car in reverse, pulling from my space. The moment I entered onto the busy street, I let the robotic voice filling the interior lead me toward Lydia’s home. It wasn’t far, but too far for me to walk. Before I could collect my thoughts, I was pulling in front of what looked to be a three story home. Even in the dark, I could tell it wasn’t in the best condition.
I glanced down at my suit and tried to ignore how my expensive sports car was going to appear sitting out front. The neighborhood wasn’t the best, either. I didn’t come to this side of the city often, but I knew it was headed in the direction of even worse conditions. Ones that were littered with drugs and lord knew what else.
Had Lydia slipped back into her old ways?
The possibility turned my blood cold. I knew her past. Knew she’d been into some hardcore stuff at one point. What kind or how much was a mystery. It was only from word of mouth, as was most of the information I’d collected about her. But she had admitted the fact to her therapist after her first suicide attempt, so there was truth to the story. She didn’t elaborate in her interview.
I got out of the car, locking it behind me as I headed for the door. The alarm combined with the loud thumping music coming directly from the house in front of me. I internally groaned, knocking on the thick wooden door. When no one answered, I knocked harder. The barrier swung open and a dark skinned female with long curly hair flashed me a smile before leaning on the edge of the frame proactively.
“And how may I help you ?”
The slur of her words didn’t escape my notice. I peered around her, catching sight of a crowd of people close to her age. Mid-to-early twenties, was my guess.
“I’m looking for,” I paused, remembering Sevastian’s words. “Paige. Is Paige here?”
“Paige?” The woman’s head reared back and she let out a loud laugh. “What are you doing looking for her? You some detective or something?”
I blinked passed the question. “No. Is she home?”
“She’s here, but you sure it’s her you want to see?”
The invitation had me taking an impatient breath. “Yes. May I?” I stepped closer to the door and she gestured for me to come in. The music got louder upon entering and skeptical glances were thrown my way.
“Stairs. Last door on the left.”
“Thank you.”
I turned, taking two steps at a time. When I reached the top, my pulse was exploding in my chest. The smell of cigarette smoke was thick to the point where it was almost impossible to breathe. I took short breaths as I passed a door labeled A. When I got to B, I didn’t hesitate to knock. Within seconds an all too familiar voice broke through. The emotions that flooded me upon hearing it shook me to the core.
“Who is it?”
“Delivery.”
“Delivery for what?”
Fuck . “Mail.”
“Kind of late for that. Slide it under the door.”
My head lowered while I cursed myself. I knocked again. “Ma’am, can you please open the door?”
“Go away, you’re drunk.”
“I assure you I am not. Please.”
Silence.
“Lydia, please.”
The door cracked open and I didn’t wait to barrel through the chain lock and push myself inside. Wide blue eyes stared at me in shock and she stumbled back, covering her chest, regardless that she was in a black sports bra and boy shorts.
My gaze dropped to her thighs and I couldn’t stop the loud growl that tore through me. From her knees to the edge of the shorts’ material was a mass of cuts. From their width, I knew it had to have been from a razor blade. Some were almost healed while one looked fresh.
“Is that how you’re coping?” I slammed the door shut, advancing and watching Lydia scramble back.
“Jaime. What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“Answer my question. Is that how you’re coping? Show me your arms”
She threw me a glare. “I don’t cut my arms, not that it’s any of your business if I did.”
“Any of my