What She Did by Veronica Larsen

Author:Veronica Larsen [Larsen, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Amelia

MY HANDS ARE STILL SHAKING when the cab pulls into the parking lot of Trident MMA Studio. The squeak of the windshield wipers swiping back and forth against the pouring rain is unnerving.

"We're here," the cab driver says, hesitant.

The building's lights are off and dread fills me for just an instant before I notice the lone car parked in the corner of the lot. Reed's car. It has to be. He said he'd be here. I pay the cab driver and spring out of the car. Rain pours down around me as I run to the entrance.

I bang on the front doors, but feel certain Reed hasn't arrived yet. I turn around to face the darkening parking lot and watch the cab drive away. Being here alone seems like a huge mistake. This building is largely cut off from the nearby shopping center, surrounded by trees on either side. The road in front is desolate, not a single car has passed since the cab drove off.

Rain taps an unsettling rhythm on the pavement.

My unsteady hands fish my phone out of my purse and dial Reed's number again. Pressing the phone to my ear, I wait for an answer, but each ring seems impossibly long.

Ring.

The rain falls harder and I worry the sound could mask someone's footsteps. It's getting impossible to make out my surroundings.

Ring.

Breathing heavily, I keep my back pressed to the gym's door, using the indentation as weak coverage from the rain. My eyes wide, I try to make out any movement in the parking lot.

Ring.

A low click and the lights of the studio cut on behind me, sending my heart shooting up into my throat. Reed appears at the door and I nearly collapse from relief.

"Jesus, Amelia. Get in here. Are you all right?"

I step inside, too relieved by his presence to answer his question. It's not until I take a few squishy steps forward that I realize I'm soaked in rainwater.

"You're shivering," he says, after wrapping a hand around mine to guide me inside.

I'm not wearing a jacket. Just a drenched blouse, clinging to my skin, dark-washed jeans stained darker from the rain.

Reed looks toward an open door at the other end of the gym and seems to weigh a silent decision.

"Come with me."

He heads in the direction of the door before I can ask him where he's taking me. The door leads to a stairwell. The stairwell leads to a landing. The landing leads to a short hall and another door.

Reed opens the door to reveal something unexpected. A living room. Dark wood floors, high ceilings, and a tan leather sectional curving around a large wooden coffee table. The sharp contrast between the sterile, emotionless gym, the industrial hall, and this cozy room is so staggering that I don't follow him inside.

"You live here?"

He's already halfway through the living room when he turns at my words and appears surprised I'm still standing at the doorway.

"I do."

Glancing back at the front door, I wonder why I don't feel apprehensive, standing in his entryway.

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