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It’s been hours since Alex left my place, and all I can think about is our kiss. I’ve imagined our first kiss, and my daydreams pale in comparison to the real thing. His lips were firm but soft. His scent intoxicating. He tasted like mint and spice, and I never wanted him to stop.
In my bedroom, I grab the pillow he slept on last night and wrap my arms around it, reminding me of his smell. It keeps me calm, makes me feel like he’s still here. I touch my fingers to my lips, closing my eyes tight. I want to etch the moment in my mind forever.
Alex made it clear that he wants more, and even though I’m nervous about not being all that he needs, I want this too. When he calls tomorrow, I’m going to tell him so. I fall asleep thinking of Alex.
The next morning…
Well rested and dressed, I grab my purse and hurry out the door. My cell rings as I move to the back of the building, where my car is parked in the lot.
“Hey, Bri.”
“Hi, Chloe. I’m on my way. I hope it’s not my turn to pick up coffee, because I’m running behind.” Chloe, Dr. Nestor, the other staff, and I take turns picking up from Lava Lattes. I’m praying it’s not my turn today because, as it is, I’m going to be late.
“Nope. George is on for today. I’m calling because I wanted to check in to see how last night went after we left. You don’t have to tell me, but I’m going to admit not knowing is killing me a little,” she says, dramatizing “killing me.”
“He kissed me, Chloe. And it was out-of-this-world amazing,” I admit, smiling like a loon. I’m so happy, I’m ready to skip the rest of the way to my car.
“Oh my God! I knew it, I knew it.” She lets out a squeal of delight.
I’m about to reach for the door handle of my car when I’m grabbed from behind. I drop my phone. I try to get away, pulling at the hand clamped at my mouth. I bite down hard, eliciting a yelp. The attacker moves his hand, and I scream for help. I’m about to cry out again when a fist lands on my temple, and I feel myself falling, only to be caught by the same pair of hands that hit me, before passing out.
* * *
Alex
Caleb,Damian, Zeke, and I are going over what we have on the Dustin Tursk case so far. After meeting his sister, we know that Dustin was making efforts to turn his life around. He was helping her financially and was playing the big-brother role, helping her with her kid’s drop-off and pickup from school so she could go to work without worry. They even synced their calendars, which is a huge help in tracking his last days’ whereabouts. His sister is a mess. First she lost her husband and now her brother, and she’s raising her kid on her own.
We did a background check, and we’re convinced she knows nothing about what her brother was into and definitely didn’t know he was an informant. Zeke and I went through the basement apartment where he was staying at her place. His laptop was out in the open, and we found a bunch of USB drives that Zeke’s going through.
Caleb and Damian get us up-to-date on the case Detective Sammas is working on and the key player they’re targeting and how Dustin fits into all of it.
“We’ll be working with Sammas. He takes lead on the theft. Our priority is the homicide,” Caleb says.
Damian’s phone goes off. He grins, and I’m about to tease him when I hear the panic in Chloe’s voice. She’s shrieking so loud, I can hear her from where I’m sitting. Caleb and Zeke can too. We all stare at Damian, who looks right at me. His expression tells me this is about Sabrina, and whatever’s going on is not good.
“Baby, stay put. Do not move from the clinic. Do not go outside. I’m coming, but I gotta get everyone in play. We’ll find her,” Damian says. “We’ll find her” means she’s missing. I’m on my feet instantly. Did I scare Sabrina? She seemed fine when I left. She was into that kiss as much as I was.
“What—” I start.
“Sabrina was taken. Chloe was on the phone with her,” Damian says.
“What’s her number? If it’s still on, I’ll trace it,” Zeke says.
My heart is thudding in my chest. This can’t be happening. I shouldn’t have left her last night.
Caleb slaps my back. “Snap out of it. Let’s go.”
“Phone is still on and near her apartment,” Zeke says.
“Chloe thought she was walking. Maybe to her car,” Damian adds.
“We’ve got nothing. Fucking nothing. She’s out there, and we’ve got nothing,” I shout.
“Get your shit together,” Caleb yells back. “We do what we always do. We follow the lead. Get to her apartment. Track down her car.” He turns to Zeke. “You get officers out there to canvass the area. Someone had to have seen something.”
There’s a pounding in my ears, cold shivers running down my spine. It’s fear. Christ! I can’t lose her now.
* * *
