Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“You’re making it sound like it was just some fling,” I growl. “But it was so much more than that. I can’t even fully explain what it was. It was…” Magic. “It meant a lot.” I sigh.
“I’d never tell you how to live your life.”
“But?”
“Who said there’s a bu—”
“Cut the crap, Victor.”
He shrugs. “But she works for TechGuard and she’s not responding to your calls or texts.”
When my phone vibrates, I quickly snatch it up. It’s a text from my assistant.
Andy: Cynthia has uploaded the interview already.
I click the link, then watch with my mouth hanging open. She’s edited out almost everything I said about the company, cutting it together to make it seem like we just flirted, and that’s it.
“She asked me what I want in a woman,” I growl, showing Victor the screen. I was thinking about Sera when I said, “I want somebody I truly connect with. Somebody I can imagine spending a life with. And yes, I’ve already met her.”
“Are you talking about me, per chance?” Cynthia asks.
“Maybe I am…”
I pause the video. “That part, when I said maybe I am, I wasn’t even answering that question. They’ve spliced it up to make it seem like we flirted more than we did. Those bastards.”
“Relax,” Victor says. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“No,” I snarl. “If Sera sees this… Don’t look at me like that, Victor. I get it. I’m a gullible asshole. I should know better. But what if she’s just having phone problems? That could be why she’s not responding. And she said herself that she rarely uses social media.”
“Lot of ifs in that scenario,” Victor murmurs. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I text her again, but again, I get the message undelivered notification. “This would only happen if she blocked my number or if my cell phone was off.”
Victor hands me his phone. “Try calling her from my cell.”
I take it, type her number in. This time, the phone rings… but she doesn’t answer.
Darkness grips me.
“She blocked my number.”
“I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “I need to talk with her. In person.”
“In person? When?”
“Now,” I snap.
I storm out of the gym before Victor can ask what I mean. Perhaps I’m being a fool. Maybe she’s secretly laughing at me behind my back. But I need to look her in the eye so she can tell me, to my face, that those life-changing days in Vegas meant nothing to her.
Chapter Nineteen
Sera
I sit outside a rundown bar. It looks abandoned. The sun has stained the exterior a blood-red color. Broken glass litters the surrounding street. The nearest building also looks abandoned as well. It’s like a little corner of the apocalypse.
Sera: Are you sure this is the place?
I text Luke, sending him a photo of the bar.
Sera: You said it was your ‘special little place’.
He replies right away.
Luke: Yes, that's it. I’m in here now.
I grind my teeth, thinking about the interview that was uploaded to Cynthia Linx’s online channel an hour ago.
Sera: Why did you say that stuff in the interview, and how did she upload it so fast?
Luke: We recorded it two days ago, sweet pea. I had to say what I had to say because it was what I had to say.
I read the text a few times, trying to make sense of it. It just doesn’t feel like Luke. It feels strange, even his wording sounds off. I try to call him, but he rejects it.
Luke: We’ll be talking in person any second now.
Sera: Why won’t you answer the phone? Are you mad I didn’t tell you the truth about TechGuard right away?
Luke: A little, but that’s not why I won’t answer. I want to talk with you in person.
Sera: Then come out here.
Luke: If you’re certain, that’s what you want.
I stare at the bar, keeping my engine running, ready to drive away at the first sign of trouble. This situation is giving me seriously bad vibes, and I’m not sure what’s happening. I grew up in a dangerous neighborhood, around desperate people, and there’s something about Luke’s messages that are giving me similar feelings.
As crazy as it seems, I’m thinking that somehow, somebody switched Luke’s number in my phone. This person doesn’t text like Luke—
I scream when my passenger-side window is smashed, turning away and covering my face. Before I can think about driving away, somebody has leaned into the shattered window and reached all the way across, poking something cold and metal against my head.
“Get out of the car. Slowly.”
“Please,” I whisper. “Damien?”
“You’re even cleverer than I thought. Come on now, sweet pea. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Trembling, I opened the car door and climbed out. I remember what Luke said about Damien being desperate and manic. I need to act fast in case he does something he might come to regret… but it’ll be too late for me.