Page 171 of Fly's Path

“Women too?”

I don’t think mentioning the fact that they were children would help. “It’s not like that. You know this is just me playing a part to get in with the dealer.”

“Taking drugs isn’t a game, Van. You could get addicted.”

Like I don’t know that. I’ve seen firsthand what drugs can do to a body. “I’m not actually taking them. It’s just pretend. I learned how to palm pills and pretend to take them. It’s good. I’m not going to become an addict.”

“And the women? Are you going to have to make out with them or even have sex with them to keep your cover?” Lola crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me. “Because we’re not making out after you’ve been making out with one of them.”

She’s already thinking of making out with me!

Focus before she slaps you and walks out for things that aren’t going to happen. “I’m not going to make out with them, Lola. I’ll figure something out like I did last time.”

“Wait? You didn’t make out with them?”

“No, all we did was dance.” And dance. And dance some more. “I can promise you whatever happens, I will not make out with those women…ever.”

“How exactly are you going to do that?”

I shrug.

“That’s not exactly a plan. You need to have an idea ready to prevent the required make-out session. Because if their lips touch yours, mine won’t.”

“Plans rarely go the way you want them to.” How many times did Fly pound that into my brain? Always have a backup for your backup and a way out if you need it.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t make them and just hope things go the way you want them to. I have an idea. Why don’t you bring me as your new girlfriend? That way I can act all territorial and jealous.”

“Because the whole idea was for me to sample the merchandise.”

Her mouth drops open. “You’re not talking about drugs.”

“No.”

“Um…yeah.” She stands up and starts walking away, turns back, opens her mouth, and then spins around and dashes off.

This is definitely not the way I thought this evening would go. “Lola.” I chase after her, finally catching her in the corner of the reference section.

“Prostitutes. You’re going to be making out with prostitutes.”

“I’m not making out with anyone. And they aren’t prostitutes. They’re kids being trafficked. They don’t get a choice.”

She starts shaking her head. “This isn’t okay. It’s not okay.”

It isn’t, but neither is her response…Fly said I’d need to get her story. She comes from Willow Street. My body goes tight.

What happened to Lola? She acts so strong. So sure of herself.

I want to demand answers. To insist on knowing the names of whoever it was that hurt her, so that I can ensure that they never take another easy breath before they leave this world.

But I can’t just demand that she tell me. I need to give her the space to trust me. “You’re right. It’s not okay. That’s why I’m doing this. That’s why I have to do everything in my power to stop them.”

Lola blinks a few times, clearing her eyes, and meets my gaze. “You have to save them.”

“We will.” Or I’ll die trying. But talking about this isn’t healthy for you right now. I need to change the conversation back to something light and easy. “You know what? I don’t think we got a picture in the reference section.”

Lola brushes a tear away. “No, we didn’t.”

“We wouldn’t want to waste this opportunity, now would we?” I take out my phone and plaster a cheesy grin on my face.