“Hey!” Byron hollers. “Where ya going?”
I reach the doors, and in a knee-jerk reaction, I look back, instantly regretting it when our eyes meet. Byron’s blue orbs stay affixed on me, and his mouth drops open.
Shit.
I pull open the doors and run across the club toward the exit. There are so many people shuffling in and out that I’m forced to push my way through the crowd, knocking down a petite, young woman who spews profanities at me while I keep moving.
There are more people in the hall, lined up and waiting to get in. I pay them no attention as I hustle to the elevator. There’s a line and it’s taking forever. My foot taps impatiently when I finally give up, knowing that Byron is likely on his way to find me.
I keep going down the hall to the door that has a sign above it that says ‘Stairs.’ I push it open and go up them as fast as I can, tripping over my own feet a few times. As I’m hurrying up, I tear the wig off my head and toss it behind me.
I’m out of breath and my anxiety is so high that I fear I’ll pass out and topple down the staircase along with the blonde wig.
When the sound of a door below me opens and closes, I stop momentarily and look down the winding staircase. As soon as I hear footsteps thudding up the stairs, I move faster.
He’s going to catch me. He’s going to grab me and take me away again. This time, he’ll make sure I’m not found. This time, he might even kill me.
“Bella,” Byron singsongs, sending shivers through my entire body.
There is no way I can keep going to the eighth floor. He’ll catch up before I make it and then he’ll know exactly what floor we’re staying on. Though, I’m sure he already does. He’s well aware of Cal’s private space at the hotels.
I reach another level and the door has the number five on it. Hoping like hell that it opens, I give the handle a turn and internally scream with excitement when it does.
As I run down the hall, I’m well aware that this feat is far from over.
I’m mid-panic, practically hyperventilating and ready to curl over and give up, as the elevator takes its precious time to come up.
It’s likely from the event downstairs. All the people going in and out are holding it up, and I’m expecting the doors to open to a full crowd.
I look over my shoulder as the bell dings and the doors slide open. Still no sign of him.
There are two people—a man and a woman—looking back at me, waiting for me to get on, and they have picked up on my unease.
“You okay, hun?” the lady asks, stepping aside and making room for me.
Just as I step on, the door to the staircase flies open, and Byron comes running down the hall.
“Yeah,” I tell her in a panic. “Just go. Make the elevator go. Eighth floor.” I’m almost crying at this point. On pins and needles, hoping the doors close in time.
“Hold the—” I hear Byron shout, just before the doors seal and his voice becomes a whisper that quickly fades.
I curl over, grabbing my stomach as I catch my breath.
I made it.
“Was someone chasing you?” the sweet lady asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “No, I’m fine.”
The truth is, I’m far from fine. I’m watching and hoping we’re not stopping at any other floors on my way up because there’s a good chance Byron will be waiting outside the door for me. He’s no idiot, and he knows this place like the back of his hand.
Dread washes over me when we stop on the seventh floor.
He’s going to be there. I know it. I can feel it.
The doors open, and I’m half tempted to grab the burly man and ask him to save me.
But, Byron isn’t there.
“Take care, hun,” the lady says with concern written all over her face.
I force a smile and thank her before she disappears, and I’m pounding on the button to close the doors.
One more level. I’m almost there.
Seconds later, I’m getting off on the eighth floor, and I still don’t see Byron. I run as fast as I can down the hall to the suite with my key card ready in my hand.
As soon as I swipe it and the door opens, I go inside, slam it shut, and slide down the door onto my ass.
“Cal,” I scream at the top of my lungs between breaths. “Cal!”
My head rests between my shaking knees. My entire body trembles and my lungs still fail to fully inflate.
Cal comes hurrying out of the bedroom, rubbing his eyes in a pair of black briefs. He drops down at my side. “Baby, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“Byron,” I choke out. “He’s here and he saw me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“What do you mean he saw you?” I’m half asleep, and I’ve got no idea what the fuck is going on. All I know is Bella is sobbing and shaking uncontrollably on the floor in front of me.
“He saw me,” she says again, her lip quivering and eyes pooling with tears.
“Saw you where?” I shout, not at her, but out of frustration. “Where the hell were you?”
She lifts her head slowly and looks at me. “I went back. I’m sorry, Cal. You said you trusted me, and I had to go see her. You shouldn’t have. You shouldn’t have trusted me because I screwed everything up.”
“You’re not making any sense, Bella. Went where? Seen who?”
“Cherry. A girl I met at The Grotto.”
My face drops into my hands, massaging my temples as she continues, “She works there and I wanted to make sure she was okay, after everything you told me about Byron and the way he treats the female employees. Byron was there. He didn’t see me at first—”
“Byron was at The Grotto?”
“Mhmm. He was being the total douchebag he was. Before he even saw my face, he pulled me on his lap and was—”
Rage builds inside me, unleashing in a shout, “He pulled you on his fucking lap?” She nods. “Aside from pulling you on his lap, did he touch you, Bella?” God, please tell me he didn’t touch her. I can already feel the heat rushing to my head, my fists clenching, veins bulging.
“He was very touchy-feely. Grabbed my ass, rubbed my thighs, and cupped my crotch. I tried to get up, but I was so scared he’d know who I was.” I feel gross just talking about it. Like tiny spiders are crawling all over my skin.
I don’t even hear anything except the sound of my knuckles crashing into the wall beside the door. I bust through the drywall. Blood streaming down my hand and dripping onto the hardwood floor.
“Cal! What the hell?” Bella grabs my hand, looking at the cuts.
I pull my hand away and get up, ready to run out that door, to find him and kill him. “Give me the key card.” I hold out my bloody hand, waiting for her to give it to me.
“Why? Where are you going?”
My fingers roll against my palm, hand still extended as I wait impatiently. “Give me the damn key card, Bella. He must’ve been out searching all the resorts, knowing we’re at one, and now, he’s found us.”
“Please don’t go out there. I’m scared, Cal. Don’t leave me. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Stupid?” I laugh. “There will be nothing stupid about me slitting that bastard’s throat.”