Lea led Dylan and Jade up the stairs hastily and ushered them into her apartment. Once they were safe inside, she went over to the windows and drew the blinds, not willing to take any chances. Seconds later they all heard the sirens pass the building and fade out as they continued down the street and out of ear shot.
Only then did Jade let out the breath she'd been holding in. She flung herself into Dylan's arms and whispered, "That was terrifying..."
"I know J...But we're safe now," Dylan whispered back and then turned his attention to Lea. He nodded thankfully in her direction and she returned the gesture with a half smile.
"It all happened so fast," Jade continued quietly, turning toward Lea as well. "We were just sitting on the floor of the warehouse, discussing our plans for the day...and before we knew it we were running from two cop cars! I didn't think we would make it!"
"I'm glad you got away," Lea told them both.
"Only because of you," Jade reminded her.
"Don't tell me you're talking to yourself again!" Evelyn called out as she entered the kitchen from the living room. She caused all three of them to jump. Lea had forgotten her best friend was even over until the girl's voice ring through the apartment. Evelyn stopped short at the sight of Dylan and Jade, confusion clearly registering on her face. She slowly turned toward Lea, before cocking her head to one side. "Where the hell did these two come from?" she asked.
"Trust me, the less you know the better," Lea answered her.
"You can't just pull two complete strangers who look like they haven't showered in days out of your ass and not tell me where they came from!"
"Evie, you do not want to get involved," Lea repeated, her voice firm. She grabbed Evelyn's elbow and began pulling her toward the door. She pushed Evelyn through the opening. "I'll call you later, okay?" she told her.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "You never let me in on the fun stuff."
"You never saw these guys here." Lea closed the door in Evelyn's face and turned toward Dylan and Jade again.
"Can we trust...whoever that was?" Dylan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Evie's harmless. She won't tell a soul, you've nothing to worry about."
"What now?" Jade spoke up. She took a step away from her brother for the first time since they arrived and her eyes traveled around the kitchen in awe. 'When was the last time they'd seen the inside of a house?' Lea wondered.
"Now, we get out of this kind woman's hair," Dylan answered her, ushering his little sister toward the door. "Thank you for helping us out....I'm sorry, I never got your name."
"Lea," Lea responded through a tight throat.
"Well, it's lucky that we ran into you again." He nodded and put a hand on the doorknob, ready to leave.
"Wait, hold on," Lea protested quickly. The words spilt from her mouth before she had time to think about them. Dylan and Jade both turned to face her. Several seconds later she spoke up again. She wasn't sure why she said what she did next, but there was something drawing her toward the Hernandez siblings, and their story. Maybe it was the way Dylan's eyes bore into her soul when he spoke about Sofia. She felt his passion for the girl six feet under. She had been there. What she said next just felt right. "I want to help you."
"I'm sorry, you what?" Jade asked, incredulous.
"I want to help you find Sofia's killer. I want to help clear your name." It was crazy. It was completely insane that Lea would want to help the Hernandez siblings fun from the law. She was willing to put herself in danger for two people she hardly knew. The two people who had knocked her unconcious, kidnapped her and held her against her free will only one week ago. Why would she do anything for them!?
