Rhea Thurman has always been goal-driven despite the tragedies of her past. Her obsession with criminal law leads her to the most prestigious internship in the city, working under up-and-coming lawyer, Davina Jenkins.
But Rhea never prepared to meet...
I jerk awake. It's the first night in a long time that I'm not woken by my own mind. Xavier squats beside me, shaking my shoulder. I peer up into his face, taking in the angular bones that match Brax's. His dark eyes almost glow in the dark hint of moonlight.
"Why?" I ask. My voice comes out scratchy and I clear my throat, leaning up on my elbows.
He grabs my wrist, his thumb hovering over my pulse as he smooths out my fingers, placing a set of keys in the palm of my hand. "It's time, detective."
I'm puzzled for a moment, sleep consuming my brain as I try to clear the fog. "Time..."
He taps my cheek twice. "You gotta wake up. Get dressed, getaway driver."
He stands, turning back to Sofía as she sleeps, before exiting the room. Silently, I pull on a pair of yoga pants and my oversized black hoodie. Blindingly, I search for a hair tie, only to remember one encompasses my wrist. I pull my hair up in a messy bun, before finding my sneakers. I grab for my phone, gripping the keys in my spare hand.
My heart races as I exit the room, met by the back of Braxton Patridge himself. As usual, his shoulders are tense as he turns to watch me exit Sof's room. "We've gotta go," he says, quietly.
I follow after him, wiping my dry, sleepy eyes. "Why this early?"
"Marco's been watching the house all night," he says, stepping out into the cold hair. "Everyone's left."
"Definitely everyone?" I ask, cautious.
"He cased the place. No one is home," he nods, turning away from me.
Xavier and Marco are standing by a black Nissan Titan. It's Marco's car, I remind myself. I've seen it parked in the driveway numerous times. My hands still shake, though.
Help me. Please.
It's Marco's truck. Just Marco's.
"Rhea?" Xavier calls.
I realise I've stopped in the middle of the driveway, the three Patridge brothers turning to watch me now. As usual, Brax looks the least concerned.
I clear my throat, twirling the keys around my finger as I walk towards the driver's side door. Brax opens the passenger side door, whilst Marco grabs for the back.
Xavier follows me around to the driver's side, grabbing my elbow to stop me. "Are you alright?" he asks.
I mask my surprise with sarcasm. "Totally. It's not like I'm about to become an accomplice in a crime, right?" I yank on the handle, staring at him as he steps back, grabbing the back door.
It takes me a few minutes to calm myself before the key finds the ignition in the dark.
"It gets easier," Brax says, watching the road ahead of us. "The more you do this."
He voice startles me. The usual void still there, but something darker still. Something that makes my heart ache. I watch him for a moment but he doesn't let me see anything more than the blank expression across his handsome features.
I look at him, shaking my head. "I hope I never learn to understand that," I whisper, truthfully.
The engine comes to life. I turn on the headlights, pulling away from the curb as I face the inevitable events of this early morning hour.
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