7 | The Surprise Raydene
Past ~ 1 month prior
“O ur next gig is in Detroit,” Dexter announces into the phone.
“Um, we don’t. I do. You’re not coming. I’ll do this gig myself. I don’t want anything to do with you,” I snap back into the phone.
I left Steve a message to call me and texted him a few times. Finally, he replied that he was out of the country and would contact me once he returned.
I’ve stayed away from Dexter since he smacked me around, giving me a black eye. I’m done. I don’t care anymore. I’m out. I just need to get all my ducks in a row before I can up and leave. I need to talk to Steve first and make sure it’s safe for me to go.
“Come on, RayRay. I love you. Why are you still acting like this? I said I was sorry for hitting you, but you’ve been pushing my buttons lately,” Dex purrs into the phone, thinking it will soften me up, but it does the opposite. It makes me want to hurt him.
“Fuck you,” I seethe.
“Be careful, baby. You can only push me so far before—”
I cut him off. “Before you hit me again? Are you trying to be tough and badass like the men you’re hanging out with now? We’re done, Dex.”
“We will never be done,” Dex says with a menacing voice, making my hair rise.
I make a mental note to have my locks changed when I get back. I need to start taking action to end this relationship. I’ve always been scared, but now I’m more scared of who he’s becoming. The people he’s running around with are the reason we’re in this situation.
I don’t want to go back to that or even be around it.
“Ray!” Dexter shouts into the phone, snapping me from my internal thoughts.
“What?” I scream back.
I’ve pissed him off now, and by the sound of his voice, I’ve pushed him too far. “Don’t make me regret keeping you around all these years. I could have just given you to them.” His voice filled with a sinister tone.
“Then let me go,” I reply softly. Hoping he’ll get the hint. I’m over him, this situation—all of it.
“I’m coming over,” he tells me before hanging up.
I look at the phone, see the call ended, and laugh. “Too bad I’m not home,” I say to the phone before slipping it into my leggings’ side pocket.
After he hit me and everything went down, I packed my stuff and took off. I’m in a hotel room in Detroit, where my next event is. I canceled the hotel we had and went to a completely different hotel and paid cash. I know how to stay hidden. Until I can talk to Steve, I’ll try to stay clear of him.
Heading across the street to pick up some dinner, I’m dressed in leggings and a sweatshirt. I pull the hood over my head, hoping no one will recognize me. The festival is in full swing, and I’d rather not run into a fan right now.
This festival is packed with tens of thousands of people. I need to talk to security and let them know it’s only me and no one else is allowed on stage. I can dodge him once I get off the stage. But my guess is he’s too busy with whatever he has going on. He hasn’t even wanted to stay with me, which is nice, but that also tells me he’s definitely up to something.
I pull my phone out as I walk across the street to the restaurant. I’ve ignored so many calls and text messages from Vi. All the girls, including Ruby, are worried about me. I’ve tried to ease their minds by answering as little as I can.
Not wanting any of them around to get hurt if this shit goes south, I’ve tried to evade all of their questions, but it’s getting hard.
I know Mac is looking for me, which is another reason I left town early. I can’t deal with anything right now besides getting my life together and away from Dexter.
If I saw Mac, I’d let him take me away, which would only lead to more problems.
Maybe Vi and I will move away together. She wants to leave Chicago.
I need to reply to Vi. She’s a stubborn ass who’ll threaten to come find me. I don’t want her to worry.
ME: Sorry, been dealin’ with shit. Headed out of town. Call when I can.
If I say I’m heading out of town, maybe she’ll let it go.
I see the dots at the bottom signaling she’s typing, but they stop. I laugh. She’s rethinking her words.
VI: You good? Dexter? Mac?
Of course, she wants to know about Mac.
ME: I’m ok. Not good with Dex.
“Ms. Walker,” the hostess greets me. I tilt up my head and smile, peering out from under my hoodie.
“Yes, I’m here for my pickup,” I say softly to the woman.
She smiles. “We’re sad you’re not dining in tonight,” she says, looking disappointed. I come here often, and they know me. They know I like my privacy.
“It’s just me tonight, so I’m headed back to bed,” I say with a smile.
She smiles back. “Of course. Give me a second.”
My phone chimes again.
VI: Talk to Mac? Where are you?
I see the lady walking back with my food, so I hurry and type.
ME: No. Getting on a plane. Text when I can.
There, that should hold everyone off for a while. When she fires back her response, I sigh in relief.
VI: Be Safe. *kiss emoji*
“Here you are, Ms. Walker,” the hostess says, handing me my bill and placing the food on the counter.
I power down my phone. That way, no one can get ahold of me or track my phone.
“Thank you,” I say, paying with cash.
Grabbing my food off the counter, I head back to the room. Concentrating on my dinner, I approach the hotel room, unlock it, and push open the door with my shoulder.
The big suite has a kitchen and dining area and is an attached room. I place the food on the counter and begin to unload it when the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I look up to find three very large men in my room.
I scream, dropping my plate of food onto the counter. My instinct is to run, but these men never are alone. I already know there’s a man at the door. Running only makes them more mad—or excited, depending on how sick the fucker is.
“What the fuck!” I say, clenching my jaw and the counter as I try to stay calm.
“Ms. Walker?” the man sitting down asks in a thick Russian accent.
I survey the room before answering. “Yes. And who might you be?”
The man smiles, but his smile doesn’t make me feel happy. Instead, it makes my heart speed up. He radiates everything bad and dangerous.
“I’m Mr. Peshkov,” he replies, but when I don’t react, he crosses his leg over his other like he’s getting more comfortable.
My heart is racing, and I try not to show fear.
I unclench the counter and cross my arms, asking calmly, “Mr. Peshkov, may I ask why you’re in my room?”
He tilts his head back slightly, chuckling. When I don’t join in, he waves his hand toward me. “Come sit with me, kyo?odē . I want to chat.”
What the fuck? Did he just call me cutie?
I hesitate but eventually do as he says and walk to the living area across from the kitchen. I eye the room and notice a man standing at the door. Four men, along with Mr. Peshkov, are around the room. I’m not getting out of here unless they want me to.
I sit across from him and try to get comfortable but fail horribly. He watches and studies me with a smirk on his face.
He leans forward when I don’t say anything, placing his forearms on the chair’s arms. “Do you know who I am?”
I raise an eyebrow. “You just told me you’re Mr. Peshkov.”
His lips pursed together, irritated. “Yes, but do you know who I am?”
I stay seated, not saying a word.
He smirks like the devil himself and continues, “I see. Now if you were Cindy, you know I don’t like a smart mouth.”
Oh my God. They know Cindy.
Pure fear washes over me, and I try to hide it when I reply, “Well, I’m not Cindy.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I know who you are, Raydene.”
Tears slip down my face. Fucking Dexter. This is all his fault. They found me. I’m going to die today.