Nothing could surprise me more than when I walk out and see that Soti is the one who posted my bail. Call it a weak moment for me to go with him, but I’m not overthinking it. I shouldn’t have anything to do with him, given everything I’ve been through and the fact that he could probably break my bones with one twist of his little finger, but I’m not afraid. There’s something about him that feels trustworthy.

Endless hours of interrogation with two cops who couldn’t decide which role they wanted to take—good cop or bad cop—and I’d probably have left with anyone. I thought they were bringing me in about Bentley, but not a single word was said about him or Nico. They wanted to know two things: where my mother is, and how long we’ve been running a prostitution ring out of Maison D’amour. They eventually let up, but that doesn’t mean I want to stick around and wait for them to find something to pin on me.

The past forty-eight hours have wrung me out and a kind face is looking pretty good right now.

* * *

After a long shower, I tiptoe to Soti’s room. One of his T-shirts is folded on top of the covers and I put it on. Besides a few weekends at Nico’s house years ago and my nights in jail, I’ve never slept anywhere but Maison D’amour.

I put my new knife under his pillow and let the exhaustion carry me away. I wake up feeling disoriented and misplaced, but more rested than I have in a long time.

The room is sparse: bed, nightstand, lamp, and a chest of drawers. No pictures, no mirror, no curtains. A pile of books, a notebook, and a Power Rangers clock sits on his nightstand. I pick up the clock and frown.

Soti confuses me. But seeing him with Miss Jez last night when they didn’t know I was watching, and the way his eyes soften every time he looks at me … I don’t know what to make of him. There’s something familiar and comforting about him, but I know better than to get too comfortable with him. I don’t like feeling I owe anyone, certainly not a man.

The sooner I get out of here, the better. I crack open the bedroom door. The only sounds I hear are from the street. I make it to the bathroom and use the toothbrush he gave me last night. A set of clean clothes and underwear sit folded on the bathroom counter. I pick up the bra. It isn’t my size, but it’ll be better than the smoky one I’ve worn for days. I take a quick shower and dress in the things he left for me.

I feel like a burglar, sneaking down the hall to the kitchen. No Soti. Good. A folded blanket and pillow rest on the couch, the only sign that he’s been here. I grab a bowl of cereal and sit down at the computer. I need to find everyone.

I google ‘Maison D’amour’ and at least six articles pop up about the fire. The girls arrested are mentioned and I have a momentary pang of guilt that I hadn’t found a way to get them out yet. They don’t give her name, but Tricia must be the one they mention being in the hospital.

A large chunk of Maison D’amour is missing; I’m amazed they were able to save any of it. A lump forms in my throat as I scroll through each article, stopping to look at old pictures of Angel and Lexy. I can’t believe they’re gone. It doesn’t seem possible. There are a few pictures of me in handcuffs—I’d been oblivious to the cameras. Numb, I guess.

Nothing is said about Nico. I can’t get the picture out of my head of him standing over Bentley, dripping with blood. He must have had help getting out of there. Even though I’ve tried to avoid all news related to Nico and his family over the years, I do know this much: if anyone can get away with murdering the district attorney, it is the Santelli family. They get away with everything. I just never imagined it would be Nico doing those things. The man I knew acted hesitant to follow his uncle’s footsteps—maybe it was all a front. He had a gentle side that seems long gone now. It’s possible I never really knew him.

I expected him to find a covert way of getting me out of jail. Even last night, I thought he might show up at the community center to take me somewhere safe. I hope to God he doesn’t know where I am. I’d hate to bring any harm to this place, to Soti. Maybe Nico has enough to worry about, covering his tracks about Bentley.

I look up Bentley, but there’s no mention of him even missing yet.

I check my email and my hands start trembling when I see an email from Jonell. Jessica and Talon were released this morning, and Jonell is with Darla and Priscilla. They’re alive, thank God. No mention is made of my mother; I still don’t even know if she was at the house that night. Jonell gives me her new cell number and tells me to call when I get the message.

A faint knock taps on the door and then keys jangle in the lock.

“Oh good, you found the cereal,” Soti says when he walks in. He can’t stop smiling. It makes the scar on his forehead smooth and lighten. “I’m so happy you’re still here.”

I flush, embarrassed to be caught eating his food.

“I have more breakfast here, if you’re still hungry.” He holds up a Café Du Monde bag and coffee.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was nothing.” He looks at the computer screen. “Have you found out anything?”

I tell him the little I know.

“There’s something I should have told you last night. I don’t know why I didn’t tell you as soon as I saw you,” he says, shaking his head.

Here it comes. The catch. What he expects of me. I have to admit, I’m curious.

“I went by your house late last night. It’s bad, Lili. I’m sure you can tell by the pictures online. It’s all blocked off, though, so I couldn’t see everything. Maybe some of your things could be salvaged? I’m so sorry.”

I look at the screen. “Everything I owned was on this side.” I point at the left side of the house, which is now a gaping hole.

His hand grips my shoulder. I stiffen and he moves away. I take a deep breath and try to still my shakes. I have to find my mother. She’ll be devastated. I’m sure I’ll run into the girls once I get back to work. They’re all fully capable of taking care of themselves. We’ll find someplace temporary until the house is fixed and get back to business. It’s Alexis that worries me. The house means everything to her.

“I’m gonna head out soon,” I say.

“Oh.” He frowns. “Why?”

I shrug but don’t say anything.

“Okay, well, I want to give you this before you go then.” He pulls a cell phone out of his pocket. “Keep it. I have another one. It’s all covered. I put my number in there, if you ever need to reach me.” He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes this time.

I don’t want to take anything else from him, but I will take the phone.

“I’ll return it soon—when I’m back on my feet,” I tell him.

He looks away. “Why the rush to leave—where will you stay tonight? I’ll give you money, but it’s free to stay here.”

“I don’t need any money,” I tell him. “I can make enough in the next few hours to cover me for the week.”

He flinches and turns toward me. The expression on his face makes my gut cinch. His eyes are like copper in the sun. So bright I have to look away.

I swallow and my voice shakes when I speak. “Thank you for everything. I won’t forget this.”

I put the phone in my pocket and decide to go while we’re on the topic.

“Wait, take this, please.” He reaches in his pocket and gives me a crumpled up wad of cash. “It’s not as much as I’d like to give you, but it’s all I have right now.”

“Can I do anything for you?” I ask, stepping toward him.

“No. Not everyone sees you as a business transaction, Lili,” he says softly.

My face is heated as I take the money and shove it in my pocket. I turn around and rush to the door. Before I leave, I chance another look at his face, but when we make eye contact I’m even more unsettled.

I lift a hand, whisper my goodbye, and stumble out of there. My eyes burn as I walk down the stairs, and even though the community center is bustling at this time of day, I don’t notice anyone else. By the time I step outside, tears are streaming down my face. I don’t even know why. His kindness … it confuses me.

* * *

As soon as I get my bearings, I walk to a cafe. The courtyard looks inviting, so I sit at the table closest to the sidewalk while I call Jonell. She doesn’t answer, so I leave a message with my new number. She calls back within two minutes, and I pick up on the first ring.

“Hey, you okay?” I ask.

“Hey, where are you?”

“I’m at Rare Form. Where are you?”

“I’m okay. Worried about Alexis. She didn’t show up last night. Have you heard from her?”

“No, you’re the only one I’ve heard from. Does she have her phone?”

“She left it…”

Someone across the street yells and I’m distracted for a moment. I clear my throat. “Sorry, when you see her, can you give her my number? I think it’s probably good that we stay spread out for a while, now that the cops are watching.”

“You didn’t hear? Of course you didn’t, if you haven’t talked to your mère. The charges have been dropped.”

“You’re kidding. What did she do?” I exhale and it sounds loud in the cell phone.

“Sold her soul to le diable one too many times, I guess.” Jonell laughs. “She’s a mess. I didn’t ask any questions.”

“I guess I shouldn’t either,” I groan. I’ve got a bad feeling about all this. Nothing is adding up. “Hey, do you know how Tricia’s doing?”

“I heard she’s getting out tomorrow.”

“Oh good, so she’s okay.”

“I think so. Be careful out there,” she adds.

“Always,” I say before hanging up.

I guess I really am on my own. My stomach growls and I wish I’d eaten the beignets Soti bought for me so I wouldn’t want to eat everything on the menu now. Soti. It will take a while to forget him.

PING!

The sound bounces off my table. There are screams when a bullet lands next to me. A black sedan with tinted windows speeds past, the barrel of a gun peeking just outside the side window. I drop to the ground and start slithering toward the restaurant. Three gunshots follow in quick succession, and I cover my head and keep moving. Everyone around me scatters. When I’m almost to the door to the restaurant, two shots pop near my feet. Someone must have gotten out of the car, but I’m too scared to turn around and look. I duck inside. Once I’m a couple of yards inside, I get up and run to the back, through the kitchen, and out the back door.

I don’t stop running until I’m inside, up the stairs, and banging on his door. I put my hands on my knees and try to catch my breath. I knock again and wipe the tears off my face. He can’t see me so weak.

I feel a hand on my back and jump up and away.

“Lili! What happened?”

Soti stands behind me, his eyes full of concern.

“Someone’s … trying … to kill me,” I gasp.

He pulls me close and wraps his arms around me. I stand like a statue, but my entire body is humming.

“Let’s get you inside.” He clutches my hand and pulls me in.

* * *

I can’t stop talking. A nervous chatter so unlike me, I know I’m traumatized. But I can’t stop. And it doesn’t make any sense. I can tell I’m confusing the poor guy, but when I mention Nico Santelli, his body goes on full alert and I stop to take a breath.

“How long have you been involved with him?” He looks like he wants to punch a wall.

I swallow hard and let my mouth run away from me. “I have a history with him. But I didn’t see him for a couple of years … until recently,” I say, forcing myself to speak in present tense. “My mom has pushed the whole thing. I don’t know what’s going on between them. He’s changed a lot since I knew him…”

I don’t recognize myself, telling all my business like this. I glare at him and silently will him to make me stop talking. He just studies me and waits.

“I didn’t see who it was—it all went so fast. I didn’t think, I just ducked and ran.”

“You did the right thing. I’m glad you came back here. Do you think anyone followed you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“How did they know where to find you? Did they follow you from here?”

The blood rushes out of my face. “I didn’t tell anyone that I stayed here, but … I did tell someone that I was at the cafe.”

“How long before the shots started?”

I turn to him. “I don’t even know you,” I whisper.

“It won’t go past right here, I promise you.”

“Five minutes at the most.”

“Long enough then.”

He lets out a long string of words in … Greek, maybe? My eyes widen and he clamps his jaw tight.

“Pay no attention to me,” he says, his accent stronger than before.

“You’re full of surprises.”

He bites back a smile and walks toward the window, looking out at the street below. “I obviously can’t make you do anything you don’t want,” his voice is much calmer now, “but please stay. Let me help you.”

It’s as if he’s aware that his eyes on me would be too much. I’m a skittish colt. One wrong move and I’ll bolt.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Everyone knows you left, and we can continue making it seem that way. I’ll need to let JT and Miss Jez know—without telling them details—so they can help keep watch, but I trust them with my life. We’ll take every precaution any time you step foot outside this apartment. I’ll amp up our security and put word out that you’re under my protection. I have some resources too.”

He doesn’t explain what that means, but I trust him enough to believe it. I feel the heat beginning to return to my cheeks.

“If you get antsy spending so much time inside this building, we can come up with ways to get you out.” He can’t seem to hold back his smile. “You’re staying.”

And God help me, I grin back. It catches him so off guard he just stares. It makes me smile bigger.

“I have a little bit of good news, although now, considering the source, I’ll have to check it out. But … Jonell said all the charges were dropped.”

“That’s great news. And you’re here, with me. That’s the best damn news I’ve had all day.”