Chapter 5
In our hotel suite, I stand at the bank of windows that overlook downtown Los Angeles. Streets and alleyways crisscross, busy with pedestrians and vehicles. I imagine joining the throng, disappearing, never to be found.
Behind me, Grayson sits sipping coffee and reviewing his notes on the speech he’s due to give later today.
I catch my reflection, perfect from head to toe with neither a flyaway hair nor a wrinkle in my knee-length, white pressed dress.
With a soft sigh, I refocus on the busy energy of the streets below.
A woman with a girl about my age, twelve or so, giggle as they run to catch a cab.
Their happiness makes a soft smile tug at my lips.
What are they doing today? Shopping? Whatever it is, I wish I was doing it with them.
I wish I could jump into that cab and fall off the earth.
“There’s nowhere you can run that I won’t find you.”
The tiny smile that had drifted into my lips flickers away as I refocus on Grayson, still sitting behind me but now staring right at me.
“Always remember that, Laura.” He goes back to looking at his notes. “Now go fix yourself. Your hair is ratty. And put a slip on. I can see straight through your dress. You look like a slut.”
The email notification from Brynn’s fake account continues to glare at me. A lump forms in my gut. It transitions into something bigger, thicker, and I’m sick as I touch my finger to the screen.
I don’t know how, but they figured out that you took a bus. That’s all I know for now. I hope you’re safe. I love you. ~B
Grayson’s team knows I took a bus.
Okay, think Eve, think.
There were a lot of buses leaving all throughout the late night and early morning. His people would’ve shown my picture around, but I don’t look anything like my old self.
But let’s say they figured out what bus I took. I changed lines several times to cover my tracks. I was so careful. There’s no way they know I’m here. Plus tomorrow we’ll be in a whole new city.
There’s nowhere you can run that I won’t find you.
Grayson’s voice sneaks in, and I mentally shove him right back out.
I walk from the VIP room. Across the now-empty amphitheater, I catch sight of Ford down by the soundboard and hurry toward him.
He’s so concentrated on whatever he’s listening to through his headset, he doesn’t hear me at first. I quietly observe as he slides a few bars and turns some knobs. I bet mixing a live show is incredible.
Ford looks up then, startling us both. “What are you still doing here?”
“I need a ride back to the hotel. I was cleaning the VIP room, and everyone left.”
“Give me a sec, and I’ll take you over.”
With a nod, I back off a few yards and watch as he continues making adjustments to the board.
He finally powers down and grabs his stuff, and I follow him out to an SUV. Neither one of us talks as he drives me the few miles down the road to the hotel.
When I walk into the room I share with Anne, I hear her in the shower.
I dig the duct tape from my duffel and press a piece over the peephole. The one in my bedroom wasn’t covered, and for now, I need to do this to feel safe.
Grabbing the guitar Brynn gave me, I stretch out on my bed and strum a few chords trying to calm my jittery body and rattled mind.
I whisper a desperate, intense declaration, “I’m free, and I will stay that way.”