“You’re following me,” I explained. “You know where my parents live. This is too much. How am I supposed to cope when everything I say to you could end up with someone dead?”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

I knocked his hand away. “Who asked you to?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “This is never going to work. I have to get back to my job.”

Enzo grabbed my arm, yanking me back to him. “How many times do you think I’m going to let you run away?”

“Let me?” I asked, scoffing. “And I’m not running away. This is me being an adult and doing what needs to be done.”

“If you believe that, you’re naive,” he said evenly.

I pulled away from Enzo. “I have to go.”

“Fine.” I stopped and glanced back at him. Enzo stuck a cigarette between his lips. He lit up, smoke curling into the night sky. “Don’t let me see you again, Tex. I showed mercy this time. Next time? I’ll kill you.”

Fear trickled down my spine. I didn’t doubt him for a second. Rolling my shoulders back, I watched as he walked away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving me utterly and completely alone.

I opened my mouth to beg him to stay, to pretend everything was okay for a little while. But I’d stuck my own foot in my mouth. My heart shattered into a million fucking pieces as I continued to stare down the empty alley. I couldn’t see Enzo again.

Not without there being a bloodbath.

In my head was the last place I wanted to be. I replayed my recent interaction with Tex, picking it apart piece by piece. How he’d felt pressed against me, or the way his ass had sucked me in and clenched tightly, threatening to never let me go. However, that wasn’t the case. Tex ran, and I let him every single time.

I ground my teeth as my fingers curled around the knife in my hand. Muffled screams pulled me back to reality, and I blinked a few times as everything came into view. Gone were Tex’s blue eyes and warm touch.

A heavy sigh fell from between my lips as I took in former officer Aaron Chandler. Even while dissociating, I’d made sure to avoid any vital spots. His leg was a carved-up mess. If I squinted and tilted my head slightly to the right, I could make out Tex’s name.

I dragged the sharp blade over the torn flesh, and it split further. Blood ran down the sides and joined the growing puddle.

“We can do this all night,” I said.

He shook his head, the cloth in his mouth keeping him from talking. Reaching up, I removed the damp fabric.

“You… you haven’t asked me anything.”

I blinked. I’d been too deep in thought. Shrugging, I stood up taller and loomed over Chandler. “Why waste my breath? You know why I’m here.”