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If I didn’t know any better, I would think he doesn’t exist.

But unfortunately, I know that’s not the case.

He killed my brother. He almost killed me. And that means I need to find him.

I don’t think I’ll know peace until he’s no longer breathing.

I step into the small corner shop and smile at the girl behind the counter. She’s probably a couple of years younger than me, with long raven hair pulled into a neat ponytail on the top of her head.

Wary green eyes look me over as I approach, and I plaster a bright smile on my face.

“Hi! I spoke with someone a couple of days ago about looking at a recording from your cameras out back?”

Her brows tug together, and her eyes look to what I assume is the backroom. I spoke to who I assume is her mother, but she clearly hasn’t filled in the girl in front of me.

I take a step closer and pop my hip against the counter. “My boyfriend is notorious for cheating on me. I know I need to leave him, but he’s possessive, and he’s so good at gaslighting me that I always end up caving.” I sigh dramatically. “I thought if I had the footage, maybe he’d actually let me go, you know? If I have a video that shows him with another woman, surely he can’t make it look like I’m insane, like he usually does.”

It’s the same story I told the woman I spoke to, almost to the word, and it seems to do the job as the girl’s shoulders relax slightly. “I’m sorry he treats you like that,” she says softly. “My mom said someone would be by.” She reaches under the counter, and I hold my breath for a moment. I’ve seen one too many shopkeepers pull a gun, but when she drops a thumb drive on the counter, I relax slightly. “There’s an hour either side of the time you mentioned he might be in the area on here. I hope it helps.”

I look up at the ceiling, not at all faking the gratitude I feel for her, even if my excuse for needing the footage is a complete fabrication. “Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

She gives me a slight smile as I slip the thumb drive into my purse and turn on my heel, waving over my shoulder as I push out into the afternoon heat.

At least I’m only about a half-hour walk back to my apartment, because walking in this sun is brutal.

The streets are quieter on the weekend in this area, considering all the office buildings are mostly empty, but there are a few people milling around as I turn down a side street to cut a few minutes off my walk and get out of the beaming sun.

My phone vibrates for the fifth time since I left my apartment, and I sigh. It can only be one of two people, and I don’t feel like dealing with either of them. But if it’s Lucas, he’ll just get more and more agitated the longer I ignore him, and if it’s Orion, I don’t want him to worry, even if I am trying to break things off with him.

Turns out, it’s both of them.

Fantastic.

Lucas: Where’s the money, Ember? I expect it by the end of the day, or I’m adding another ten grand to your debt.

Lucas: Don’t ignore me, Ember. And get me an update about the Hunter.

I groan and type out a quick reply, once again reminding him I’m not a prostitute and would not be charging anyone to spend time with me, and tack on the end that I’m working on a lead and will let him know if I have anything.

Orion: I swear I wasn’t talking to myself when I laid out your rules last night, Ember. Where are you?

Orion: Please don’t ignore me. Let me know where you are and if you’re safe.

Orion: Ember?

I roll my eyes at his worry. It’s literally been two hours since he left my apartment. What exactly does he think could have happened to me in that time?

Ember: I’m fine. I’m just working. I’ll let you know when I’m home.

There. Quick, straight to the point, no emotions. That should put his mind at ease without confusing the situation.

Except my phone vibrates in my hand again before I can think to slip it back into my purse. Oh, for god’s sake. He’s not making this easy for me.

Probably because you promised you wouldn’t run,I remind myself.

Orion: That doesn’t answer my question. Where are you?

Ember: About twenty minutes from my apartment. I don’t know what street it is, but I’m fine. No need to worry.