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“Why did you go to Blackburn twice?”
Because one time wasn’t enough. Yes, I searched for her. I needed to find the girl left behind. When the case I was working on landed me in the neighboring town, I couldn’t help but stop in. Her life was simple. I imagined her paycheck was just enough to put food on the table and a roof over her head. The tattered tennis shoes had seen their day. Her natural dark lashes were exceptionally long, her face was without a trace of makeup, except for ChapStick. I only knew that because I saw her put it on. I wondered if she tasted like strawberry or cherry.
That was the beginning of my obsession.
I shrug. “Curiosity.” It’s as simple as that.
My captain curses under his breath, irritated with my answer. “Goddammit, Paxton, you’re not making this easy!” he yells, slamming his palms down on the table.
They just wouldn’t understand.
“Search everything. You won’t find anything because I didn’t do it.”
He stands tall, scrubbing his chin, his face a deep shade of red. I’ve never seen him this mad. “Until you’re cleared, we’re placing you on administrative leave. Riggs will be assigned to Liam for the time being.”
“You’re taking Riggs?” I roar. This is ridiculous. I saved a woman. Fueled by anger, I slam my gun and badge on the table, well aware they have me pinned in a corner. The chair scrapes against the cement floor as I push back to stand. I start to walk away, but then the anger stops me, and I whip back around. “You say that everyone knows everything that happens in Blackburn, so why haven’t you found out who really buried Kali?”
His stare hardens, and his mouth thins with displeasure. “We’re working on it.”
No, they’re wasting their time trying to pin this on me. Fuck this. I spin on my heels and take long strides to the door.
“Oh and, Officer Turner? Stay away from Kali Stevens.”
Fuck you.
That will not happen.
“If you refuse,” Martinez warns, stopping me as I grip the handle in my hand.
I clench my teeth and wait for his threat.
“Well, let’s just say that Ms. Stevens might learn that it was her father that killed your brother.”
CHAPTER 26
Kali
Each street passes by, and I slow down to read each sign, searching for Parker Road, even though the navigation system insists I still have half a mile to go. I’ve been racking my brain over why Paxton wanted to meet but told me not to tell anyone where I was going. Make up an excuse to go to the store were his exact words.
“Make the next right. You’ve arrived at your destination.”
Next question—why are we meeting in a deserted gas station that is surrounded by empty storefronts? The place is a ghost town.
I ease into the parking lot, spotting the back of Paxton’s Jeep in the rear of the gas station, the only car in sight. An instinctual unease creeps over me, urging me to turn around. What if the guy who kidnapped me got to Paxton and is luring me here? Fear prickles my scalp as I slow my speed to a crawl, keeping my foot on the brake, debating what I should do.
I’ve seen all the scary movies, and I’ve seen this scene before. The one where it’s so obvious that the girl is about to be killed, but she keeps going into the creepy shed. I exhale a sigh when I see Paxton alone. At least, I hope he is. I keep going even as Zander’s voice echoes in my head about reading the room.
I’ll just drive by and see if he’s alone before parking. Paxton slides out of his Jeep and waits for me to park. His smile erases the tension in my shoulders. I still haven’t been able to stop thinking about our weekend getaway. I rub the wings on my necklace. My life is finally moving forward, and for the first time ever, my future is defined. It’s more than a dream. And I’m falling in love.
Paxton is so skilled at construction, maybe he bought one of these abandoned buildings to fix it up. It wouldn’t surprise me. He’s so talented.
“This isn’t sus at all,” I jest as soon as he opens my door for me. “You had me kind of freaked out.”
His smile fades, and he runs his hand through his hair. “Sorry. I just…we need to talk. With no one around.”
I stare at him as I step out of the car, confused.
“Can you take a ride with me?”
