Page 77 of Inside the Wicked

I cast my eyes to Oma’s door. I don’t know how long they’ll be in there, but I’m not leaving even for a piss.

“So the question is, where would Liam have taken her?” Rix ponders, leaning back in his chair.

Ana’s the only person who might have even a slight lead on that. I pull over another chair, but I doubt I’ll manage to stay still for long.

“Let try to work out where Jeremy is for now,” I say.

It’s past midnight, and most of the people here have left or gone to sleep. A lot of them live here. There are several rooms with bunks, and they find peace and safety in being together.

Rix and Adam are still here, but the three of us are barely hanging on after a full day of scouring screens trying to figure shit out. We’re not much closer to finding Jeremy. I owe my life to the kid, as stupid and reckless as he was for going behind Rix’s back to get an in with Lanshall.

I rub my eyes, but when the familiar creak echoes across the room, suddenly I’m wide-awake. Oma peeks out and beckons me over, and I don’t hesitate. Her face is pulled in with sadness as she steps aside.

“She’s very passionate and strong. She cares about you deeply.”

Ana is asleep on the floral sofa. The two Chihuahuas Jeremy stole last year are curled into her.

“I shouldn’t have let that happen,” I say. She’s so breathtaking when she sleeps. So free from burden.

“You think you’ve disrupted and destroyed her life, and while what you do is dangerous, that’s not true. In fact, I think you saved each other at just the right time.”

I walk in gently, not wanting to wake her. “Did she tell you what happened?”

“She told me everything. In time, she’ll want toshowyou everything. It’s how she communicates with you. Have patience, son.”

“I will.”

“But Rhett, you can’t begin to help her until you help yourself.”

I lift Ana into my arms, and she’s the weight of bliss. I breathe in her scent of honey and vanilla and know I’m exactly where I belong.

“Thank you, Oma.”

“You know where to find me when you’re ready.”

I don’t answer. Heading out with Ana is the only thing on my mind right now. Taking her somewhere safe.

“You should go home,” I say to Rix, who’s still combing through feeds, not wanting to miss a moment Jeremy might appear.

“I’m good. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

Adam doesn’t look like he’s leaving either as he picks up a slice of cold pizza from hours ago. I might not like him, but Rix seems to ease off in his company, and I’m glad he’s not alone.

I take one of the new Jeeps, and Ana moans sleepily when I put her in the passenger seat.

“Where are we going?” she mumbles, barely peeling open her eyes as I reach over to clip in her seat belt.

“Home,” I say, kissing her softly.

I can’t get enough. I want to lock her away with me for all the months we missed together, but I know that’s not an option.

“We can’t go back to the apartment. I don’t fancy any more building ledge hideouts,” she says as I slip in the driver’s seat.

I nearly smile at her humor. Always our light. Always our balance.

“We have a few homes. They’ll have to do until we get you the one with the porch.”

“And a pond.”

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