“What do you mean?” I find myself asking.
“One of your father’s buddies was out there, too.”
I straighten up.
“Where?”
“On my floor.”
“Who exactly?” I ask curiously.
“That guy, Sloane…”
I freeze.
“Just now?”
“Yes.”
“On your floor?”
“Francisco’s floor.”
Francisco’s floor is Raven’s floor. They all have rooms one floor down.
“I went there to check on Francisco, and turned around when he didn’t answer. The man was exiting the elevator. I couldn’t figure out whether he was coming down or going up. What floor is he on?”
“I have no idea,” I say, sunk in thought.
I feel like checking something. Anything. I walk to the nightstand and pick up my phone, itching to call Raven. It’s two in the morning. She’s either asleep or with Francisco. I don’t want to sound like a father.
I call Francisco.
He doesn’t answer.
“Is that him?” Alejandro asks when I bring my phone with me and put it on the coffee table.
“Yes.”
“Why’d you call him?”
“I want to make sure he’s with her.”
“Come again?”
He looks at me, tense.
”I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“Why wouldn’t she be okay?”
I say nothing.
“Kai?”
I raise my eyes to him.
“Why wouldn’t she be okay?” he asks in a strained voice.