All Love Lost (ON HOLD)

Chapter 17

"Can we turn on the radio, please?" We'd been riding around for over two hours in complete silence.

Adrian continued driving, in deep thought, not paying any attention to what I was saying. His jaw continually tightened the further we ventured and stress was prominent on his face.

Not wanting to stress him out any further by turning on the radio, I reached over and grabbed his right hand that rested on the gear shift. Then, and only then, did he snap out of his trance and turned to look at me.

"Breathe. We're gonna find her." I tried assuring him as I gave his hand a light squeeze.

He shook his head. "You can't be so sure. Do you see where we are right now?"

He was right. I couldn't be sure, but I could be positive.

As we drove around, we quickly realized that there seemed to be something going on on every corner. Whether it was prostitution, drug deals, drug use, gambling, or whatever else, it was no place for a kid to be wandering — especially not at 4 o'clock in the morning.

"I do see where we are. But, thinking negatively isn't going to-" I was cut off by Adrian slamming on the breaks. If I didn't have my seat belt on, I'd for sure have hit my head on the dash board. "What the hell Adrian?!"

I wasn't even sure he heard me before he was out of the car and sprinting across the street. He crouched down beside a body that was laying on the filthy side walk and looked to be trying to inspect them. Moments later he'd scooped them up and was making his way back to the car.

Assuming it was Kiara, I hopped out and opened the back door as he approached. He quickly and carefully placed the young girl inside before closing the door. We both got back inside and he wasted no time in speeding off.

Glancing back at the girl, I couldn't see anything physically wrong with her, but I didn't know exactly what she'd been through in the past 24 hours. What I did know was that she was worn out and her light snores were an indication of that.

At this point I didn't know what to say, so I chose to say nothing the entire ride.

Eventually, we pulled to a stop in front of a massive brick house. The only light on was that of the front porch. I was so busy gazing at the home in front of me that I didn't even realize Adrian was already out of the car and trying to get Kiara out without waking her.

"Come on." Was all he said before closing the back door and walking up to the entrance of the mini mansion.

I pulled my seatbelt off and got out, trailing him up the paved walkway to the front door. As he fished around for the correct key, the door swung open and an elderly lady appeared. She was clad in a long purple robe, worn house shoes, and an oversized bonnet to protect the hundreds of rollers underneath, making her look like everyone's grandmother.

She opened the door wider and motioned for us to come inside. The interior of the home was decorated simply, yet nicely. It looked like a normal family home, just on a humongous scale.

Adrian and the woman took Kiara to where I assumed her room was as I continued looking around the spacious area. It was definitely not what I pictured Adrian's home to look like. I saw him as more of a bachelor pad type of person.

As I admired the various kid drawings pinned to a massive cork board, I almost jumped out of my skin when Adrian grabbed my hand and led the way to a small room off to the side. Inside was a modern office with a small seating area off to the side.

I took a seat in one of the plush lounge chairs on the side as Adrian got onto the Apple desktop computer and began typing away.

"Is she okay?" I asked once the silence became too much.