Page 27 of Desperate People

That he’s the only one I trust to make this stop?

“Stay put, Angel,” he cuts in. “I’m eight minutes out.”

And then the line goes dead.

Just like that—he’s coming.

For me.

And I finally let myself sink to the cold tile floor, wrapping my arms around my knees.

The terror still swirls in my gut, but it's quieter now.

Like he took a piece of it with him the moment he answered.

Because he answered.

And he’s on his way.

To me.

I don’t have to pretend to be okay anymore.

Not when Balor Cruz is coming like a storm.

Chapter Four-Balor

I run every light between my apartment and hers. Blow through intersections, nearly take out a cab.

I don’t give a fuck.

There’s a weight on my chest like a concrete block. My heart’s slamming against my ribs like it’s trying to break free, but it’s not fear for me.

It’s for her.

Lucy.

Because something happened in that apartment, something bad. I could hear it in her voice, in the tremor of it, in the way she said Diablita like it was poison in her mouth.

By the time I reach her building, I’m barely holding it together.

I park crooked in a fire lane with the hazard lights flashing like a fucking crime scene.

I’m already out and running.

The elevator is glacial. I jam my finger into the button like that’ll make it go faster.

My reflection in the doors is someone I barely recognize—wild-eyed, jaw clenched, ready to kill.

By the time the doors open, I’m vibrating with fury.

What if he’s still inside?

What if she’s not alone?

What if I’m too fucking late?

My fists clench so tight, my knuckles pop. I stalk down the hall and pull out the key I swiped off her ring months ago.

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