Page 93 of Crave

That anger in his eyes faded, replaced by something colder. Controlled. He shifted, turning his head to scan the alley I’d just stumbled out of.

“Are you in trouble?”

The question hung in the air, cutting through the haze in my mind. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The lump in my throat was too big, the relief too overwhelming.Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as my knees finally gave way, and this time, he was ready.

He steadied me, one hand gripping my shoulder, the other hovering at his hip near the holster of his weapon. “Hey, look at me, " he said, his tone low, steady. “Who’s after you?”

I shook my head, there was no way I could say his name and no way this man would believe me.

The gunning of an engine echoed in the distance, closer now, and I flinched violently. He noticed, his body tensing as his gaze darted toward the sound.

“Stay here,” he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding.

But as he moved, I reached out, gripping his arm like a lifeline. “Please,” my voice husky. “Don’t leave me.”

For a moment, he hesitated, his dark eyes meeting mine again. Something in his expression shifted—resolve, maybe or understanding. His hand tightened on my shoulder.

“All right,” he said, his voice softer now. “I won’t.”

The promise was enough to keep me upright, though the shaking didn’t stop. Relief slammed into me, almost suffocating in its intensity. I wasn’t alone…not anymore. And for the first time in what felt like forever, a flicker of hope surfaced, one that told me I might survive the night.

“Why don’t you come with me?” He said. “The station’s right around the corner. We can talk there, if you feel safe. You can tell me who’s after you and I’ll do my best to keep you safe.”

Those tears came harder, silently sliding down my cheeks. I gave a nod, the words forced around the lump in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you so very much.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

ANGELICA

The fluorescent lightsof the small police station buzzed faintly above me, their harsh glare casting everything in sharp relief. I blinked against the brightness, my vision hazy, my head swimming. The cracked plastic chair beneath me creaked as I shifted, wrapping my arms tightly around myself. Goosebumps covered my skin, sweat slicked against my back despite the cold chill clinging to me..

“I need…help,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, trembling with desperation.

ANGEL…ANGEL, PLEASE! NOOO! BOOM!

The memory hit me again, as sharp and as brutal as the first time. Mom’s screams. The gunshot. The suffocating stillness that followed. My stomach twisted, my nails digging into my arms until the sting of pain brought me back to the present.

Even sitting here, under these cruel, sterile lights, I felt the weight of betrayal crushing me.

SWEAR TO ME. My mom’s voice echoed in my head as she begged.SWEAR TO ME ON YOUR LIFE. SWEAR IT. SWEAR IT!

I closed my eyes, dragging in a shaking breath. I was breaking my promise just by being here, speaking to this stranger. But I had nowhere else to go.

“It’s okay,” the man across from me said, his voice steady and soothing, like he was trying to coax a frightened animal. Realisation dawned on me. I guess I was that animal, wasn’t I? Sergeant Carter, his badge read. He sat on the edge of his desk, his tie loosened, the sleeves of his button-down rolled up. His face was tired but sharp, dark eyes studying me. Too intently.

“Take your time,” he urged. “Just tell me what happened—from the beginning.”

From the beginning.

How could I possibly tell him that? The truth about the blood on my hands, the gunshot that still haunted me? No…no I couldn’t do that.

My voice came out brittle. “You wouldn’t believe me.”

“Try me,” Carter said, his gaze steady. “You’re safe here. That’s all that matters right now.”

Safe.

That word still tasted foreign on my tongue. I didn’t believe it. I focused on the weathered police officer in front of me, searching those steady eyes for the truth—but I didn’t have any other options, did I? Time was running out…and so were the lies.