I’d have some atoning of my own to do. After all, I was stealing Dex’s car and going on t
he run with a notorious criminal.
I grinned to myself. Maybe I was a bit of an anti-hero.
Cool.
“Sam, come back to the hospital. Please.”
“I can’t. Sorry, Dex.”
“Do you know what it did to me when you went missing? I can’t lose you again. Come back to me.”
I didn’t like the anguish in his voice. I didn’t want to hurt my best friend. I owed him an explanation.
“I’m going back to Andrés,” I told Dex. “I love him.”
“Andrés Moreno? No, you don’t. You’re confused.”
“I’m not confused,” I said calmly. “Not anymore. I used to think I was in love with you. Did you know that?”
“What?” His breathless tone let me know he’d had no idea.
“It’s okay. I’m supposed to be with Andrés. Just like you’re supposed to be with Chloe. If she were in danger, you’d do anything to save her, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, but—”
“That’s what I’m doing right now. I’m saving the man I love. I’ll send you all the dirt you’ll need to arrest Cristian in a few hours. Call Jason and tell him to start getting ready to move in on Cristian. I need you to find him fast, Dex. I’ll do what I can to drive him out into the open.”
“Don’t do this, Sam,” Dex pleaded. “Let me help you. I know I failed you, but let me help. I can’t make it right, but—”
“I made my own choices,” I said firmly. “And I’m making my own choices right now. You didn’t do anything wrong, Dex. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Well, I will be,” I amended.
I just had to go save my man.
“Don’t try to look for me,” I warned. “I’ll see you online, if you’re ever up for a game.”
“I’m going to find you, Sam,” he promised. “Whatever’s happened to you, I’m going to help you.”
“I don’t need your help. You need mine. I’m going to keep tracking Division 9-C for Jason. I’m going to make sure Natalie is safe for good. I’ll email him. But don’t bother trying to trace it, because you’ll just be wasting the tech analysists’ time. I mean, I know you’ll make them try, but don’t be too mean to them when they fail.”
I was in full-on hero mode, and it felt damn good. I was armed with a weapon and my wits, more powerful than I’d been in weeks. Possibly ever. Now, I just needed to get back to Andrés, log on to his laptop, and proceed to destroy his sadistic brother for good.
“Sam. Come back. Please.”
“I really do hope I’ll see you online,” I said, softening. “Don’t shut me out. You’re my best friend.”
“I’ll see you in person,” he said firmly.
“Webcams have been around for like, a quarter of a century, Dex. And I’m going to have a really great internet connection, so you’ll be able to see me crystal-clear. Tell Chloe she’d better take good care of you. I’ll be checking in.”
I ended the call and dumped the phone out the car window so Dex couldn’t use it to track me. I’d leave his car in the garage for Andrés’ building. By the time he traced it there on traffic cams, we’d be long gone.
It took me precisely twelve minutes to get to Andrés’ building. I relished knowing exactly how long it had taken me down to the minute. I really had missed everyday conveniences like digital clocks. Wherever Andrés and I ended up, we would have one in every room. I’d insist.
I diverted myself from my little fantasy of our home together and pulled into the garage. Well, I tried to pull in. The barrier didn’t open for me.
Fuck.