Chapter 10
Laiken
Under normal circumstances, once Elody is down for the count, I try to unwind. I’ll clean up the kitchen. Maybe watch some game footage. Whatever it takes to make my brain shut off for a while.
But tonight, the stillness gnaws at me.
I stand at the sink, staring at the pot Kia used, the cutting board that still smells faintly like garlic and herbs. The place hasn’t smelled like real food in… I can’t remember. Katie always cooked, but it never lingered in the air the way this does.
I dry my hands as my gaze drifts to the phone on the counter. It’s tempting to text and make sure she got home safely. Not only did she leave late, but she was alone. Chicago is like any other big city. It’s safe if you take the proper precautions.
I mean, don’t I have a responsibility to make sure she arrived at Oliver’s safely?
It would be shitty on my part if I didn’t check in. Not only is Oliver a teammate, but he’s a friend. His sister is doing me a solid by helping out.
Right.
I pounce on the phone and quickly type out a message. My thumb hesitates over the screen far longer than necessary.
Me:
Did you get home all right?
I hit send before I can overthink it, then set the phone down and walk away. Two seconds later, I’m back, staring at the dark screen, as if that’ll make it light up with a response.
It doesn’t.
Annoyed with myself, I pace the length of the living room. The hardwood creaks in a familiar way beneath my socks.
Still nothing.
Should I call?
What if something happened?
It’s been at least thirty minutes since she left. Just as I consider calling, the phone buzzes. My pulse kicks hard enough that it becomes necessary to steady my grip before looking at it.
Kia:
Actually… no.
With a frown, I stare at the message.
Me:
What do you mean—no?
Typing bubbles appear before disappearing. Then they return again. A few seconds later, there’s still nothing.
A full minute crawls by before my phone buzzes.
Kia:
I went to Oliver’s but had to leave.
What the hell is that about?
I stop pacing as worry eats at me.
She should be relaxing at Oliver’s place. Maybe watching a little TV. Or scrolling TikTok. Isn’t that what women her age do?
Does she even know this city?
My jaw tightens as I hastily type out another message.
Me:
Where are you?
There’s another long pause.
Too damn long.
Is this woman trying to give me a heart attack?
Because that’s the direction this is headed.
Kia:
It’s not a big deal. I just walked in on Oliver and Rina having a little private time in the living room. So…
A startled laugh huffs out of me before I bite it back and pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing down a flicker of amusement because the situation isn’t funny. Not really.
Me:
So you left? Alone?
The answer comes quicker this time.
Kia:
Yes?
Goddammit.
Me:
Tell me where you are.
Kia:
Good question. I’m not sure. Just walking around.
Yeah… there’s absolutely no way I’m going to let that continue. My fingers fly across the screen before I can think better of it.
Me:
Send me your location and then stay put.
There’s a beat before she responds.
Kia:
Are you serious?
Me:
Dead serious. Send it now.
A few seconds pass that are nearly enough to take years off my life before she sends her location with a pin. I’m already messaging the car service I use. It’s so damn tempting to pick her up myself, but I can’t leave Elody alone.
Me:
A driver is on the way. He’ll be there in five. I’m calling you, and we’re going to stay on the line until he arrives.
I hit the call button before she can argue.
She answers on the second ring. “That’s not—”
“Yes, it absolutely is.” My voice comes out gruffer than I intend. “Just stay put.”
Kia goes silent as the noise of the city fills the space between us. There’s traffic, distant music, and the shuffle of someone walking by.
“Are you okay?” I ask, gripping the phone tighter and pacing the living room, unable to keep still.
“I’m fine,” she mutters. “Just embarrassed. And cold.”
“Get near a building entrance,” I tell her. “Somewhere well lit.”
There’s the sound of feet moving and then an exhale from the other end of the line. We stay on the phone until the driver arrives, only hanging up when she’s safely tucked inside the car and the door is closed behind her.
Even though I know she’s safe, the tension doesn’t drain from my muscles as I continue pacing, glancing toward the elevator every thirty seconds.
What the hell is taking so long?
It’s been approximately…
Five minutes.
Why does it feel more like thirty?
When the elevator finally dings, the sound jolts through me as I stalk toward the entryway. The doors slide open, and she steps out. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, and a few more strands of golden hair have escaped her bun.
A part of me settles and unravels at the same time as my gaze combs over her, making sure she’s all right.
“You shouldn’t be walking around alone in the city at night,” I snap. “It’s not safe.”
Her eyes widen as she stutters to a stop. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”
I don’t tell her she did. Nor do I tell her that my heart has been lodged in the middle of my throat since the second I realized she wasn’t at Oliver’s. And I certainly don’t tell her that seeing her step out of the elevator is enough to weaken my knees with relief, making them feel rubbery.
Instead, I jerk my head in a nod. “The next time this happens, you call me.”
When she blinks, I have the strangest urge to eat up the distance between us and tug her into my arms. That’s the moment I realize just how fucked I am where this woman is concerned.