Chapter 27
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By the time the case had been settled, evening was drawing in. Zina drew her flimsy coat tighter against the chill, then glanced at Luis who went out of his way to see her off.
“Sorry today dragged on so long.” Luis flushed, rubbing the back of his neck as he held out a business card. “Here’s my phone number. Call if you ever need anything. It’ll skip the red tape.”
Luis kept his eyes glued to his shoes, never daring to look Zina in the face.
Zina took the card, her eyes taking in his flustered expression. ‘He’s actually kind of cute, she thought.
Thanks.” Zina turned to leave, but after a few steps, Luis called out again with a more serious tone.
“They’re locked up on trafficking charges and won’t see daylight anytime soon. You’re safe now.” he added, “Maybe you could reach out for help to get your residency transferred.”
Suddenly realizing how much he’d said, Luis paused and scratched his head.
Zina turned back to thank him again, a sudden smile lighting up her face.
That sunlit expression burned itself into Luis’s mind. Long after Zina had gone, Luis remained frozen mid–wave, still staring blankly at the empty street.
Other officers passing by paused at the sight of Luis who rooted like a stone statue.
“What’s up with Mr. Bennett today?” one whispered, “Never seen him like this.”
“Spring’s got to him.” another snickered.
“Huh?”
Their voices faded into the crowd, but Luis stayed planted at the station door, as if he meant to stand guard there forever.
Around the corner, a car had sat idle for ages. Inside, Kellan’s stony face gave nothing away, yet a deep chill seemed to ooze
from him.
Streetlights blinked awake, their light spilling through the car window to brush Kellan’s profile. He flexed his wrists absently, a soft murmur in the quiet, “The little girl I once knew… How sharp she has become.”
Kellan took one last look at the police station, then drove off. Nothing was left to show a car had been there and lingered but a puff of exhaust and the dust kicked up.
Zina didn’t make it back to the Lambert mansion until close to nine. The moment she stepped through the door, Lydia’s overly sweet voice chimed in.
“Oh, Zina, you’re finally back? We were starting to get worried.?
Inside, Lydia was practically simmering with resentment, but with both Yvonne and Adrian present, she had to bite her tongue and keep up the sweet act.
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Chapter 27
Zina hadn’t expected to find them gathered in the living room waiting for her. For a moment, she froze in momentary surprise.
Before Zina could fully process the scene, Yvonne had already walked over and was standing right in front of her.
“Zina, honey.” Yvonne began, her voice soft but laced with worry, “Someone called this afternoon. They mentioned you were at the police station. What happened? You know you can tell me anything. We’re here for you, whatever it is.”
Her concern was overflowing, pure and without a trace of doubt as she searched Zina’s face.
Instinctively. Zina’s gaze flickered toward Adrian. To her surprise, he didn’t jump in with his usual sarcastic jab, Instead, he shifted awkwardly and turned his face away.
Adrian cleared his throat. “Well… back in one piece, right? Must not be a big deal. Like I said before, she’s a grown woman. What could possibly happen?”
“Adrian. Yvonne chided, her tone laced with disapproval as she shook her head in resignation.
Then, lifting her gaze to meet Zina’s, Yvonne’s expression shified. A thousand questions seemed to burn on her tongue, yet she held them back, her lips parting slightly only to press together again, silent and uncertain.
Sensing that something was off with Yvonne, Zina frowned slightly and closed the small distance between them.
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