Page 48 of Secrets

At seven, every shop is closed, but for some obscure reason, Noxus’s normal eeriness feels oddly eerier. Silent alarms similar to when I met the goon with my uncle begin to sound, and my grip tightens on the steering wheel, an unsuccessful attempt to calm my already racing mind.

Staring through Elena’s store window, I attempt to make out her silhouette, or maybe a light in the back that indicates she’s inside. But instead of either, an odd tingle radiates up my spine, and over the nape of my neck, causing the fine hairs to stand at attention.

In the next second a flicker of what I might have guessed at first was lightning catches my attention, forcing my eyes to the rearview mirror. My heart dips into my stomach acid.

Though it’s hard as shit to see, I’m able to make out another car at the edge of the lot, its wipers moving too slow to actually be useful against the onslaught of rain, and its window tint far too dark to pass regulation. It’s an Aston Martin. Black. And the only SUV model the company makes.

Only one person in Noxus has his drivers in three-hundred-thousand dollar cars.

Fuck.

Panic replaces the relief that was finally calming my pulse, while rational thought seems impossible to grasp.

It would make sense that someone might have reported seeing me come to Noxus more than just a handful of times. Add that to the fact I’ve been vocal about wanting him in jail, and the recent visit from the cartel guys and well…I can see why my presence might make Alexi antsy.

Eyes flashing to the car again, I consider what to do.

If they’re here for me, I can simply drive away and lead them away from Elena, keeping her safe while I figure out what the hell they want.

But if they’re here for her… Guess I’d have to break that promise to my uncle about going by the book. Even if it means it’s my last straw.

I glance at my glove compartment, thinking about the gun stashed there. I don’t want to leave just in case they came for Elena, but if I stay, then I chance—shit. The realization that I haven’t physically laid eyes or talked to Elena in over twenty-four hours knocks me square in the chest.

This whole thing could be a setup. A deed already committed, or fish net cast, and I’m just here to make the discovery or fall right into the trap.

Terror rips through me, shredding my insides with freshly sharpened claws that steal what little breath my lungs pull in. My mind becomes scrambled, too many thoughts to focus on passing through me faster than I can process.

I knew the risks when I signed up to work for the federal government. Knew the risks when I decided to go after criminals as dangerous as the Babins. I fuckingknew, and yet, I got involved with someone knowing that my choices could very well put her in danger. Not only that, but there wasn’t a single goddamn time I paid attention to my surroundings when we were together. Never gave any thought to if we were being watched or followed.

I was so caught up in my fucking infatuation with her that I threw her right in the goddamn fire.

Sucking in a sharp, unfulfilling breath, my grip somehow tightens even more causing my knuckles to bloom white, and the bones in my hand to ache. The corners of my vision darken as I try to calm down enough to breathe, but again, it’s as though there’s no air in the cabin.

My eyes flit to the mirror, and I swear it’s driven closer.

But I can’t move, it’s as though I’m locked in place. Terror’s claws embedded in my shoulders, holding me down. My hands stay glued to the wheel as I try again to Just. Fucking. Breathe.

Snap out of it, Jessica.

I reprimand myself as my pulse surges through my veins, my vision growing darker as the rain continues to pound violently on the hood of my car, indecision closing in around me. My lungs burn as they fail at pulling in air, and the more seconds that tick by, the worse everything becomes and I know that if I don’t get my shit together, I’m going to pass out.

A flash of movement catches in my periphery, forcing my attention to the front door, snapping me from the panic, and into action. My hand instantly darts for the glove compartment, but when I flip the latch to unlock it, red hair catches my eye.

Elena stands on the threshold, one of her arms raised to shield her face from the spray of rain being pushed by the wind. Her long flowing pants whip back and forth, while the rain has already started to pelt against the yellow top clinging to her skin.

Her name escapes me in a whisper of relief so intense, my heart all but stops completely.

“Red.”

The moment her name leaves my lips, so does Alexi’s car. The lights fade away as it turns, slowly making its way through the lot until exiting onto the main road, and disappearing in the storm. Even after it’s out of sight, I can’t ignore the sinister tremor now working down my spine.

Though it was too dark to see if Alexi was in the car, its presence at all was a statement. One I better figure out if I plan to continue breathing, or more importantly, keep Elena safe.

“If you’re waiting for the rain to die down, I’m afraid you’ll be there all night, agent.”

Her voice, which is barely audible above the water slapping against the hood of my car, earns my full attention. Brows pinched and eyes narrowed, she steps back into the doorway, shielding herself from the weather. She continues to wait patiently for me, never once looking in the direction of where the car was parked. That probably shouldn’t bother me as much as it does, but itdoes. In fact, it sets off that small alarm in the back of my mind again. The one I can’t figure out where it’s from or what it’s about.

Before I can stress myself with trying once again to fill in the missing pieces, I swallow around the knot suddenly lodged in my throat and push open the driver’s side door. I rush out, slamming it closed behind me and tail it to the store. The frigid rain immediately pelts me, drenching through my thin shirt and soaking my jeans before I even make it to the stairs.

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