29. Gabby

We’d had it. We’d had the proof I’m sure we needed to put Lana away. It was in our very grasp. And we’d lost it.

The blow hit Hayden the hardest.

He took me directly home after we left Lana’s apartment, and he didn’t say a word the entire way there. When he parked at the curb, he just stared ahead, out the windshield, and methodically tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his mind a million miles away.

“You want to come in?” I asked softly, thinking I sounded like a clingy, insecure girlfriend, but not even caring. I wanted to help him so bad; I just didn’t know how.

He glanced at me shortly. “No. Not today.”

“Hayden,” I started on a sigh. “Don’t let this get to you. It was just one little setback. We can—”

“I know.” He finally sent me the ghost of a smile, as if he was at least grateful for my attempt to cheer him up. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

But it wasn’t. Not to him. And I didn’t know what to say to make it better.

Seeing my concern, he tipped his head towards my b