“Let’s go, Krissy, we need to get you home.” His voice was firm, but there was no mistaking the affection there.

Kris blinked a few times before finally focusing her sleepy eyes on her brother. “But it’s not morning yet. I’m not leaving my bed, Vlady.”

I tried my best to suppress my laughter at hearing the childish nickname.

Vlad managed to convince Kris that the seat she was in was, in fact, not her bed, and I helped her walk out of the bar and into the fresh night air while Vlad helped Domenico. The Ambrosias’ driver was waiting outside. Vlad and I secured the couple in their seat belts in the back seat, and then he talked to the driver and gave him clear instructions to get both of them home safely. Their driver had been with the family for years, and we both knew Kris would be safe.

“Do you want shotgun?” Vlad asked.

I looked hesitantly at the car. Carlo’s accident was still too raw for me to even think about getting into one. “Thanks, no, I’d rather walk. I could use the fresh air, and it’s not far.”

He seemed to understand my hesitation without me having to say anything. “I’ll walk with you then.”

He closed the car door and the driver waved as he went on his way.

Before we started walking back to the Hyped, I took one final look around behind me to see if I could spot Adrian. Maybe he had gone out for another cigarette. With no luck, I turned back to Vlad. “Shall we?”

He nodded.

Adrian had been missing for a few hours now, and I could only imagine where he had disappeared to—and with whom.

Chapter Fourteen

Vlad insisted on walking me to my door at the Hyped. My parents weren’t there, but the note pinned to the fridge informed me that they were at Tiana’s birthday party and would be back later. Wow, it was already past two o’clock in the morning. How much later did they mean? Seeing the note, Vlad offered to stay on the couch so I wouldn’t be alone.

“You don’t have to worry. They’ll be back soon. Go home. Get some rest. I’m fine.”

“Avy.” His voice left no space for argument. I knew that I wanted him to stay. But I wasn’t about to let him know that.

“Whatever you want.” I shrugged. “But you’re taking the couch.”

With that decided, I went to grab a blanket and one of the pillows from my bedroom, then headed back. As I stepped into the living room, Vlad was taking his shirt off.