Time passes. Exhaustion settles over me, but I can't stop thinking about what I've done. I find myself playing every possible scenario over and over in my mind. I think about Judge's reaction once he realizes I'm gone. Will he be hurt? Or more likely, will he be relieved that I did the thing he couldn't?

I don't know which possibility is more agonizing, but I know one thing. If he does find me, he will be angry as hell. Santiago too. I will have embarrassed them by running away like a coward. A De La Rosa doesn't run from their problems. They face them head-on. Only, this time I can't. Because what I'm facing feels like a firing squad, and I'm backed against a wall.

I appreciate Georgie and Solana helping me this way, but I know I can't stay here long. Not really. I don't have any cash now, and that's a problem, but I'll have to leave regardless. Maybe I can hitch a ride to another city and stay in a shelter until I can figure something else out.

As I consider it, I cringe at the insanity of that plan. I wouldn't be safe in a shelter. I won't be safe anywhere. Not once the full power of IVI is on my trail.

I draw in a shuddering breath, pull the blanket up over my head, and sink deeper into the couch. I'm too numb to cry anymore. I'm too tired to do anything. So I close my eyes, and despite all odds, I fall asleep.

3

Mercedes

Something jolts me from my sleep, and my heart ices over in terror as I drag the blanket from my face.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The knocking on the front door comes again, and my phone buzzes on the coffee table beside me. When I glance at the screen, I see that I've missed a few calls from Solana. But it's the time on the display that reminds me I was supposed to be up and ready for my appointment.

"Shit." I drag myself upright and stagger toward the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

There's a wicked kink in my neck from sleeping on the couch, and my entire body feels achy and stiff. I can already tell this isn't going to be a good day, and the nausea swirling in my stomach really doesn't help either.

With the morning light comes the clarity that I didn't imagine the events that transpired yesterday. I'm not dreaming but instead trapped in a nightmare I can't seem to escape. I have no money. Very few resources. A man who undoubtedly wants to strangle me for leaving, not to mention one who really does want me dead. And then there is the matter of The Tribunal and the consequences awaiting me should I be recaptured.