

I laugh. “You like it.”

He licks my hand. My heart melts.

“Okay, Alibi Quinn.” I kiss the top of his scruffy head. “Welcome to the family.”

23

ROMAN

Chaos really thinks I didn't see her. That's the part I can't get over.

I noticed the silver sedan four minutes after it started following me.

The driver kept too much distance at stoplights, then sped up whenever another car got between us.

Amateur. I could lose it in thirty seconds.

But I don’t.

Instead, I pretend to be oblivious.

I turn right.