Page 28 of Girl Lost
A familiar tightness settled in Corbin’s chest. “Nothing solid yet. Angie and Marge couldn’t give me much. But...” He glanced at Luna. “Turns out I’ve got a new partner on the case now. At least for a while.” He looked back at Blade. “I’m gonna get her up to speed. See if her fresh eyes can spot something I missed.”
Luna remained silent, her expression unreadable, as she continued to observe them. What was she thinking? Was she regretting her decision to help? Or was she already planning her next escape?
“Oh really?” Blade tried to contain a grin. “Well, two heads are better than one, especially on a case like this. I’m glad you’ve got some help, brother.” Blade nodded towards Luna. “Between the two of you, you’ll figure it out.” He headed out of the observation room and disappeared into the bustling hallway.
Corbin held the door. “Let me make that call to Major Drugs, see what we have on DeLuca. Then we can switch gears.” He glanced at Luna and gestured for her to go first. “Time for your crash course on Carlie Tinch.”
“I could use a shower and a change of clothes first. Do we have time?” Her gaze drifted to her soot-stained jeans.
He looked down. Fire had charred the denim around her ankles. He saw it then, the white bandage peeking out from the edges of the ruined fabric. “That burn...” He sucked air through his teeth.
She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. Just a little scorched. The EMTs gave me some antibiotic ointment. Should do the trick.”
“Luna, it looked...” Bad. He swallowed the word. He’d seenenough burns in his life to know that one needed more than ointment. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ve had worse.” She met his gaze, a challenge in her eyes.
He nodded. Arguing was pointless. He glanced at his watch. Almost six o’clock. They’d be working late tonight, for sure. He could use something for his aching shoulder. And a shower too. She’d probably appreciate him washing off the grime and sweat. Maybe they could grab a bite to eat. He hadn’t eaten all day and bet she hadn’t either.
“Okay. Shower first. Then food. My treat.” And then they’d talk about that burn again. “Want me to drop you at your hotel?”
“I haven’t checked in anywhere yet.” She seemed to notice how close she was walking beside him and stepped aside. “My car’s still at the gym. Think I can shower there?”
“Yeah, sure.” He wanted to suggest she stay with Tori tonight, but he’d already pushed enough. “I’ll drop you then meet you at my office. Seven?”
He watched her for any sign of hesitation.
“Perfect.”
Maybe this was it. Maybe this case would be the thing that kept her here. Kept her from running. He had a chance now. A chance to make things right. To show her he wasn’t the boy who’d walked away all those years ago. He could prove to her, to himself, that he was capable of loyalty. Of commitment. Of love.
If he could keep her from bolting.
As she climbed into his car, he straightened his shoulders. Drew in a deep breath and pushed it out. He should stop focusing on his feelings for Luna and focus on doing his job.
Two cases, both with lives hanging in the balance.
And he was no closer to solving either of them.
10
LUNA SHIFTED HER WEIGHT,favoring her uninjured leg. Sherocked back on her heel and launched her fist forwardwith all the strength she could muster. Her knuckles slammed into the worn leather heavy bag with a thud. Theimpact vibrated through her bones,but she welcomed the raw,stinging pain as a distraction from the knot of anxietyin her stomach.
An hour. That was all the time she had before she was back at his office, diving into the case, figuring out what she’d gotten herself into with the missing teen, Carlie Tinch. But first, she needed this. Needed to get the rage out.
Another blow, this time a knee that slammed into the bag with the rage of a trapped animal. “Sorry?” She gritted her teeth against the pain that shot up her leg. “He’s just ... sorry?”
A flurry of jabs followed, each one punctuated by a soft grunt. “After all this time, he can’t expect ‘I’m sorry’ to erase everything.”
Tori stuck her head around the heavy bag. “He did save your life, mija.”
“Saved my life? He did not save my life. We were like, six feet from the front door.”
Well, maybe Corbin had saved her life because all she couldremember was staring at the fire. Transfixed. The whole thing a blur of orange and red flames. The only clear image was a pair of strong arms shielding her. Pulling her back, away from the inferno. Arms that belonged to Corbin.
She wasn’t about to go there. Too many emotions she wouldn’t let surface. Except ... anger. Anger, she could handle.
“I didn’t need saving.” She punched the bag. Softer. “I can take care of myself. Always have.” A mantra she repeated to herself all too often.
