Page 27

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Z ip glanced down, seeing that his tank was almost empty. He had to waste time and stop for gas. He hated that he hadn’t filled up before the mission. He should have known he would need to fill up at the worst time imaginable.

He pulled into a gas station, cursing himself all the while. He hated that he was wasting time. Maybe he could have made it to Talia’s place, but he wasn’t sure. And if he had to go somewhere after, there’s no way he could drive anywhere else.

As he was scanning his credit card, a car pulled up next to him. He didn’t pay the person any mind and was surprised when they stepped to his side of the pump.

“Zip, I’m surprised to see you out. Didn’t you just get home from a mission?”

“Hey, Kevlar. Yeah, we just got home.”

“Aren’t you tired? What are you doing out? Should you be sleeping?”

Zip shook his head, wondering if he should get into it. “I don’t know. I can’t find my girl, and I’m worried.”

Kevlar sobered. “Wait, she’s missing? How long?”

“It’s going to sound stupid, but I came home, and she wasn’t there. All her stuff was there, but she left coffee in the pot.”

Kevlar narrowed his eyes, and his lips thinned. “Could she just have forgotten it?”

Zip shook his head. “I know it sounds stupid. The cops would laugh me out of the place if I went to them. That’s why I’m heading over to her old apartment to see if she’s there.”

“I’ll go with you. Let me fill up, and I’ll pull out right behind you.”

“You don’t have?—”

“Nonsense. If your woman is missing, I’m not abandoning you. I’ll text Remi and tell her I’m helping you.”

“As long as it’s not a bother.”

“Buddy, even if it was a bother, I’d help you.”

“Thanks, man.”

He was thankful he’d run into Kevlar. They might not find anything, but at least he had backup now.