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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CYRUS
Seeing her break as I just stood and watched was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever had to do, but she told me to go—told me not to look back—but it isn’t looking back if I never left, is it? I understand her eagerness to fix this and clean up the mess I made, but I refuse to let her do it alone. Sliding my phone from my pocket, I dial a number I hope to never see again after this.
It rings a couple of times before he finally answers. “Carmen?”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The desperation in his voice makes me remember how much he actually cares about her and why I’m even doing this in the first place. “No. She’s in trouble, and I need help.”
The line goes silent for a beat. “Can you meet me at my place?”
“I don’t have wheels. I left my car with my brother, and the cops are all over Carmen’s place, so I can’t take hers.”
“Cops? What happened?”
“Can you meet me somewhere or what, Bradley? Because time is fucking sensitive right now,” I snap.
He scoffs. “Fine, but only because she needs help. Not you.”
“She’s all I’m worried about, but I need you to do something first.” When he stays silent, I take it as my cue to continue. “The cameras at her place. Can you wipe them?”
“If you’re trying to hide something, wiping them wouldn’t be the best thing. I can hack the security company’s system and put them on a loop though. It’ll keep anyone who sees them from asking questions.”
“How long will it take?” I ask, still watching from the line of trees next to her house as the cops finally make their way inside.
“Depends on how good their system is, but let’s say maybe thirty minutes. I’m good at what I do.”
“And what if they’re unplugged from the house before then? Will it still work?”
“If the data is collected wirelessly and stored at the company’s location, then yes. But if it’s stored on something like a SIM card, I won’t be able to do shit unless it’s plugged in and running.”
I nod. “Then let’s hope it’s wireless because the cops just went inside, and I’m sure that’s the first thing they’ll be looking into. Call me if you run into any problems.”
I go to hang up, but his voice stops me. “What about Ghost? Shouldn’t we only talk about this shit in person?”
“Ghost is gone. That’s all you need to know right now.”
“Okay… Where am I supposed to meet you when I finish this?”
“I’ll let you know.” I end the call and shove my phone back in my pocket.
Right now, there is only one place I can go, so I start walking.
Carter’s place isn’t too far, but on foot it’s not very close either. When I’m almost there, the rain finally starts to slow, but I’m already drenched. With it being so late in the night, it’s chilly too. My teeth chatter from the cold, but I clamp them together, doing my best to make the sound stop. It’s too loud. Too intrusive in my brain, and it’s working my nerves.
When Carter’s house comes into view, I feel a wave of relief. Even if he won’t see me, surely Lydia wouldn’t turn me away. Carmen is her best friend, after all, and she’ll want to know what’s going on.
I walk all the way up the drive until I hit their front door. Tucking myself under the small overhang above the door, I give myself a minute to catch my breath, then knock. I can hear movement, but no one answers. When I knock again, Tiny barks, and it sounds close.
“It’s just me, boy,” I say, trying to calm him down.
Within a few seconds, he stops, and then the door slides open. Tucking my hands into the pockets of my jeans, I look at Carter as he stares at me. “Can I come in?”
He looks behind me at the light rain falling before finally moving to the side and pushing the door open further. “What do you want?” His voice is short and clipped.
Tiny moves to my legs, so I reach my hand down to pet him as I step inside, still keeping my eyes on Carter. “Is Lydia here? It’s about Carmen.”
He shakes his head before crossing his arms over his chest. “She already left to go to the hospital. What’d you do to her?” I can hear a hint of anger in his voice.
