I had to leave.

I couldn’t stay.

And I certainly couldn’t tell Kelly where I was heading without him sniffing out the anxiety making my nerves jitter.

I glanced at the time. My knee bounced beneath the table. Looking to the front door for the millionth time, I was anxious to know who Madam was sending and how the hell they were going to find me here—the no-name diner I requested Alex meet me at.

If only Alex would get here soon, then at least I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone when the time came for me to face the music.

The waitress came by to take my order. I told her I wasn’t ready but I would start with a glass of water. It was the least I could do to calm my nerves and sober up a bit in an attempt to get my head on straight.

A minute later Alex walked into the small diner. I let out a sigh of relief that was drowned out by the cutlery clinking on tables and scratching against plates. We locked eyes and the pressure that squeezed my lungs as I was waiting impatiently for her to come released a little bit more, allowing me to breathe easier.

Scooting my butt out from behind the booth, I spread my arms wide and welcomed her with a big bear hug. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Alex laughed. “Set me down. It hasn’t been that long.”

“A minute away from you feels like eternity.”

“That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”

“If I’m not dramatic then you’ll think something’s wrong.”

“I know something is wrong.” She eyed me.

I gave her a questioning look.

“Your head.”

I leaped forward and squeezed her with all my might until she begged me to let her go. I laughed, loving everything about her. Her honesty, the way she held me accountable, teased me, and held me. Then, without warning, the hairs on the back of my neck rose.

Through the window I caught sight of a man wearing a dark leather jacket and torn jeans staring directly at me. “Do you know him?”

Alex furrowed her brow as she followed my gaze across the room. Shaking her head she said, “No idea who he is.”

“Fucking paparazzi,” I barked as he raised a camera and began snapping photos.

Flipping him the bird, Alex quickly pulled my arm down and scolded me. “Kendra!”

“What?” My eyes shifted over to hers. She gaped. Like she should have expected anything less from me. “Fucking assholes have no right following you around like that.”

“C’mon. Let’s sit down.” When Alex’s bottom hit the bench, she winced.

“Sore from Mike’s workout?” I asked, unable to stop myself from glancing toward the window. The man had vanished, and knowing that he was gone only made me feel a little better about being so exposed to people who deliberately set out to violate our privacy.

Alex nodded. “I felt like I’d been tortured.”

“Yeah, me too.” I snickered. “Not to mention the good pounding Kelly gave me after.”

Alex smirked.

“Though something strange is happening to me.”

Alex’s brows knitted as she reached for my water glass.

“I’m having trouble getting off if the sex isn’t rough.” I angled my head to the side. “Do you have that problem?”

“Not even.” She swallowed down her large gulp of water. “I can’t stand the pain.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “I’m mostly into the role-playing.”

We both laughed.

“That’s cute.” My face scrunched as I thought about it some more. “I think.”

Alex snickered.

“See, I told you there was something wrong with me. I need it vicious. Primal. Like jungle lovers.”

“Jungle lovers?” Alex’s cheeks reddened.

I wiggled my eyebrows. But I didn’t dare mention how I had Kelly fucking me with his pistol last night. I’d never hear the end of it and Alex would certainly push me to seek psychiatric help. More so than she already was for choosing to ignore what my uncle did to me.

As if reading my thoughts, Alex said, “I guess you’re managing your triggers better now.”

Dropping my gaze to my hands splayed out in front of me, I nodded.

“I still think you should seek professional counseling.”

“I’m fine.”

“You say that, and I believe it.” She leaned forward, smiling. “I can see it in your eyes when you talk about Kelly. I’m happy for you Kendra. I know what it’s like to fall in love, but those emotions aren’t just going to go away.”

Everything she said was true. I knew it better than anybody. But I didn’t need help. I’d been dealing with this on my own for most of my life, and would for the rest of it as well.

“How’s Nash doing?” I asked.

Her shoulder shrugged as she leaned back. “He’s stressed out. There is always some deadline he’s up against.”

Touching my throat, I felt guilty for the way Kelly went after Nash. Kelly was obsessed, convinced Nash was the one to murder Maria.

“Hey.” Alex pointed at me. “You aren’t still feeling bad about what happened, are you?”

Nodding, I began laughing.

“Don’t worry, babe. Things have settled down with Nash. And we’re still friends.” Her face twisted sideways. “Even though I have to wonder why sometimes.”

“Not funny!” I swatted the air out in front of her.

“Seriously though, Kendra. Nash is worried about the timing of Tonya’s death and wants to know if Kelly sees any similarities between hers and Maria’s murders.”

“Why doesn’t he just ask Kelly himself?”

She barked out a sarcastic laugh. “You know he can’t do that. At least not yet. There is still tension between them. You know that.”

My voice lowered to a whisper. “I confronted Madam about it.”

Alex’s eyes popped wide open. “What did she say?”

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I said, “She didn’t seem too concerned.”

Alex frowned. “Have you talked about it with Kelly?”

Reaching for my glass, I wrapped my fingers around the bottom. “Kelly is worried. But he can’t fully admit that I’m no different than Tonya.”

“Like he knows you’re in some kind of danger?” Her words were laced with the same concern I’d been feeling.

I glanced up into her beautiful, caring eyes and said, “I want out of my contract, but I don’t know how.”

Alex bent her elbow and propped her head up inside her hand. Biting her lip, she asked, “You don’t think Madam was behind Tonya’s death, do you?”

Turning my head away, I was afraid to admit it. But in the end I did.

“Shit.”

Nodding, I told Alex everything, beginning with how Madam set Kelly up to blackmail Parker. And how, immediately after that, Tonya was found dead. “It was like she set this whole thing up. Knew exactly how we would all react to get her what she was after without having to lift a finger.”

Alex gnawed on her cheek, thinking. Shaking her head, she said, “It doesn’t make sense. Tonya was her own girl—”

“I know.” I picked at my nails. “That’s what makes this so fucked up.”

“Why would she do that?”

I had my theories as to why, but before I could share them with my best friend a man walked into the diner, quickly eyeing me.

Frozen stiff, my stomach did somersaults thinking that he was here for the delivery. I had the package with me, tucked away, hidden deep inside my tote. Alex wouldn’t even know I had it except for the fact that she could see the concern I was feeling deepen the lines on my forehead.

Reaching across the table, Alex clamped her fingers around my wrist.

I hardly noticed, unable to take my gaze away from the man who kept his eye on me the entire walk to his table.

Then my phone started ringing and I jumped.

“Kendra. Easy.” Alex squeezed my arm. “What’s going on?”

Digging in my tote, I pulled out my cell. “I need to take this.”

“Who is it?”

I answered. “Mom you can’t just call me like this.”

Alex quietly clapped her hands, proud I’d made the call to Mom just as she suggested I do.

“I told you I would call you when I was ready.” I regretted calling Mom from my own phone, thinking she wouldn’t be tech savvy enough to know how to find the number I was calling from. Clearly, I had underestimated her abilities.

Alex stepped away quietly saying that she was off to use the toilet and I nodded, more concerned with what Mom had to say next.

“You may not be ready, but your father is.” Mom’s voice was crisp and straight to the point. “He’s not doing well, Kendra, and I would like for you to see him before it’s too late.”

Dropping my forehead into my hand, I said, “Fine.”

Even if this was Mom’s way to get me to agree to see her, I knew now that once the door was opened it wasn’t going to be easy to shut.

“Where are you?” I asked.

She gave me the address. It was the same one I’d always known—my childhood house—the one I swore forever ago I would never go back to.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I felt my chest hollow and my heartbeat weaken.

A shadowy figure sat down opposite me, taking Alex’s spot just as I was hanging up. “Can you believe Mom—” I glanced up and quickly snapped my mouth shut. The man who had eyed me only a few minutes ago now sat where Alex was supposed to be sitting.

“You have something for me.” His words were casual. His demeanor calm, collected. But nothing about him was relaxing.

Narrowing my gaze, I turned my head to the side and said, “What’s the magic word?”

He looked toward the counter, then back at me with confusion crossing his face.

“There is no magic word.” I laughed, turning to dig out the package. “I’m just playing with you. Geeze.” Sliding it over to him, I told him he wasn’t any fun and that he should grow a sense of humor before his next pick-up.

Instead of reacting, he reached inside his jacket and exchanged the package for a white envelope.

“What’s this?” I asked as he stood, leaving me with the sealed envelope.

Peering down at me with black eyes, he said in gruff voice, “You’re next orders from Madam.”