Page 12 of Righteous Enforcer
"Never seen her." His voice quavers.
I lean closer, my shadow falling over him. "Look again."
"I swear, man. We get lots of women through here, but not her."
I slip one hundred across the counter.
His fingers twitch but don't move. "Even if I saw something, I wouldn't tell you. Lady looked scared enough."
My hand shoots out, gripping his collar. "So you have seen her."
His eyes widen. "I didn't say that?—"
I release him, dropping another five hundred on the counter. "Room number. Now."
“She’s not here anymore.” He holds his hands up like in a stick-up. “I swear. But I know where she sometimes went.”
Ten minutes later, I'm driving through the historic part of town and considering going back to kill that hotel clerk as he was certainly lying.
Just when I'm about to give up, movement catches my eye.
A figure emerges from across the street, stumbling slightly.
My breath catches.
Even in the dim light, I'd know that silhouette anywhere.
The way she moves, the curve of her neck, the slight tilt of her head as she scans her surroundings.
Eva.
She’s bruised and limping, but alive. Fucking alive after four years of my visiting an empty grave.
She's hobbling down the street, each step looking like agony.
Her hair's shorter, dyed blonde, but I'd recognize her anywhere.
I know the shape of her body.
The way she moves. I don’t just recognize her with my eyes.
My soul knows her.
My heart jackhammers in my chest like it's trying to run to her.
I grip the steering wheel tighter, forcing myself to stay put.
Someone did this to her.
Someone took her from me, made the world believe she was dead, kept her prisoner for four years.
It’s the only explanation.
I'll find them.
I'll make them beg for death long before I grant it.
She pauses, her head turning slightly as if sensing me watching.
