Chapter 12
Twelve
VIOLET
Idon’t think I’ve ever been this goddamn nervous in my life.
I’ve been pacing around my apartment for an hour. Every few minutes, I stop in front of my Rosie wall and read all the information I have, which isn’t nearly enough. I read her letter to me over and over again. I keep the original folded up in my purse, but I have a photocopy of it on the wall.
I know it word for word, but I read it anyway, in case something new jumps out at me.
I have a feeling about tonight.
I almost spilled my guts to Mateo in the ring today. I wanted to tell him everything to see if he can help me, but there’s still that little voice in the back of my head reminding me that I’m not certain he’s not in with Damien.
He says he’d never hurt me, but what if trafficking women is one of his many businesses and I get in his way?
I can’t chance it.
Checking the time, I see that it’s after nine, so I need to get ready. I take a shower with unscented soap and shampoo because if I have to hide, I don’t want a scent to tip anyone off to me being there. Then, with my hair still wet, I plait it into a long, tight braid. I don’t want it to fall out.
Not bothering with makeup, I go to the closet and pull on panties and a simple black sports bra, then a snug black tank and black tactical pants. Is it weird that I own tactical pants? Maybe. But they’re comfortable, and they have a ton of pockets, so I can hide weapons in them.
I lace up my black high-top Chucks with black laces and then reach for the black belt bag that I use across my body and tuck my small pistol inside, along with some necessities.
After sliding switchblades into two of my pockets, I look in the mirror and grimace.
I look like I’m trying too hard.
Or like I’m in a bad action-adventure movie. Or like I’m trying to be Lara Croft.
But I’m comfortable, I’m armed, and I’m ready to find Rosie.
I’ve never needed to own a car in Vegas. I’ve always used a rideshare, and I do the same now, but I put the destination address in as four blocks away from where I’m really going, and I’ll walk the rest of the way.
Fuck, my hands won’t stop shaking.
I don’t even know if she’s here. But I have a feeling about tonight. That this is going to change everything.
Please, let her be here.