8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Amelia
Running down the street, chasing after a criminal is a lot more fun in the movies I’m sure. In real life, my heels are killing me, my dress is too tight and riding up, and there are too many people in the way. I’ve been in and out of and around buildings all down the Strip, and somehow I’m still on Thane’s tail.
When he stops to purchase something from a street vendor, I slow to a walk and kick off my heels, holding them by the straps, desperately trying to ignore the sticky grime beneath my feet and drag in some much needed air. If I'm going to be chasing people down on a regular basis, I'm going to need to add some protein and veggies to my diet.
It may not be worth it.
I sigh and continue on after my suspect.
Wait, where is Thane? I glance around, but…I’ve lost him.
No! How did I do that? He was right there, and then I got distracted.
Is that him turning down that alley?
I speed up, hoping to catch sight of him, but I don’t spy him down that alley, or the next one.
I don’t know where I am, and I’m tired. But I refuse to call it quits. I turn down the street in a direction I pray will take me back to the Strip. I reach for my phone to call Maddie, then remember I left my purse at the table when I took the stage.
What kind of P.I. leaves their phone behind? Clearly I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m nothing if not teachable.
A loud slam echoes through the alley up ahead and I freeze. What was that? And why is it so dark? I thought I was heading toward the Strip, not away from it.
I scoot closer to the shadows on the opposite side of the alley and press on. I just need to get back to the Strip.
Another twenty steps, and I can make out a small shop. It looks like a tiny post office but with huge lockers instead of small ones. The person manning it has clearly gone home for the night. The station consists of a single door, and a shadow quickly moves behind it.
Someone’s in there.
My body seizes, the thumping of my heart the only sound in my ears. I can’t will myself to investigate, but I also can’t walk away. I’m powerless. Which means whenever that person comes out of there, I’m a sitting duck. I need to move. Now.
Glass breaks and a man darts out of the station.
Alarms blare, and I run down the opposite side of the street. I’m not about to get caught for his crimes.
But it’s not just any man; it’s Caleb’s dad. That criminal!
I race after him. But he doesn’t slow. He must keep in shape for his nefarious purposes.
Only once we’ve turned down the next alley do I dare yell out to him.
“Hey, stop!”
Thane looks backward, startled. But he keeps running.
“I know who you are, Thane Harris.”
At this, he comes to a complete stop. He turns, eyes narrowed in on me like Caleb does. But where there’s love behind Caleb’s eyes, there’s none in his dad’s. Only a dangerous curiosity.
“How do you know my name?”
“I’m Caleb’s girlfriend. I came to find you.” I slow my steps, my voice coming out embarrassingly breathless.
At the sound of his son’s name, something shifts in Thane’s eyes. “Caleb? As in my Caleb?”
“No offense, but he’s mine, not yours. You don’t deserve him.”
Amusement flicks across his eyes. “I won’t argue there.”
A cop car zooms by, the sirens wailing down the alley, and Thane turns to keep walking down the street, away from the place he just robbed.
“Don’t you want to know why I came to find you?”
“Not really.”
“Caleb wants to talk to you.”
He looks over at me but continues marching forward at an accelerated pace. “He said that?”
I glance both ways before crossing the street behind him. “Not in so many words.”
“Meaning he didn’t say that,” Thane scoffs.
“No, but I know he wants his father in his li—”
“No, he doesn’t.”
He has a point. But maybe this goes deeper. For me, at least. “Well, then maybe I want you to apologize. Maybe I want you to see the good man your son has become and feel bad about it. Maybe—”
He turns so abruptly I almost run into him. “Maybe I already do.”
I study his face. “Which one is it?”
Another cop car zooms by, and Thane mutters a curse. “It doesn’t matter right now. We need to get off the street. Where are you staying?”
I scoff. “Like I’d tell a criminal. I’ve already had one dead body in my tub. I don’t want to be the next one.”
He raises a brow. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m going to get you back safely before those cops come after us.” He taps on his phone and looks up at me two seconds later. “The Uber will be here in just a moment.”
“I’m not riding with you.”
“Okay, call yourself a car.”
I pat my pocketless dress. Dang it.
“Fine.” I purse my lips. “But you’re paying too.” Now, that’s how you negotiate with criminals.
The car pulls up, and I tell the driver where to take me. The second the Uber drives into the street, Thane turns on me.
“You seem like a nice girl trying to do something sweet for your boyfriend. And honestly, I’m a little surprised you found me. Perhaps you’d like to tell me how you did it?”
“No comment.” I bite my bottom lip. That’s an Ace card I’m not about to lose.
“But you’re also extremely reckless. You shouldn’t be anywhere near me. Your boyfriend doesn’t want you anywhere near me.”
“I’m not reckless,” I retort.
“Where are your shoes?”
I glance at my bare feet and empty hands. I must have dropped them somewhere. “They were thrift store shoes,” I say as an explanation.
He just shakes his head like he can’t believe the child he got stuck with. I’m not too fond of the man I’m stuck with right now, either. It’s silent for a few moments, and I’m about to tell Thane off when he speaks.
“Do you love him?” he asks, so softly I think I must have misheard.
I study the gray sprinkled through his hair. He’s missed so much of his son’s life. Is it possible he truly regrets it?
“More than anything in the world,” I say firmly.
“Is he happy?” His eyes find mine, and they are so much like Caleb’s it catches me off guard.
“He is.”
“Good.” Thane nods as the car stops in front of the hotel.
I look over at him. “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. And I wish you felt the same way.”
Thane looks away while I reach for the door, and I see him as the coward he is. If this is the last time I ever see this man, I’m going to make it count.
“You know, I came to see if you’d changed, if you could handle a genuine relationship with your son instead of taking from him again. But I see you haven’t. It’s sad. And pathetic.”
“Agreed. Get out.”
“Actually, I don’t think I’m done. You are—”
“You are done.” He opens his door and grabs my arm, dragging me out of the car behind him.