“Naya, go get her clothes and let’s get out of here.”

I hurried past them to the only bedroom in the apartment. The mattress on the floor didn’t have a sheet, and clothes were everywhere. I frantically grabbed whatever looked like Lola’s and stuffed it all in a paper sack I found on the floor. I also took the only toy I could find—a blue pony with a pink mane.

When I returned to the living room, Reno had Lola perched on his left arm. He glowered, keeping an eye on Jason, who was sitting in a chair by the television, his legs wide apart. Lola had put on Reno’s sunglasses and was resting her head on his shoulder while sucking her thumb.

“You can bet one thing,” Reno said. “Your babysitting days are over.”

I crossed in front of Jason’s chair and bent over. “Skye may dance for a living, but she has dignity. She’s a proud mother, and you’re nothing but a coward—afraid of being a man and taking care of your own. You’re not even worth the slap of my hand.”

I turned around, and you better believe I wanted to slap him. But if I started, I might never stop. What had Lola endured that would make her go willingly into the arms of a stranger and leave the only other person she knew as family?

We headed down to the car, and Reno helped her into the back.

“My name is Miss Naya, and I have someone who wants to keep you company.” I handed her the toy pony, and she hugged it against her chin.

“Bella!”

After stopping off for a slice of cheese pizza, Reno swung by my apartment. I searched everywhere outside the building for Misha, and my heart sank when I didn’t find her. The first thing I planned to do when I got to Austin’s was make a few phone calls to the shelters, just in case they’d picked her up. I went inside and packed a large bag, uncertain of how long I’d be staying with the Weston pack. Change was on the horizon. Usually life shifts in new directions with unfortunate events, more so than it does with positive ones.

When I reached my front door to leave, my blood ran cold.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, staring at the note pinned on the door.

Reno tapped on the horn outside. My trembling hand reached up and tugged the paper off the door.

Naya,

Now that I know who you are, it’s time that you know who I am.

Delgado

At the bottom was a phone number.

But above the letter, nailed to the door, was Misha’s pink collar.

Chapter 11

By the time we made it back to Austin’s house, everyone had returned from the movie. After Reno briefly explained Lola’s situation to the pack, Izzy scooped her up and ran her a bubble bath. Melody was excited to have a friend her age and pulled out all her clothes to find Lola something clean to wear. When I mentioned the living conditions of the apartment we’d found her in and how Jason had given her medicine to keep her sedated, Denver stormed out of the house. He slammed the front door so hard it put a crack in the frame.