Page 83 of Kortlek

Blair nods, shoulders stiff. “Do you have any idea where he might actually be? If this is just a trick to get you alone, you must know where he is. Think, Aria.’’

My hands fly to my hair, brushing through it as my eyes close. I go back, trying to remember every place Wyatt and I frequented. I bite my lip in frustration, hating how easy yet difficult this seems to be. He was never the type to take me to the same place twice, and the place where he lived before he got banished isn’t his anymore.

I freeze momentarily.

“The abandoned warehouse near the woods,’’ I whisper to myself.

It’s a place often used by teenagers who are trying to sneak while smoking weed. The amount of shit happening over there is insane, but it’s the only place we’ve been to together more than three times. It’s isolated, and it takes a long walk near the highway before you can reach the warehouse.

I’m on my feet, moving as quickly as possible and trying to find any hidden weapons that Arlo has left behind. A small scream of frustration slips from me when I find none. My brain’s not working properly, and I can’t think of reasonable places where he’d hide them.

“Wait, take this.’’ Blair steps toward and pulls out something that looks like a metal stick. It’s as long as my middle finger, thick, with a red button in the middle.

“What’s that?”

Blair presses the button, and it extends into a long metal stick, good enough to beat someone to the pulp with it. One side has a sharp end, and it’s a good tool for self-defense. My eyes slightly widen in shock, amazed at the small device.

I take it from Blair, inspecting it in my hands. “Where’d you get this?”

“Your mom got it for my birthday last year.’’

I frown. “Seriously? Why don’t I ever get such awesome presents?’’

Blair blinks. “Didn’t you get a whole fucking island for your eighteenth?”

A snort comes from me. “Yeah, but that’s useless. We can trade if you want.’’

Disbelief is on her face, but she doesn’t comment on it. Instead, she hands me her coat, and I immediately put it on, zipping it up tightly and putting the small device in my pocket.

“Be careful, Aria.’’

I nod. “I promise.’’

“Remember, an hour,’’ she reminds me. “And good luck. Bring our girl back.’’

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

God, it’s been a while since I’ve come here.

The smallest branches snap under my feet as I move forward, careful enough not to make too much noise. The cold air blows in my face, and I take a shaky breath. The closer I’m getting to the abandoned building, the higher my anxiety skyrockets.

I’m not afraid of what Wyatt could do to me. I’m not afraid of finally confronting him. I’m not afraid that tonight I might not return home. None of that concerns me. My biggest concern is Rose. It took me forty minutes to reach this place, and that was by driving way over the speed limit.

What if he killed her already? What is he’s torturing her as I’m taking my sweet fucking time, trying to reach the warehouse undetected. Then again, if he expected I’d come here, he wouldn’t just kill her.

I reach the front door — or the lack thereof. The entire entrance, as well as the inside, if my memory serves me right, is ruined. Windows are smashed, small and big glass shards alike on the ground. Empty beer cans and broken bottles of alcohol all linger on the floor. The stench of vomit makes me gag and scrunch my nose in pure disgust.

Cigarette butts, the remains of joints, are scattered around. Some have been here for years; some are newer. As I step inside, my hand is immediately in my pocket on the small weapon Blair gave me.

My eyes scan the area thoroughly, and I’m grateful that I remember the layout by heart. The walls are dirty, with a lot of amateur graffiti covering them. I wince slightly as I notice the one I’d done for Wyatt and myself.

It’s a simple red heart with our initials in the middle. It covers half the wall, and I can’t say it’s one of my proudest moments.

Back when I was in a relationship with Wyatt, I had feelings for Cove. They weren’t as strong as they are now, but I was well aware that nothing could happen between the two of us. Hence, when Wyatt came along, I did hesitate a little.

However, he gave me the right amount of attention at the right time, and I couldn’t see past the blatant manipulation, gaslighting, and isolation. In a way, I’ll never stop blaming myself. For allowing him to use and abuse me for so long. For allowing him to get away with it unscathed. For kidnapping Rose.

Mainly, I’ll never forgive him.

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