Chapter 8
Skylar stuffed her phone into her pocket and headed toward the front door. Nothing in this cabin, including the new clothes piled onto the chair, truly belonged to her, and neither did Rafe. Time to go home.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Greyson shook his head. “You can’t leave.”
“I can and I am. This is over. What I just saw tonight…no. I can’t do it. And Rafe? He’s not who I thought he is.” Her lips trembled as she glanced down to her blood splattered boots.
Anything they’d ever shared was a lie. The memory of Rafe flashed in her mind.
His fangs. Vampire. She told herself it was for the best she’d found out the truth now.
A wolf, he’d never mate with her anyway.
He’d never be hers. Though the connection lingered in her heart, tempted her, seeing him as a vampire was the final hatchet to her fleeting romance.
“I know this is a lot to take in, but Rafe is the same. I’m not going to convince you to stay for him. As you are aware, he’s lupine. He is unable to form the necessary bond.”
“What are you even talking about? He’s a liar, is what he is.
” She glared at Greyson who appeared unfazed by what had happened in the blood bar.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go.
I’ll head back to my mom’s house. Maybe.
The only thing I know for sure is that I’d rather be anywhere but here. I’m getting out of Vegas. Right now.”
“I’ve got to get back to him,” Greyson told her. “Just stay until I get back. This place is secure. It’s warded.”
“I’m human. I don’t need wards or protection. I just need to leave. I’m not meant for this.” I can’t stay around Rafe. I can’t fall for a vampire. Or a wolf. “Rafe and me? We’re not meant to be either.”
“I’m afraid you’re not,” Greyson conceded. “But still. I just think you need to stick around.”
Threads of guilt wound around her heart, but she shook it off and logic ruled. She settled on lying to get rid of the vampire “I’m grateful to you both for saving me the other night. I’ll wait until he gets back, but then I’m gone.”
“I’ll be right back. Don’t leave.” Greyson shook his head and disappeared.
Relieved he’d left her alone, she continued toward the front door. As she passed a desk in the foyer, she considered leaving Rafe a note. She pulled open a drawer and reached for a pen and pad of paper.
Skylar attempted to restrain her emotions, tears welling in her eyes as she formulated her thoughts. What was there to say but goodbye? The truth hit her like a load of bricks. She’d started falling for a guy who’d lied by omission. She didn’t even know who he was.
Rafe, You seem to be good with secrets. I’ll keep yours. ~S
Whether it was true attraction or she’d simply been caught up in the moment, none of it mattered. At the end of the day, she was human. She’d made a mistake by getting involved with him. She tossed the pen onto the desk and took off out the door.
Skylar pulled her hood over her head as she headed into the night. She’d considered calling a car from the house but couldn’t risk being there when Rafe returned. She didn’t want to give him an opportunity to apologize or talk her into staying. It was over, and she wanted a clean break.
Grateful for the light of the moon, she hiked down the driveway onto the main road. With no cars in sight and no bars for cell service, she headed down the road using the screen shot from the GPS map she’d taken from inside the house.
Within three miles she reached a gas station, which apparently doubled for the local casino.
An older woman smoking a cigarette at the counter glanced at her as she shoved open the heavy glass door.
Skylar ducked inside and tapped at her phone, checked the time: four in the morning.
Connecting to the free Wi-Fi, she ordered her ride.
Determined to remain inconspicuous, Skylar kept her head down and headed to a wall of drinks toward the back of the store and grabbed a bottle of water. Bells rang as a man in the corner played a slot machine, coins dropping its well.
The stench of body odor filled her nostrils, and she coughed as a fresh cloud of cigarette smoke drifted her direction.
Out of the corner of her eye, a security guard glared at her.
She held up the bottle to assure him she was making a purchase and headed to the self-service counter.
Skylar slid her finger over her phone, scanned the bottle, paid for the item and looked for the exit. Deep breaths.
A rush of fresh air filled her lungs as she pushed through the glass doors.
As she waited for her ride, she considered the series of bad decisions that had led to this particular moment in her life.
Moving to L.A. Taking the acting job in Vegas.
Drugged and nearly murdered by vampires.
Rescued by a charismatic wolf and making the fatal flaw of falling for yet another emotionally unavailable guy.
Luck surely hadn’t been a lady. More like a psychopathic bitch on a murder rampage. Vegas was a bust.
Skylar shoved thoughts of Rafe from her mind as she tapped impatiently at her phone.
Arrived. As she lifted her gaze, she spotted the white Mercedes pulling into the lot.
She glanced to her app, double checking the license plate, the first three numbers matching.
Anxious to leave, she reached for the car door handle, opened it and slid onto the back seat.
She sighed, relieved, a sense of safety surrounding her as the car pulled away.
“Hello there,” a male voice said.
“Airport, please.” She ducked her head low, her eyes trained on her phone. Come on. Come on. Get going. “I’m in a hurry.”
“You’re in luck. I was on my way to the airport.”
Skylar’s heart pulsed as the car lunged forward, racing onto the highway. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. She leaned back into the crushed leather seats. Goodbye, Rafe.
“Did you get lucky?” he asked.
Skylar heard the male driver attempt to make conversation, noting his British accent. Though she wondered why he’d moved to Vegas, she kept her answer short.
“Not this time.” Lucky? Yeah, no. I met the love of my life. Rolled the dice. Crashed hard.
“Sometimes you’ve gotta take a chance.”
“I’m not much of a gambler. The house always wins.”
“Where’re you going?”
“Anywhere but here.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I just need to find a flight.” She tapped at her phone, opened a travel site and began scrolling through the airlines.
Skylar’s mind raced and she decided to call her parents to let them know she’d be arriving. She quickly switched to her phone app and scrolled to her favorite people. As her finger slid against the screen, her eyes widened as she caught sight of the name directly after her mom’s. Rafe.
“What the hell?” she mumbled under her breath. Shocked he’d enter his name into her favorites, her heart raced. A mix of warmth and regret swirled in her chest, but she refused to contact him ever again. As her finger made the final death swipe to block him, the phone rang. Mom.
“Skylar?” Her mom’s voice warmed her soul.
“Hey, mom! How’s it going?” Emotions rushed through Skylar, her voice cracking, unsuccessfully holding back her tears.
“You okay, honey? Did I wake you up? Sorry, I should’ve checked the time difference.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve got a surprise. I’m headed home for a bit.”
“Oh baby, we’re away right now. Do you remember the code?”
“Yeah, mom.” Skylar concealed her disappointment, but she considered that it might be best to hide out in solitude, at least until she was certain she’ hadn’t been followed. “No, no, it’s okay. I’ll fill you in when you get back. Where are you guys?”
“Croatia. We’re staying in Opatija. Remember I told you about Nanny, how she was born on Cres? It’s absolutely gorgeous. We’ve been here a few weeks now. The food is to die for.”
“Sounds amazing. Can’t wait to see your pictures.”
“If you need something to eat, check the freezer. I stocked up before I left.”
“Okay Mom. I don’t want to keep you so, you have fun.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, just headed to the airport now.” She glanced to the driver. “I love you. Tell Dad I send my love.”
“Love you too! I’ll send pics soon! Bye, honey. Hugs and kisses.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Skylar bit her lip and wiped a tear from her cheek. She’d just about kill for a hug from her mom, but she wasn’t a little kid anymore and she didn’t want her mom in danger.
Skylar returned to her flight search, finding several that would get her to Seattle. But as she went to make the purchase, her card was declined. “Mother fuck—” She glanced to the driver who appeared unnervingly silent.
Quickly she logged into her credit card account only to find it had been flagged as stolen. New cards had been issued to her home in New Orleans.
“It figures,” she muttered under her breath.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, yeah,” She blew out a frustrated breath. “It seems someone lifted my card.”
“Sorry to hear that. Where are you headed?” he asked.
“Seattle. Port Townsend.” Skylar’s stomach sank as she remembered she’d locked her new emergency credit card in her safe in her hotel room along with her passport and driver’s license.
Though she’d kept a picture of her license on her phone, she hadn’t yet entered her new card number into her digital wallet.
“Bad day?”
“You could say that. Today was a disaster. Not just today but this entire week. I’m just about done.” She shook her head in frustration.
“Well, consider yourself lucky. I just happen to be going to Seattle this morning as well. Early flight.”
“Wait.” Suspicious of the driver, panic wracked through her. “You’re my ride share, right?”
“Oh forgive me. I’m not your driver.”
“But no. I checked the license plate.” Skylar inwardly cringed. “Please tell me I didn’t get into a stranger’s car?”
“It’s no worry, I assure you,” he told her.