Bab 82: IT CAN'T BE

Aurora was freaking out in the car. “What if something happened? It’s all my fault—I told him to go,” she said, her voice trembling. She let out a shaky breath and rubbed her face. “What if something happened to him?”

“Can you please shut up and let me think?” I snapped, immediately regretting it. “I’m sorry…” I mumbled, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Aurora didn’t respond right away. After a moment, her voice came back, weaker this time. “Brownsville has a history of crime... so…” Her words trailed off, her voice cracking.

Without taking my eyes off the road, I reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Ali is fine. I’m sure he’s fine, okay? Don’t worry.” My words sounded steadier than I felt, but I hoped they’d be enough to calm her—or at least mask my own worry.

She nodded faintly and kept giving me directions, guiding me through turns and streets. From Queens, it wasn’t far, and after about thirty minutes, we pulled up to Rashello.