Her card for her party planning business.
With a number.
But, more importantly, an address.
That was all I needed.
I pounded pavement back to my bike, peeled out of the parking lot, and made my way back across town.
I was going to get her safe.
She had to fucking be safe.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Gracie
“Promise me you won’t do anything too crazy,” I said on my phone as I went up the steps at the office so I didn’t lose the call in the elevator.
“I will make no such promises,” Layna said, as I knew she would.
“Fine. But don’t make anyone have to fly out there to bail you out.”
“I can probably manage that. And while I’m away, I need something from you.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. What is it?”
“I need you to go to the clubhouse—”
“Okay,” I prompted when she paused.
“Walk down the hallway… open the door… go in… lock it behind you… and ride Perish until you see through space and time.”
“What?” I sputtered. Actually sputtered. Coffee and everything. I should have known better than to drink something while talking to Layna.
“Oh, please.” I couldhearher eye roll.
“There’s nothing—”
“I know the walk of a man with blue balls, Gracie. And the look of a woman’s top when it’s been yanked down.”
“It’s not—”
Not what?
Not what she thought? It was.
Not going to happen again? That was probably true, as much as it pained me to admit.
“It is. I mean, that man was watching you dance like you were the most precious thing he’s ever seen.”
“Layna, please,” I said, closing my eyes tight as I leaned against the wall at the top of the stairwell. “Don’t make this worse.”
“Make what worse?”
“Look, whatever may or may not have happened,” I started, and reminded myself that it was more ‘may not have’ than it was ‘may have,’ “it’s over.”
“Why?”
