C lamping at the stich in my side, my feet skidded to a stop as I bent over .

“Bella, what’s wrong?” Kelly draped his arm around me .

Shaking my head, I shut my eyes. “Is there a ladies’ room I can use before we go ?”

His hand rubbed my shoulders. “Of course. The second door on the right.” He pointed down the hall as we both straightened and stood upright .

Stepping away from his grip, my feet padded down the hallway in long strides. And with each step further away from Kelly, the wider my grin spread across my face .

Reaching out for the door handle, my palms began to sweat .

It was nearly impossible to keep a calm face. I closed my fingers around the knob and began turning it. When it didn’t budge I shook it harder, feeling that it was locked. Panic began to boil up in my chest, but I kept composed for fear Kelly would be on to me .

“The bathroom is that door.” Kelly pointed to the opposite wall with a pinched brow .

Glancing back to Kelly, I was sure he knew what I was about to do. This was no mistake. He told me it was this door, and now he was telling me it was to the left instead of the right. Smiling, I laughed the mistake off while silently cursing him .

Spinning around to the opposite door, my stomach jittered through a ball of nerves zipping up and down my spinal cord that threatened to reveal my cards .

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I swore they were going to bruise. And without looking, I could feel Kelly standing, staring, and watching with an eagle eye for any possible mistakes .

Fumbling with the door, it took me a couple of tries to finally get it to release, but when I had it open, I could see light at the end of the tunnel .

With one last glance at Kelly, he had a quizzical look on his face and I started to doubt my plan all together. I didn’t know what was more foolish: To think that I would get away with calling Alex without Kelly finding out, or me thinking that Alex wouldn’t hate me forever if I didn’t warn her what was coming. My options were terrible but I couldn’t let Alex down .

Closing the door, I locked it before leaning my back against it .

The sigh of relief escaped through my lips and I counted to three before pushing off the door and moving to the toilet where I proceeded to lower the seat cover. Plopping my butt down on top, I hurried to pull out my phone to call Alex .

With my thumb hovering over the green call button, I held my breath and listened to see if I was being spied on .

The room fell silent .

There was nothing .

Only paranoia plaguing my thoughts .

It wasn’t that I didn’t think Kelly didn’t trust me. I knew he did. It was just that I knew he didn’t trust me to not ruin his investigation. His work meant everything to him, and his quest to bring justice to those he believed innocent would trump all that dared to stand in his way. That was something I truly admired about him. He had worked hard to get where he was, and he wasn’t going to tarnish his reputation over a conflict of interest that unfortunately also involved me—his call girl, Bella .

When I was sure that the coast was clear, I mumbled to myself, “Fuck it,” and committed to hitting the call button .

The line began ringing .

My heavy lids closed as I listened .

And as I sat there with knees pressed together waiting for Alex to answer, it seemed as if each ring that followed drew out longer and longer until I began to give up hope that I would reach her at all .

C’mon, Alex, pick up , I silently pleaded as I fixed my gaze beneath the door .

A shadow passed in front and my heart skipped a beat .

Pulling my phone away from my ear, I almost hung up, ending the call all together. But then she answered. “Did you get my text ?”

“Alex, I don’t have much time,” I whispered in my lowest voice possible, covering my mouth with my hand. “But I need to know where you are .”

“At home. Why? Is everything all right ?”

“Are you with Nash ?”

“Kendra, what’s this about ?”

A noise came from the wall behind me .

My spine twisted as my gut lurched to see what it was .

Adrenaline pumped through my veins and kept me jumpy. Glancing to the ceiling, I feared I could be heard through the vent above .

Turning my head back around, the shadow beneath the door darkened. Sweat formed on my brow and the pulse in my neck ticked higher .

“Kendra?” Alex’s voice came through the line, grounding me. “Are you still there ?”

Wetting my lips with my tongue, I couldn’t respond. I knew someone was on the other side of the door listening—but could Kelly hear me ?

“Kendra?”

My heart thrashed between my ears .

“Shit. Did I lose you?” Alex cried. “Kendra, are you there ?”

Closing my eyes, I calmly said, “They’re coming for Nash .”

“Who?” I could imagine the concern flashing over her eyes. “Who is coming for Nash ?”

My hands began to shake. “Kelly.” Gasping for air, I suddenly couldn’t breathe. “I don’t have a good feeling about this .”

“Is this about that dead girl ?”

“You need to get out of the house, now !”

A knock on the door made my eyes pop out of my head .

“I gotta go.” I reached behind me to flush the toilet. “Do what I said. Trust me. I’ll explain later .”

Another set of knocks rapped against the door. This time harder than the last .

Killing the call, I raised my voice and responded, “Just one minute .”

Standing, I ran my fingers through my hair before stuffing my phone deep inside my purse .

The knob jiggled and I fought to compose myself .

Moving to the sink, I turned on the water and stuck my hands beneath the faucet .

The door shook, and with the handle jiggling I was at a loss for words .

Staring at myself in the mirror, I quickly fluffed my bangs and blinked some life into my eyes .

Then a second later the door flew open .

Turing around with a playful glimmer in my eye, I said, “In a hurry, are you ?”

I followed Kelly’s eyes to my purse perched on the sink counter. I knew he wanted to get his hands on my phone, wanted to see who he’d heard me talking to. Taking it in my hands before he got to it first, I put my arm through the strap and tucked it beneath my elbow. “You know, Kelly, you should have told me .”

He gave me a questioning look .

Raising my brows, I said, “To wear something jet black .”

He arched a brow .

“Because black is a more appropriate color to wear—” I took a step forward and placed my hand on his shoulder, “—when killing a friendship .”