Page 44 of Faded Rhythm

Alejandro looks as confused as I feel.

Behind me, I hear King pacing back and forth, but I’m too deep in thought to think about him right now.

“What else you wanna know, baby girl?”

Behind me, King stops pacing.

“That’s all I can think of.”

“Was I helpful?”

I give him another smile. I can’t help it. “You were. Take care of yourself, Al.”

“You too, my love. Stay in touch.”

When the call ends, I stare at the blank screen for a while. My thoughts spin like a cyclone trapped in a glass bottle, circling, building, but going nowhere.

King’s watching me. He looks tense when I turn to face him.

“What?” I ask, my voice unsteady.

He crosses his arms in front of him. “Why does he call you baby girl?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“Has he ever…”

“What? No! Why would you even—no. He’s old enough to be my father.”

King stares blankly. “When has that ever stopped men from doing what they do?”

“Fair enough. But, no.” I pause, my mouth twitching as a smile threatens to cross it. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t.” He blows out a sigh. “Look, I have some bad news.”

My stomach drops. I gulp down a mouthful of air as I move to stand, stopping short when King thrusts his phone into my line of sight.

A text.

Nobody’s at my house! What the fuck is going on?

I look up, my eyes wide. “He knows.”

“Yes,” he says quietly, but I don’t wait to hear what comes next.

A wave of cold panic floods through me as I run toward the door, slipping my feet into my slides on the way. I stumble a bit, but not enough to slow me down. Whatever safety I thought I had evaporates like fog. I have to get to the girls before he does.

But before I can open the door, King’s arms are around me and I realize I’m not going anywhere.

19

King

She bolts.

One second, she was frozen, wide-eyed, and barely breathing, and the next, she’s lunging for the door.

But I’m faster.

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