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“I cannot plan my best friend’s funeral right now, okay?” she heard Annie saying, her voice far away. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to sit back and let you ignore this anymore. We need to do something.”
Lexie didn’t answer. Just sat and waited for it to be over.
Annie was right, not that she’d stop talking long enough for Lexie to tell her that. She knew things were getting out of control, and she would have to deal with Kyle sooner rather than later. But for right now, for today, she just wanted to feel some semblance of normal. Because the fact was, even if she did find it in herself to press charges, get a restraining order, or flee to the other side of the country, she knew Kyle would never stop. He was a cockroach. He didn’t have it in him to give up, especially when it came to her. Whatever she decided to do next, there would be consequences. Necessary consequences? Perhaps. Still, she had to figure out how much she was willing to risk and if it was worth looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life. What was that quote? Love is the most dangerous thing in the world? Lexie didn’t believe for a second that what Kyle felt for her was anything resembling love, but he thought it was, and that’s what made him dangerous.
The only thing she could be grateful for in this dismal situation was that Annie was so distracted by her rage for Kyle, she hadn’t once asked about Nico.
Lexie hoped she wouldn’t.
It had been hard enough sending him that message, knowing she was saying goodbye to someone—something—special, a real connection, without Annie piling on the guilt too.
Finally pulling herself out of her stupor, Lexie held up a hand. “I hear you, Ann. Alright? Believe me, I’m under no illusions about this. Not anymore.”
Annie swallowed whatever rebuke she had loaded up and sighed. “I’m sorry.” She took Lexie’s hand. “I’m sorry,” she said again, with more feeling this time, like she wanted Lexie to know she meant it.
“What do you want to do?” Paul asked.
“I don’t know,” Lexie said, rubbing her face. “I have to go to the police, right? Tell them what he told me about Isabelle.”
“Absolutely,” Annie agreed.
“You don’t think he killed her . . . Do you?”
“Why wouldn’t I? After what he did to you.”
“He said he didn’t do it,” Lexie said, knowing her argument sounded as weak as water. “And I believe him, despite—” She gestured to her bruises.
She also remembered Darcy’s parting words: “If this has nothing to do with us, why aren’t you more surprised to see me?” But she didn’t want to tell Annie about that. Talking about it made it real. Made it terrifying.
“Whether he killed her or not is irrelevant,” Paul said reasonably. “He’s a threat to you. Period.”
Lexie couldn’t disagree with him on that, so she didn’t even try. She didn’t want to believe Kyle could be a murderer, but she also couldn’t deny her fear of him and what he might be capable of, especially after last night. She knew she had to report him, both for what he’d done to her and all the incriminating things he’d told her. To not come forward would be interfering with a police investigation, she knew. And if he was innocent—which she believed he was, at least where Isabelle’s murder was concerned—it would only be a matter of time before his name would be cleared.
Lexie pushed away from the table and stood.
“You want me to come with you?” Annie offered.
“Thanks,” Lexie said, hugging her friend. “But I think I need to do this on my own.”
Lexie drove to the Mercy Cove PD with a tight feeling in her chest. She parked down the block to avoid attention, but instead of exiting the car, she took a moment to recalibrate. Gripping the steering wheel tight, she reminded herself this was nothing she couldn’t handle. She’d dealt with Kyle’s aggression before. She’d be fine. Plus, she had friends here. Good friends who would stand with her every step of the way, whatever she chose to do. Everything would be alright.
Wrapping a pretty, red scarf around her neck—very flight attendant style, but it worked—Lexie made her way to the back entrance, where she’d requested Chief West meet her. Calling ahead had seemed like a good idea at the time. She didn’t need the whole town gossiping about seeing her walk into the police station all shame-faced and hiding behind big sunglasses like some kind of battered celebrity. It wasn’t until she’d reached the other side of the building that she noticed Nico standing there, hands in his pockets, a grim set to his mouth.
Shit. She’d specifically asked for an appointment time when he wouldn’t be here, and Zoe assured her he was out on a job. Surely multiple unanswered calls and texts should have made clear that she didn’t want to see him anymore. Why wasn’t he taking the hint?
Looking around to check how many people were around, Lexie squared her shoulders and walked over to him. “You weren’t supposed to be here.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” he said, his tone clipped.
Lexie hitched her handbag higher on her shoulder. “Nico, I told you—”
“Yeah, I know what you told me. I also know you look like you didn’t get a wink of sleep last night—right there with you, by the way—and when you got out of your car just now you had your pepper spray at the ready.”
Lexie tightened her lips and looked away. She’d forgotten how observant he was.
“What the hell is going on?” he asked, tilting his head, willing her to face him.
She shook her head, backing away. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. “You know what, this was a mistake.” She fished around for her keys, ready to turn around and sprint back to the safety of her car. “Just forget you know me, Nico. You’ll be doing us both a favor.”
