AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve always been your friend first, Ivan. That’s not going to change.”
“You’re too good for someone—” He’s cut off by the ringing of his phone on the countertop, and by the dark look that crosses his face, he’s not happy. Ivan taps my thigh and I get up, walking toward the device, and pick it up. The screen reads Israel and I toss it over before picking up our mess. “What did you find?”
I try not to listen and give him space, but in between cursing and now pacing, there are a few things that stick out. This is also when he finishes getting dressed, and I miss seeing his tattoos immediately.
Hacker.
Leave tonight.
No D.C. and change of plans.
Dead.
And when he turns around to face me, I know this is where we part. Not as heavy as last time, and I’m somewhat at peace for the first time since my best friend’s wedding.
“Promise me you’ll call, Ivan. That's non-negotiable.”
“Will it help you if I do?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have my word.” Ivan walks toward me with purpose and without another word, steals the air from my lungs with his kiss. It feels different from all the others before; I taste his passion, but behind it, there’s something deeper. An emotion he’s kept hidden but is now giving me a tease of.
His tongue runs across my bottom lip before biting down on the abused flesh. He nibbles, drawing a moan from me, and then steps back.
Ivan appraises me from head to toe, his want palpable, before turning for the door. Hand on the handle, he pauses. “You never answered my question, Mermaid.”
“About?”
“My voice.” The mirth in his voice tugs at my lips. “Tell me.”
“Like sex and chocolate.”
I hear his amused chuckle as he walks out, but what’s important is his wait for me, love before the door closes.
For the last forty-eight hours I’ve been on autopilot, reliving moments from his visit while going through the motions for those around me. I’ve also been going through my contacts in four precincts and haven’t found a single hair of Karen Lopez’s fiancé.
No one knows who her fiancé is.
There are no records of Ramon Valle being detained, much less arrested.
Not even a friend or family member on the news demanding answers, which leads me to believe I was right all along. This case is full of blaring warning signals and lies.
As if on cue, my office line rings. I look over, and it’s Detective Uriel, and it’s also not the first time he’s tried to get a hold of me over the last few days. His last voicemail came hours after Ivan left my home, and his speech was a little slurred.
“You have to help me, Amberlyn. It’s your duty and my—”
The recording stopped there, but the short message left me unsettled. More than when we met face to face; Uriel came off as scared.
“Are you going to pick that up, or do I forward your line to the front?” Mom asks, taking a seat across from me. Her eyes are on the paperwork I’m going through. “You’ve been off for days, kiddo. Talk to me.”
“I don’t know why I’m wasting my time with this case.” A frustrated huff leaves me, and I crane my neck from side to side, the crick there growing more pronounced as of late. I’m beat. “If I could find this man, I’d feel better. Know that there’s no danger—”
“Did you tell Ivan about this?”
“No.”
“Why?” Mom gives me a pointed look. “You know he wouldn’t hesitate to help you.”
