Silent Desires (Shattered Silence Duet Book 1)
Silent Desires: Chapter 50

There are so many moments when my worry for Mina feels like it’s squeezing the life out of my heart. Seeing her upset and broken is, unfortunately, frequent these days. But then there are these moments when it’s like I get to see the real Mina, like when she’s laughing in the car. It makes me wonder why she can’t talk.

At first, I assumed her vocal cords were damaged from her car accident, but I’ve done some research, and although that’s still possible, it doesn’t seem likely since we’ve heard her make a few noises recently.

I’d love her either way.

No, I can’t love her already, I barely know her. But my heart doesn’t seem to care about that fact. It just makes me want to scoop her up in my arms, protect her, and make her happy. I wish I could spend my day making her happy. As soon as we finish this case, we could all spend more time with her, getting to know her and figuring out what this is between us all.

My mind spins as I think about her arm. I can’t imagine what could have caused it. It looks so painful and I wonder how many times I’ve touched it. It clearly didn’t happen in the past few days. That thing has to be at least a week old. I hate that she doesn’t feel safe enough to have told us about it. Even now she obviously doesn’t trust us enough to tell us what caused it.

Who is hurting this sweet, beautiful girl? It has to be someone at her home, and I hate that we are letting her go back there. I’m not sure any of us can handle this much longer.

I zone back into class when I hear Mrs. Pinkins asking a question. Although I’ve already passed grade twelve chemistry, I have to at least play the part and pretend to pay attention. I glance at Mina as she reads today’s book and can’t stop myself from smiling. She’s so smart, she doesn’t need to be here either. She learned this material on her first day. Ben has mentioned emancipation as an option for her, and I really want us to figure out this murder case as fast as possible so we can make that happen.

I feel my phone buzz and discreetly check it.

Max: I got a lead. I need you in the guys’ locker room now. Watch Matt G. I’ll be watching Brian.

Me: I’m in class with Mina.

Max: Text G or T to bring her to the library. We can meet there after.

Me: Got it.

Me: Gideon, can you get Mina from chemistry when it’s over and take her to the library? We have a lead.

Gideon: On it.

I turn to Mina. “Hey, Angel?” She looks at me with those beautiful green eyes. “I have to go do something important. Gideon will meet you right outside this class and take you to the library, okay?”

She nods, and I grab my stuff and quickly leave the class. I hope this is finally a good lead that can actually give us some headway on the case. I’m tired of how slow the case is progressing and if we don’t act quickly, another body is going to pile up, and that will be on us.