Scarlett.
Curious to know where she was going, he ducked down into his seat to avoid being noticed. Olly kept his focus locked on her as she made her way across the lot to a silver compact sedan. Rays from the lot’s security light poles shone down just enough to give him a clear view of her movements.
Scarlett got into her car and buckled her seatbelt. Seconds later, taillights shone brightly as she reversed the vehicle out ofits spot. Twin beams of white started turning his way, sending Olly even further down in his seat to remain hidden.
The sound of tires rolling over asphalt reached his ears as Scarlett’s car passed by. He waited a few beats before starting his own, keeping a safe distance behind her as he followed.
At first, he assumed she was out in search of food. But after driving straight past every fast-food joint and grocery store in the area, Olly figured it was safe to say a late dinner wasn’t the intriguing woman’s goal.
Where are you going, Red?
He asked the silent question again as they reached the edge of the city. Buildings grew sparse, with stretches of empty lots creating ominous chasms between them in the dark of night.
Scarlett turned on her right blinker, both brake lights illuminating as her car began to lose speed. His stomach grew tight as she turned into the lot, her headlights bringing into view a recently abandoned brick building he recognized instantly.
La Cocina.
The restaurant from which Rose had vanished months before. Authorities had immediately shut the place down after its owner, Dante Valdez, was killed seconds before the bastard could slice Izzy’s throat.
Don’t think about that night or how close you came to losing your sister. Rose is the one who needs your help. She’s the one who’s?—
Scarlett pulled her rental car around to the backside of the building. Olly frowned, knowing the only thing back there was a forgotten stretch of employee parking. Shadows offering the perfect cover for someone wanting to become lost to the rest of the world.
The homeless. Drug dealers. Prostitutes. Nothing good ever happened in a place like that. And Scarlett was back there right now, in those same shadows. Alone.
Can’t have her go missing, too.
Olly turned his car into the abandoned restaurant’s lot. Not wanting to spook her—or anyone else who might be lurking around—he turned off his lights and slowly made his way across the weed-riddled asphalt.
Following her like this made him feel like a damn creeper. Especially since—thanks to Jax and Ivan’s quick work—his concerns regarding the woman’s motive in seeking him out had been put to rest. But knowing she wasn’t trying to fuck him over didn’t automatically equate to trusting her.
He stopped his car just shy of breaking past the building’s north corner. Putting it in park, he cut the engine, pulled the keys from the ignition, and climbed out of the vehicle. Rather than slamming the door shut, Olly was almost silent as he carefully pushed it closed.
The low rumble of Scarlett’s car filled the otherwise quiet night air. He peeked around the corner, noticing she’d stopped right in the middle of the small, paved lot.
His gaze slid side-to-side as he quickly assessed the situation. From what he could see, they were the only two there. No addicts looking to catch a quick fix. No hookers hoping to make some quick cash.
Just her.
And him.
A low, swirling wave of white smoke billowed from the vehicle’s humming exhaust. Scarlett’s door opened, and she stepped out of the car. Not bothering to shut her door, she began taking slow, almost hesitant steps toward the building’s back door.
Covered by a long, thick piece of plywood, the former entrance no longer offered a way in. Regardless, Scarlett continued moving in that direction.
What the hell are you doing?
Even as the question rolled through his mind, Olly understood exactly why the intriguing woman was there. Scarlett wanted answers, same as him. And now that he knew she’d been telling him the truth about who she was…
I’m going to find those answers for you, sweetheart. I’ll find them for us both. Even if it was the last fucking thing I ever do.
Scarlett stopped a few feet from the boarded-up door. Wrapping her arms around her center, she appeared to almost be hugging herself. Comforting herself when no one else was there to do it for her.
I’m here. I could?—
Olly stepped out from behind the building, refusing to finish the ridiculous thought. The shoulder of his jacket brushed against the rough brick wall as he cleared the corner, but he paid it no mind. He was too busy fixing his gaze on the woman standing several feet away.
The soft glow of her car’s low beams allowed him to easily make out the curves of her tempting silhouette. He walked toward her, keeping his footfalls soft as he approached.