Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
And knowing he was connected to Devin only made me dislike him even more. But right now, I didn’t have time to think about my distaste for Detective Maddox. Right now, I needed to focus on the girl. I needed to find out what she’d told the police and why she’d gone to them instead of me.
It took me a minute to remember the address. I’d only been there the one time, but luckily, it was enough. It wasn’t in the best neighborhood, but I’d seen worse. Her apartment complex wasn’t the best. It was one of those older brick buildings that looked like it hadn’t been cared for since the '80s, and the numbers on the front were barely hanging on.
I walked up to the door and knocked twice. After a moment, it creaked open, and the roommate appeared. She stood behind the door with one hand braced against it like she wasn’t sure whether to shut it in my face or let me in. “Umm, hey.”
“Hey. You remember me?”
“Yeah, you were the one who brought Gabby home that night.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re here?”
“It is.” I gave her a moment, hoping she’d see that I wasn’t a threat, before asking, “Mind if I come in?”
She hesitated for a second longer, then opened the door. “Okay, but I’ve gotta leave for work in a few minutes.”
“This won’t take long.”
“Okay.”
The apartment was small and cluttered. There were a couple of takeout boxes on the counter and various clothes and blankets tossed over the back of the couch. The girl looked to be in her early twenties but acted older. She was cute but tough. It was an odd mix. It was clear she’d been through things.
“Is she home?”
“Gabby?” She shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen her since Monday.”
That was two days ago. “Any idea where she might be?”
“No.”
“And you aren’t worried about her?”
“Yes and no.” She sat on the arm of the sofa and crossed her arms. “It’s not like this is the first time she’s gone off on me. Sometimes, it’s just for the night and sometimes longer. She meets some guy, lets him fill her head with all kinds of BS, and then he ghosts her. She comes back like nothing happened.”
“So, I take it you haven’t filed a missing person’s report?”
“Why? She always turns back up at some point.”
“And you don’t think she’s with family or something?”
“Oh, God, no. She hasn’t talked to any of them in over two years. They were always fighting over something, and she got out as soon as she got the chance.” Her brows furrowed. “What’s this all about? Why are you so interested in Gabby?”
“The cops came to the club today about Gabby and those two guys who tried to take her.” She immediately gasped, “No shit?”
“No. Shit.” I let out a breath before asking, “You think she’s the one who went to the cops?”
“No fucking way.” She shook her head. “I get what happened was bad and all but she’d never go to the police. They did her dirty with her folks. Always took their side and left her there to fend for herself.”
“Sounds like she had a rough go of it.”
“Yeah, she did.”
Something about this wasn’t sitting right. Her disappearance had to be more than just some dumb coincidence, but I had no way to prove it. “Is Gabby her real name?”
“Yeah… Well, it’s a nickname. Her full name is Gabriel Sanchez.”
“Alright. You still got my card?” She nodded, and I told her, “If you hear from her, you call me.”
“I will.”
I paused at the door. “And if anyone else comes around asking questions… the cops or some assholes you don’t recognize, I want to know. Understand?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I got it.”
I gave her a final nod and stepped out. My head was all over the place as I made my way back out to my bike. The girl, the two assholes who’d tried to take her, Detective Maddox, the club, and Devin.
Damn.
I couldn’t catch a fucking break.
6
DEVIN
Laura and I had ended up drinking more than we planned. Just a couple glasses of wine turned into a bottle and a half, and it was after three when the Uber finally dropped me off at the house. I laughed more than I had in months. We spoke with a few men here and there, and it was fine. But I enjoyed my time with Laura more than anything.
She was my dearest friend, and I loved spending time with her. I also loved getting out of the house and out of my own head. I needed that more than I realized. I got up, and after a quick shower, I made myself some coffee and piled up on the sofa. I was tired and a little hungover, so I didn’t push it. I just laid back and enjoyed the quiet.