Page 193 of Dirty Damage

Mara is frantic when we walk into her tiny studio apartment. She shoves a box full of Sutton’s things right into my arms.

“It’s not like her to have left without an explanation!” Mara cries. “She was supposed to meet me at the smoothie bar. The barista said that she walked out half an hour before I arrived without her smoothie.”

“Did he say anything else?”

Mara’s not really looking at me. Her eyes keep darting to the little box that I’m rummaging through.

“It was her favorite, too. Chocolate avocado. She loves it. She wouldn’t have left it behind unless it was an emergency.”

Artem casts me a look. I’m pretty sure if the situation weren’t so serious, he’d be fighting back laughter. It’s a testament to how much he cares for Sutton that he manages to keep his expression suitably uneasy.

“The barista said that some guy came over and sat with her. It was Drew; I just know it was. That bastard’s been houndingher for months!” She twists around, her eyes landing on me as though she’s just realized she’s not alone. “She was only in contact with him because of her sister, you know? There was nothing else going on between Sutton and Drew. She hated the bastard.”

“You would say that,” I murmur, gazing at the odd collection of things Sutton left behind. Among the junk are the keys to the car I’d gifted her.

“I’m saying it because it’s true!” snaps Mara. “Sutton doesn’t have a deceptive bone in her body.”

“Then why wouldn’t she tell me that she was still in contact with Drew?”

“Uh, maybe because she knew you would freak out? Which youdid?!”

Artem clears his throat and steps forward. “That’s neither here nor there at the moment, Mara. We need to find out where Sutton went. Do you have any idea where to find her?”

“Hello? Were you not listening?” she yells. “Smoothie bar! Stalker ex-boyfriend! No explanations! I have no idea where Sutton might…” She trails off. “Except… maybe… her sister…” Her eyes focus on me. “She might have contacted her sister.”

I get to my feet. “Her passport is gone. It’s the only thing of value she’s taken.”

“So she might be in Vegas, then?” Mara wonders out loud.

“You sound unsure,” Artem points out.

“Only because Drew started working for Sydney’s boyfriend again. I doubt she’d go to Vegas knowing that Drew is back on Paul’s payroll.”

“But maybe she’s going there to ask for help,” I surmise. “I need to talk to her sister. I assume you have her number?”

Mara squints at me in suspicion. “What do you plan on doing when you find Sutton?”

I pull out my phone. “Sutton and I may be over, but that doesn’t mean I want her at the mercy of that dumbfuck ex of hers. He may be an idiot, but he’s a dangerous idiot. And there’s nothing quite as deadly.”

Mara’s bottom lip quivers. “Why the hell didn’t she tell me where she was going? I could have helped. I could have lent her some money!”

“As far as I can tell, she didn’t want to involve you any more than she already had,” Artem offers. “But she did want me to check on you, make sure you were alright.”

“She’s got the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.” Mara’s eyes water for a moment before her jaw hardens. “But for all that, she also has the lowest self-esteem. Thanks to all the ungrateful schmucks she ends up choosing.”

She meets me square in the eye. No points for subtlety.

I grind my teeth. “Sydney’s number?”

Mara nods, the quiver back in her lips. “Fine, I’ll give it to you. But only if you use your powers for good and not evil.”

She doesn’t wait for me to agree before she pulls up Sydney’s number and thrusts her phone at me.

I jot it down quickly and give Mara a nod as I make for the door.

“I’ll let you know if we manage to find her.”

She grasps my arm before I can walk out. “Please,” she begs, imploring me with her wide eyes. “Find her.”

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