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Feeling gut sick, he followed her directions. As he passed the bus stop, he realized her place was still nearly half a mile away. She walked that distance every day, at all hours, to catch her ride? How had she managed without being mugged, raped, or murdered?
When they turned down her street, the cracked road ran between dilapidated houses, all locked down with bars on their windows and doors, as if the inhabitants intended to ward off an imminent home invasion. In front of one rickety place, he saw a box of random trash and a ratty mattress. In front of another sat a sedan missing its rims.
“It’s the big pink place on the left,” she murmured.
The dive with the dumpster at the curb and “guarded” by rusted gates?
Beck slanted him a shocked gaze Seth totally understood. Sure, he’d been in neighborhoods like this. Once upon a time, he’d been a cop for the NYPD. But he’d never come to gang turf without backup. And he’d never cruised into the hood because the girl he dated lived there.
No fucking way he would leave Heavenly in this hellhole unprotected, but he couldn’t exactly take her to his new one-bedroom bachelor pad, either. He’d have no room for her father.
As he eased the car to the curb and killed the engine, his thoughts raced. Maybe he should offer to sleep on her couch, gun at the ready. If he did, would his SUV still be intact when the sun rose?
When Heavenly eased from the backseat and helped her father out, Seth glanced at Beck, who was clearly doing similar mental gymnastics.
“If you have a couple of assault rifles, pass ’em out,” the doctor mumbled. “We might need them to make it inside her place.”
“No shit. I can’t believe she lives here.”
“Not for much longer.”
Seth nodded. “You got that right.”
As soon as he locked the SUV, he rushed to help Abel. Beck followed suit. They both wrapped a strong arm around the frail man and helped him to the wrought-iron gate. As a security feature, it was a joke. A good kick would send the decaying metal skittering across the walkway. But Heavenly dutifully inserted her key and turned the handle. The hinges squeaked as they ushered her dad into the shoddy courtyard. The gate slammed behind them with a rattling clang.
Christ, Seth had to believe Heavenly had some reason beyond her pride for concealing her father’s health and her crime-ridden neighborhood. Neither he nor Beck had been able to persuade her to confide in them for months. He was loath to partner up with Dr. Dipshit…but would it take them both to finally get answers?
They led Abel along a chipped pink stucco wall, following Heavenly to the second apartment on the right. As she reached the door, she faltered at the sight of a bright orange notice on the door that read RENT OVERDUE. Heavenly ripped it down, crumpled the paper in her fist, and shoved a key into the knob.
“What’s that about, boo?” Concern laced Abel’s voice.
“Nothing, Dad. I’ve just been busy. I’ll take care of it.”
“Wait until tomorrow. You need rest, too.”
“It’s fine. Mr. Sanchez’s lights are still on. See?” She pointed.
Her hand trembled.
Heavenly pushed the portal open and flipped on an overhead light. Cockroaches scurried to darkened corners of the painfully tidy studio apartment. A mussed hospital bed dominated the space. Water spots stained the ceiling. Paint peeled from the dingy walls. Seth feared what he’d find if he took a black light to the carpet.
The place was a shithole. And his angel lived here.
“Can you settle Dad on the bed? Then I’ll adjust him until he’s comfortable,” Heavenly murmured.
Seth nodded, pressing his lips together in mute anger. It ticked up another notch when he spotted the lumpy pillow and thin, folded blanket stacked on the sagging couch against the wall. He had no doubt Heavenly slept there.
This reality got uglier with every passing moment.
“I know how to maneuver a hospital bed,” Beck said as he and Seth helped Abel onto the mattress. “Relax, little girl.”
“Actually, if you two don’t mind staying with Dad for a few minutes, I’ll pop across the courtyard and deal with last month’s rent.” Heavenly’s voice shook.
With stress? Exhaustion? Embarrassment? Seth’s gut coiled tight. Why was she paying the rent at two a.m.? He didn’t like it.
“We’ll get your dad settled in,” Beck promised.
“Thanks.” Heavenly’s pensive expression was the last thing he saw before she hurried out the door.
He and Beck exchanged a concerned glance. Yeah, the doctor suspected something wasn’t right, too.
Beck removed the older man’s shoes. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Water, thank you. Clean glasses are in the cabinet to the left of the sink. Help yourselves.” As Beck crossed the room, Abel regarded Seth, then gestured to a battered kitchen table. “Grab a couple of those chairs, make yourselves comfortable.”
