Page 29 of Jagged Line Paradise

I lower into my seat, place my elbows on my knees, and drop my head into my hands. I take a few shaky breaths before lifting my head to look at Jack Simmons with genuine fear. “Something bad happened to her...didn’t it?”

He returns my gaze with a scrutinizing look of his own. His eyes flicker through judgment, suspicion, consideration, then finally softens to a look of understanding. He speaks softly. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out, Andrés.”

A car pulls into the parking lot. I know this because the room we’re in is right next to it. There’s a small, high window to my right that lets in the light and the noise. The rumble of the engine is loud...and familiar.

Jack Simmons is still watching me as my head turns toward the sound. He sighs heavily. “So, whatcanyou tell me?”

I turn my head back toward him at the exact moment that there’s a quick knock on the door just before an officer whips it open.

“Jack, that truck you had me pull the title for earlier? It just pulled into the lot.”

“How do you know that?

“There’s only one ‘95 Silverado in Sunrise Valley. It’s pretty distinctive.”

“It must be my dad,” I say, my eyebrows dipping low as my eyes narrow. “What would he be doing here?”

“No, there’s a girl in the truck,” the officer at the door says. “Just sitting there.”

I jump to my feet but I can’t get past anyone to the door. Jack and his partner stand. He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Just hang on. Sit down. We’ll go check it out.”

“It might be Avalon.” My fists are clenched, muscles jumping with the need to move, to get out there and see if it’s her. “Please.”

“Stay put,” Jack asserts and they all slip out the door, shutting it behind them.

I run after it the moment it shuts, grasping the knob and turning, but it must be locked from the outside. I grab the chair Jack had been sitting in and shove it over to the outside wall. I climb up on it to peer out the window. I can’t get a full view, but fuck, my dad’s truck is outside.

I jump down off the chair, shove it over to the right a little farther, and climb back up. I press my cheek to the wall to see as far as I can on the angle. I watch as Jack approaches the driver’s side door first, his partner taking his time behind him, and the third officer who popped in right behind them. Jack stops suddenly as he looks into the driver’s side window.

He pulls the door open and reaches inside, turns his head to yell behind him, and in seconds, the car is practically surrounded with chaos, officers rushing everywhere. My heart thunders in my chest, pounding a painful rhythm to force urgency through my veins.

What thefuck is going on?

A flash of fiery orange shocks me senseless.

Orange, tangled, dirty hair.

Porcelain skin covered in dirt and blood and…gore.

It’s Avalon. My fucking sunshine, naked, injured, and driving my dad’s truck.

Someone throws a coat around her naked body and I throw myself down from the chair. I run to the door and frantically pound on it. “Hey! Let me out! Let me see her!” I shout.

I pound my fist against the door over and over and over again. It feels like fucking centuries have passed before the door finally opens. I rush past the officer who let me out, unconcerned for the consequences, even when I accidentally knock him into the wall in my hurry. I turn to face the reception area and see them lead her to a chair and I hear Jack tell his colleagues to get an ambulance.

I run for her.

Her head lifts.

Her green eyes lock onto mine.

Another officer grabs my arm, pulls me back, probably thinking I’m going to attack her or some shit since they seem to think I’m some kind of fucking criminal or something. But that’s when she stands, holding the two sides of the coat in front of her body to cover herself. “Andrés...” The tension etched into her beautiful face melts away and she sighs.

I yank my arm free and close the distance between us. The moment I’m in front of her, I throw my arms around her tight and hold on like I’m afraid she’ll float away.

“Hands off her!” Jack shouts, lunging forward like he’s going to pry me off her.

“No!” she shouts, her face burrowing into my chest. “No, I need him.I need him.” Her arms are tucked against her chest, crushed between us as I hold onto her. She pushes into me hard, as if she could fuse her body to mine. “I’m sorry, Andrés. I think I killed him.” She starts to cry. “I killed him. I killed your dad.”

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