Page 27 of The Darkest Chase

Maybe I shouldn’t blame the drug supplier.

Maybe I should blame Jet for his choices alone, the wrong ones he made to escape the hellish way we grew up.

But someone tempted him down that path to death.

Someone gave my brother the poison and the habit that killed him.

I can’t stand that heartbreak happening to anybody else.

My brother deserves that much.

After the way he’d protect me when we were kids, standing between our father and his furious fists while he snarled at me for being so weak, so scrawny, this bloodless abnormal freak.

It took years to stand on my own, to find my inner strength.

Just like Talia Grey.

Maybe that’s why I’m actually feeling guilty as I eye that unanswered text. The double check mark says she left me on Read.

I do hope she’s feeling better.

I checked with dispatch for any new medical emergency calls, just in case. It’s more likely she doesn’t want to get involved with my mess.

Maybe she can sense I’m trouble, and she’s right.

I’m asking to drag her into something she should never make her business.

“Am I fucking this up, Rolf?” I scratch under his furry jaw. “She’s a nice girl. So innocent. If I ask her to do this, she might lose that. She might walk away tarnished and bitter.”

But if I don’t, I could lose my best chance to pin down Xavier Arrendell and destroy his greedy ass.

Rolf doesn’t have any answers, but his tail thumps harder.

I can’t help but smile.

“You’re never much for conversation,” I whisper, letting him lick my hand. “But you are a good boy.”

I start to swap my phone for my drink, but before I can set it down, it vibrates in my hand.

Talia Grey: I’m okay. No concussion or anything. I’ll be there.

Damn, now we’re talking.

Tonight, at least I can ask if Talia will hear me out.

So I drop my phone on the accent table, toss back my cocktail in a fuming burn of liquor and strong espresso, and stroke Rolf’s fur.

“C’mon, old man.” I stand to pull his leash down from its hook by the door. “Let’s go meet a girl and try not to scare her.”

5

GOING DARK (TALIA)

Idon’t know what I’m doing here.

Honest to God.

Not after Officer Ainsley texted directions to a secluded spot on Still Lake, over on the far side where it’s all trees hugging close to a thin strip of grassy shore.