Page 61 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

My head moves to the ground. I listen to his soft breathing through the phone, waiting for him to say something to make me feel better.

“I was so worried about you,” he finally lets out.

I nod frantically. “Yeah. Um. No. I’m fine. Promise. Are you at work?”

“Yeah, I’m heading out of the office soon. The case I’m helping with is almost solved. Things will be back to normal in no time.”

My chest hurts, and I’m left rocking back and forth on my heels. Things will never be the same. “Can we talk later? Or… tomorrow. Whatever is easier.”

I hear someone shout in the background, but I can’t make out what is said. “Yes. Tomorrow. I have to get going. We’re so close.” I can hear the excitement in his tone, and I know it’s not about me. It’s about work, which makes me feel like I’m being pushed on the sidelines again. “I’ll talk to you soon, sweetheart. We need to talk soon. Love you.”

I blink. “Yeah, love you too,” I whisper before hanging up the phone.

I slip my phone into my back pocket and drag my palms down my face. I take a minute to think before locking up the house and heading back to Alec’s car.

When I get to the car, Alec jolts as I open the door and climb inside. “Drive.”

He stares at me in all seriousness. “Where to?”

“The station.” My blood is hot inside my body, and I’m full of rage and adrenaline.

“Sunshine.” Alec’s voice is worrisome.

“Fucking drive, Alec!” I shout, waving one hand toward the dashboard.

“Jesus.” He shakes his head, pulling into the road.

I close my eyes and fight the tears that well in them. This time, these tears are hot and angry. I don’t allow them to fall. Instead, focus on the one thing I need to do.

Find my mother’s case file.

***

“We can leave if you want.”

Alec’s eyes slide to mine, momentarily dispelling my apprehension. It only lasts a second before returning, because as soon as I look over the dashboard, my insides are screaming at me again and I force myself to look back at Alec.

I could leave, but what would that accomplish?

“Do you have a better plan?” I drawl.

Alec watches me with narrowed brows. His hand reaches towards me, resting on my thigh. The touch of his skin radiates something warm and fuzzy up my arm, and straight to my core.

“No,” he says.

It would be much easier to check my father’s office first like I originally had planned, but if he’s working on a case, that’s the one place he would be in and out of. This plan is our only option. No matter if Alec disagrees. No matter if this is the stupidest plan in the universe, I will get my hands on that file and I will figure out who murdered my mother.

“You know… this might not end well,” he adds.

There’s truth in his words. I know it myself but hearing them come from him only makes me feel unease, pushing any good feeling I did have aside. But I have to shove it away. I can’t allow myself to second guess what we’re about to do.

“I know.” I swallow the thickness in my throat.

A muscle below his neck tattoo pulses. He wants to protest, but there’s no point. Nothing he says will change my mind.

“You don’t have to do this with me.” I think so, anyway. Honestly, I don’t know how I’d get my hands on that file if I didn’t have his help.

“You’re not doing this alone. Now, stop procrastinating and let's get this goddamn thing over with.” He speaks like this is easy, but we both know it isn’t.

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