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He’s quiet for a beat. “I had friends, Aiden and Cole. They’re a bit eccentric and they managed to keep my mind off things.”
They must be the ones I saw in that Instagram picture Lucy showed me. I want to meet them one day, see how Asher lived without me.
“What type of things?” I ask.
“Like coming back and fucking you—those types of things, Reina.”
My cheeks heat, and I swallow back the impulse to say Then why didn’t you?
“How about you?” He pulls me out from my thoughts.
“What about me?”
“How was life for you?” He pauses. “Forget it, you don’t remember—”
“Lonely,” I cut him off.
His green gaze slides in my direction as if he didn’t expect me to say that.
Now that I’ve started, I can’t stop the flow of words. “I might not remember everything, but I clearly remember the loneliness and the fear about the possibility of never finding my sister. Those feelings ate at me from the inside out, but I had to keep up the façade everyone expects of me.”
“Not me.” His voice is low, deep, and so raw I feel it to my soul. “I like it better when you’re natural and uncut. Those masks will suffocate you one day. They’re not you.”
I fight the pull of tears as I gawk at him. How long have I waited for someone to tell me those exact words? Hell, how long have I waited for him to say anything similar to that?
“How do you know it’s not me?” I couldn’t speak louder even if I wanted to.
“I just do, Reina. I know you.”
And I know you.
But I don’t say that out loud. If I do, I’ll turn into an emotional mess and demand he cuddles me or something. We don’t have time for that under the circumstances.
The Mustang comes to a slow stop in the driveway. I retrieve my bag and step out of the car. As soon as the outside air assaults me, I stop in my tracks.
Detective Daniels.
He stands in front of a police car talking to one of the staff, Joe, who probably wouldn’t let him in.
Asher gets out and curses under his breath. “Get back in the car.”
You know what? I’ve had enough. That
detective doesn’t scare me. The thought of never finding my sister does.
“No,” I tell Asher.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I stride toward him, my entire body tightening as if hardening for the imminent battle.
“Miss Reina.” Joe seems taken aback at my appearance.
“Hey, Joe.” I greet him then focus on the detective. “Is there a reason for your visit?”
He narrows his eyes on me for a brief second before he masks his reaction. “Miss Ellis, I was hoping to talk to you.”
“Then talk. I’m all ears.”
“Have you recalled anything about what happened to you that night?” He retrieves the picture and the bracelet, shoving them in my face. “I’ll drag you into court with this and the DNA.”
