Page 94 of Steel

It leaves a quiver behind in my stomach.

A chill travels down my spine, and when I turn to go back inside, something pale catches my eye.

Just go back in, Bailee.

One day, I’ll learn to listen to that inner voice of mine when it’s warning me of shit, but it’s obvious that tonight isn’t going to be that night.

I’m being ridiculous. There’s going to be absolutely nothing. I’m going to walk over to it, and it’s going to be a piece of freaking trash or something. I’m just overreacting because this shit with Killer has me spooked and I’m on edge.

I trudge a little farther into the alleyway, ignoring the warning bells my brain is screeching at me and keeping my eyes glued to the halo of light shining down on what it was that caught my eye.

That smell I couldn’t identify gets stronger the closer I get until I finally recognize it.

Bleach.

A lot of it too from the way my eyes water.

I stumble to a stop when I finally reach it.

Her. When I finally reach her.

Clamping a hand across my mouth, I apply pressure to hold in the scream that’s trying to tear free.

The hairs lift from the back of my neck as I stumble away.

I’m out here alone.

What if they’re not gone? What if they’re coming back? Oh, god, what if it’s Killer?

My breathing turns shallow.

Steel. I need to tell him.

I shift my eyes around the alley as I run to the door, letting out a sob of relief behind my hand when I see that I remembered to prop it open so I didn’t get locked out.

As soon as I’m through the door, I grab my phone from my little apron pocket. It shakes from the trembling in my hands,causing the screen to blur enough that I have to hold it with both hands to keep it steady.

Because of the tremors running through me, it takes longer than it should to pull up my recent calls menu and hit the phone icon beside Steel’s name.

Miranda’s pale, abused, tortured, and lifeless body keeps flashing in front of my eyes as I listen to the ringing on the other end of the line.

“Pick up,” I whisper.

While I wait for him to answer, I keep my head up and my eyes on the move. If someone is going to attack me, I don’t want to be surprised by it. It’s the only way I’ll at least have a fighting chance.

“Come on, Steel.”

“Lee?”

A sob slides past my lips at the familiar sound of his voice in my ear. “Oh, god. Oh, god, Steel.”

“Bailee, what’s goin’ on?”

“The alley,” I gasp, the shock finally starting to set in.

“Need you to breathe for me, baby girl.”

I close my eyes and inhale deeply at his command.

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