12
Stars can’t shine without darkness.
Mark
Walking back to Roland’s, my jaw is tight. Tension is in my arms, but Lara is practically floating at my side. She keeps holding out her hand, tilting it side to side.
“I’m still getting you a diamond.”
“You’re a snob, Mark Fitzhugh.”
I’m about to defend myself when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
“You deserve a diamond.” Reading the face, I see Terrence has texted me.
Eddie is nervous. Come now if you can.
We’re only a block north of Terrence’s house on Bourbon, and I stop walking. “I need to go back. Terrence said Eddie will talk.”
Her hand tightens on my arm. “I’m coming with you.”
Acid burns in my chest. “I don’t want you there. I don’t like you around these guys.”
Again, blue eyes flash. “You’re meeting with these men, searching for evidence because of me. I have a right to know what they know… what they say.”
“Lara…”
“Mark, all of this is about me and what happened to me and Molly.”
“Not all of it. Some of it has to do with the things I did when I was working for Gavin, and trust me, they were not good things.”
Her brows clutch together. “You think I’ll think less of you?”
“I think these guys know leverage when they see it.” I put my hands on the tops of her shoulders and look deeply into her eyes. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
She puts her hands on my forearms. “I need to come with you. Please don’t keep me out. I know Eddie. I know Terrence. They’re not going to hurt me.”
We stand a few moments facing off, but I ultimately give in. Without a word, I take her hand and lead her up the walk towards the old house where I lived those few months, long ago.
Terrence meets me at the door, and when he sees Lara, his eyebrows shoot up. “It’s been a long time. You’ve only gotten more beautiful.”
Lara smiles and shoves a piece of dark hair behind her ear. I step in front of her, eager to get this over with. “Where is he?”
My former landlord takes the stairs to the loft room. “I really like what you did up here. Bea and I’ve been living here. Not sure why I didn’t think of it before.”
“Bea?” Lara scans the large, empty space.
“Oh, she’s not here. She doesn’t know about this.”
We follow him through the open loft to the area laid out as a living room. The asshat I recognize from those days working backstage is waiting. His eyes land on Lara, and he leers at her body. He’s just as slimy as he ever was, and my fists tighten. If he says a word to her… I’m one smart remark away from punching him in the face.
“You two are finally together.” He digs out a cigarette and lights it with dirty fingers. His brown hair is greasy and shoved behind his ears.
“Terrence said you know where I can find Landry?”
“No.” He flicks the lighter, and my eyes go from him to my friend as I wait for him to finish.
Terrence jumps in. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to mislead you. He has information.”