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“Oh,” she says, dragging out the word. “I know you.. and God, you’re hotter in person.”

“Thanks,” I reply tightly. “Is Alex here?”

Her brow furrows, crossing her arms against her chest. “Should he be?”

“He’s not at his apartment.”

She immediately loses the appraising look and steps aside, motioning me in. The space is cluttered, more plants than furniture, vines hanging from the ceiling, and the smell of incense hanging thick in the air.

“When did you last see him?” I ask.

“Last night. He was fine when he left. Are you sure he’s missing? Maybe he’s at the gym or something.”

I shake my head, pulling out his broken phone. “His door was open, and I found this.”

For a second, she looks confused, then her eyes widen as she recognises the phone. Her hands fly to her mouth. “No.No. This can’t be happening. Did he—” She stops herself, eyes flickering before a deep frown settles on her face. “Wait. You’re the one who got my case dismissed, right?”

“Yes.? It comes out more like a question.

Her already wide eyes widen further, her voice coming out urgent. “Did he tell you? Someone promised him they’d do the same if he helped find who’s pushing Haze. Maybe this has something to do with that?”

Fuck, of course. Why didn’t I think of that? “Who else knew about your case?” I ask Halle.

“Just my lawyer and Alex,” she says, then falters. “Oh—and maybe Kane? He’s Alex’s boss, but they are really close. Alex usually tells him everything. I’m sure he told him about this, too.”

Isaac Kane.

I sift through my mind. I’ve looked into him before—clean record, family man—but now alarm bells are ringing again.

“Do you have his number?”

She rushes over to the couch, picking up her phone and scrolling quickly. “Here,” she says, handing it over. “You think someone did something to Alex?”

I don’t know how to answer that, so I don’t. I watch her face fall as I hand her back the phone.

“Rowan?” My name comes out of her mouth shakily. “Please tell me the truth.”

“I don’t know,” I say. “But if something did happen, I’ll find him.”

She starts pacing through the living room. Her hands shake at her sides. “You don’t understand,” she says. “I can’t let anythinghappen to him. I always promised I’d have his back, and I’ve been such a bitch to him lately.”

I do understand, I think. I can’t lose him again. I think losing him again would kill me.

Hazel eyes stare back at me, rimmed red with unskilled tears. “Please. He’s all I’ve ever had.”

My chest squeezes looking at her. Somehow, all the emotions I feel inside me are displayed on her face. Anger, grief, and above all—fear. Just like Halle, I can’t lose Alex, not when I just got him back, not when we’re on the brink of something real.

“I will,” I tell her. “I promise.”

It’s a promise to myself too.

In my pocket, my phone rings.

Xander.

“Tell me you found something.”

“Ian got the footage. Whoever took Alex had help—one blocked the camera, but we got a glimpse of their faces. I’m sending the images now.”