Page 40 of No Small Sin

The thought of both our blood swirling together in a pool on the floor made me irrationally envious of anyone who might find our bodies in the aftermath. Jealous that I couldn’t carry out the task and also be the one to witness the beauty of it.

I forced myself to shove those thoughts away. I would find another way out of this. I had the resources to do so.

And if I couldn’t, I would reconsider when the time came.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

TK

LC was super busy. I hadn’t had a hot second to give much of my attention to anything aside from rushing out plates of steaming pasta with crunchy breadsticks andso manyfreaking bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening went by in a total whirlwind.

I took a minute to catch my breath. Looking around, I noticed the clock above the bar. It was already getting late and we wouldn't be open much longer. I felt a surge of guilt for not having had the chance to talk to Andi yet.

I had so much I wanted to tell her, but aside from that she just seemed totallyoff,and I really needed to check on her.

She’d missed her last few shifts, and when she popped in today, it seemed like she brought whatever issues she’d been having with her.

She was distant, that was for sure. She barely spoke to anyone and gave the customers her literal bare minimum, avoiding eye contact and moving on to the next table as quickly as possible.

So very out of character for my bubbly friend.

I wrapped up after closing and scanned the area for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Just as I was about to give up, I caught her slipping inside through the side entrance. She looked up, our eyes meeting briefly before she ducked away into the back room.

This bitch was avoiding me.

If that’s how it was, she could fucking try. But I wasn’t about to let this go. Something was up and I was too nosy to just let it go.

I pretended to go on about my business without seeking her out again and headed out to my car as if I were leaving for the night.

She didn’t know that I’d planned on staying with Beck after work, but that was her own fault for not bothering to speak to me fordaysnow.

I pulled into the alley and waited for her to leave. She was too much of a ditz to notice anyone following her. I wasn’t sure she’d go anywhere but home, but I had a gut feeling and my gut was such a bad bitch, honestly. She always knew when something was up.

I’d expected her to take her car, but when she left through the front of the restaurant after locking up, she was on foot.

There goes my fucking plans.

I quietly ducked out of the driver's seat of my car and followed her down the street, keeping my distance.

I had a weird feeling that something bad might happen, but I shoved it away because I was too invested now for my own good.

Andi kept her head down, walking quickly. At that speed, bitch was either on a mission or she used to be a cheerleader.

She was very obviously trying to avoid being seen— to the point that she was totally oblivious to her surroundings.

I followed her down another alley. It was dark, the streetlights barely putting out any light at all due to neglect.

City taxes were too fucking high for that shit, but that was Fate Trace for you.

Passing by a row of dilapidated houses with most of the windows boarded up, I realized she was about to waltz right up to the front door of one.

No fucking thanks, but I'd come this far so I would at least hide in the shadows like a creep and watch from a distance.

Even the surrounding area felt dangerous and I wasn't sure how long my chickenshit ass could hang, nosy or not.

Dread sat in my stomach like a dead weight and I decided to pull my phone out and send Beck my location. Just in case.

I stood nervously, waiting. She'd been inside for too long and despite worrying about being seen, I had to check on her.

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