Page 111 of Exposé

I nodded my head up and down as fast as I could, whimpering against his harsh hold.

"Good. I'm not above burying your body where no one can find it."

My stomach twisted.

"Tell the police, and your little cop friend joins your grave." He spun me toward the wall, pressing my forehead against the brick, my skin slick and clammy. "Count to ten. And remember…I'm watching."

His hold released, and I slumped against the gritty brick wall, cold and rough against my skin. The stench of the alley filled my lungs as bile clawed its way up my throat. My shaking hands found the wall’s filthy surface for support while tears spilled hot down my cheeks. I counted to ten, each number steadier than the last, as his footsteps faded into the distance, swallowed by the city’s relentless hum.

Nine.

Ten.

I peeked with one eyelid, ensuring the man was gone, then pulled away from the wall, my chin trembling. Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I bent over and picked up my cracked phone.

"Hello. Ma'am. Are you still there?"

"I..." my voice croaked, and I cleared my throat. "I'm here. I'll call the impound and see if they picked it up."

Hanging up, my thumb shook over Liam's number, my stomach threatening to erupt near the trash can.

"Tell the police, and your little cop friend joins your grave."

My eyelids pinched closed as I leaned against the wall and bent at the knees, my silent wail causing a crushing pressure in my chest.

Get it together, Ava.

I clutched my phone to the hurricane raging in my belly and stood straight, sucking in a deep breath through my stuffy nose.

With shaking fingers, I dialed Aria's number.

"Hey, did you change your mind?"

I shook my head as I put it on speaker, the screen letting loose shards of glass. "No. Have you started drinking yet?"

"Yeah, four in. Why do you sound like you're crying?"

Dammit.

"I..." Tears sparked fire into my eyes, and I rolled them back as I blinked them away. "It's no big deal."

"Sounds like it is." Her words slurred as though her tongue sat heavy against her teeth. "Tell me."

What if he comes after her?

"I'm fine. Just letting you know I'm going home like you suggested. I've got another call. Bye." I pressed the 'end' button and groaned, no other alternative coming to mind.

Nate...

My fingers found his name as though on autopilot and tapped his contact, the phone ringing like a megaphone in a quiet church.

Please pick up. Please…

The phone crackled after a few rings. "Hello?"

"Nate?" My voice gave out once his name passed my lips. A tear spilled down my cheek as my throat tightened. "Do you... Are you busy?"

"What's wrong, Ava?"

---