Creaking sounds from outside the door, and I snap my head in its direction, frantically looking for a weapon to protect myself with, but there isn’t much in this room. In place of a nightstand is a small stool, and oh look, my small clutch rests on it. I snatch it at the speed of light while also being really quiet. My phone clatters to my blanket-clad lap. I’m quick to check if there’s battery left. Relief washes through me when the screen lights up and tells me the time. Just after five. I blink.
Five in the morning or five in the evening?
It’s still dark outside thanks to the only window in the room. I have no bearings on if it’s daytime or nighttime. Not only do I have no clue where I am, I also don’t know how long I’ve been here. Or where my sister is. I scrub my hands through my hair and forget about the hangover pains.
What the hell did we get ourselves into last night?
I take a deep breath and push away the tears that creep into the corners of my eyes. I have to be strong. I have to figure out where I am and save the meltdown for later. I have to?—
The noise out in the hallway sounds again. This time louder. Just like my heartbeat that thumps like a stampede of heavy-as-hell water buffalo in my chest. I grip my phone tighter. It’s the only object I have readily available to protect myself.
If I have to, I’ll peg it at the head of whoever enters.
I squeeze my eyes shut a couple of times and reopen them, trying to adjust and gain focus. If I have to chuck my phone, then I need to make sure my aim is on point, and I’m actually going to hit my target.
The doorknob twists at a snail’s pace. My eyes drop to it. I tighten my hold on my cell and rear my arm back. The hinges on the door groan in protest as the door pushes open. Just as I’m about to send my phone flying, a man in all black steps into the room.
The person closes the door, and I can’t help but stare.
“Finn?” Relief like I’ve never felt rains down on me, all the tiny raindrops acting as pricks of tingles over my body. I don’t understand. How is he here? Andwhereeven is here?I was at a strip club in Harrison Heights last night that Olive dragged me to.
My sister.
His dark eyes settle on the phone clutched in my hand. “You really think that'd protect you?”
I lower my arm. “I don't know where I am. I was?—”
“You’re safe,” is what he says, and it does feel like I am, knowing that he’s here. I don’t think Finn would hurt me or let someone else do so. No matter his history with Colson. In fact, I think it’s the very reason that hewouldn’tdo me harm.
“My sister. She was with me last night and now she’s not.”
He moves farther into the room and takes a seat in an old wooden chair that I didn’t notice before. “She’s fine.”
“Where is she?”
He tilts his head toward the door. “Sleeping in the next room over.”
My eyes slice to the opposite wall. She must’ve freaked out last night. She doesn’t know Finn, and as I try to place the events of what happened to get me here, my mind draws a blacked-out blank. Still, my one and only concern is her.
“Are you sure she’s okay? She doesn’t know who you are.”
“She’s been passed out for the last two hours but if you want me to take you to see her, I can. Warning you, though, she wasa bit…how do I put it?” He squints one of his eyes. “Untrusting and wild.”
Oh my God.
I glare at him. “Did you hurt her?”
He glares back. “Fuck no. I explained who I was. You referred to me by name last night when I brought you up here, so I think that helped calm her down, but she was still pretty fucking accusatory. One of my guys is watching her room. Making sure no one goes in.”
“So you’re holding her hostage?”
“No.” He gives me a look. “She can come out whenever she wants. She sat in here with you for a while until I convinced her she should sleep.”
I glance around the room again, at the darkness outside the curtainless window. “Where are we?”
“Same place you were last night. The Landing Strip.”
I scrunch my brows and look at him. He looks like he’s still dressed from the day before or maybe from today? “Wait. The time…is it morning or night?”
