Page 49 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

“I’m finally going to be with my girl every day!” Noah cheers.

Everyone is shouting and fussing over the two lovebirds, while I feel myself sinking. There’s a bright light on all of them while I’m cast in the shadows, once again. I want to crawl back into my shell. I had felt so pretty and special mere minutes ago. It’s not that I want to constantly be the center of attention, but I’d like to have one selfish night. One. It gets tiring always being in my siblings’ shadows.

Tonight is my night. I’m determined to have a good time. I rush to the bathroom to vomit what Roland gave me, so I can take an upper. I insert two fingers in my mouth and reach toward the back of my throat. I hack into the toilet until I’m dry heaving. Then, I take out a little magical pill from the tiny bag I stashed in my bra, that will give me the energy boost I need. I do it for school and activities, why not for one night of fun?

I know it’s a bad idea, especially after already having drinks and taking that pill earlier.But for some reason, I can’t seem to stop myself.

When I exit the restroom and walk across the dance floor, I feel a hand circle mine. It’s Dan. “You’re not dancing with anyone now. Think I can steal you away?”

I allow him to lead me to the dance floor as I cast one last look over my shoulder to see if anyone will even notice me leaving. Why not dance some more? My head is beginning to feel heavy and I’m not sure if I can even lift my feet up to walk. Whatever. I really don’t care what I do at this point. I doubt anyone will even notice with all the hype over Noah and Alice. My arms feel heavy as I raise them above my head. Dan’s hands land on my hips, but then are gone. I look up and there’s Keaton. Dan turns around and frowns.

Keaton moves to block my view and tilts his head. “Ready to go?”

Leaving sounds like a wonderful idea. I nod and he leads me back to the group. He tells everyone that he’s giving me a ride home. I hug and thank everyone for the night out. We exit the bar and walk in a comfortable silence. I’m frustrated that my big night ended as Alice’s big night. Call me selfish, which I guess I am. I’m sulking and I don’t care. I just want to go home, and lay down. I just want to lay down more than anything. I stumble a little but quickly right myself. Maybe I’ll take a bubble bath. That’s probably not the best idea because I’m not sure I can hold myself up much longer. But the warm water and sweet scents sound heavenly. It’d probably be a while before anyone even found me in the bathtub. Gosh, what’s wrong with me? Here I go again down the dark path. Shouldn’t my upper be working? I’m not upping. I laugh at myself. Upping? I laugh.

“Just hold on a little longer,” Keaton grumbles.

We’re halfway to the parking lot when we hear shouting from behind us. I’m lost in my own self-pity, so it takes me a minute before I realize that the shouting is geared toward us. I pause and turn to Keaton, who keeps looking over his shoulder. I turn around to find Dan stalking toward us. I stop and frown, trying to figure out what’s happening.

Keaton puts his body in front of mine and spreads his arms. “What’s the problem, man?”

“You. She doesn’t want to leave with you.”

I step off to the side and try to convey my honesty with my eyes as I speak. “Yes, I do, Dan. I appreciate your concern, but really, I’m leaving of my own free will.”

“No, I don’t think so. We were about to dance again until this prick cut in. You came with those girls, so you’re just going to leave with him?”

Wow, really? What’s this guy’s problem? I can’t have one night of fun, I swear. I’m cursed. “Dan. Go back and have fun. Enjoy the rest of your night. You can even check with my friends; they know who I’m leaving with.”

“Why don’t you give me your number and let me know you’ve made it home safely.”

Keaton chuckles and shakes his head. “Dude, you can’t be serious. Is chasing girls down in the parking lot your typical method of getting their number?”

Before I can process what’s happening, Dan punches Keaton. It doesn’t take Keaton long to recover and quickly put Dan in a chokehold. “I’m going to ask you to calmly walk back and enjoy the rest of your night. Take a swing at me again and you’ll regret it.”

“I think you’re the one that’s going to regret this,” a voice from the alley says. I turn to see a tall figure approaching. When he steps into the light, my foggy mind takes a minute to process who I’m looking at. But as soon as it registers, I know we’re in trouble. Nine approaches Keaton, flanked by two other guys. He chuckles when he looks at Keaton still holding Dan. “Let him go.”

I pull out my cell and quickly call Trent. “I’m in trouble. Outside. Hurry.”

He releases him, and Dan walks backwards toward the guys. “Thanks. Where have you guys been?”

“We had a sale. I see you tried to mix work with pleasure. Seven isn’t going to be happy.”

Dan goes pale. “I swear I didn’t do anything.”

Nine turns his face toward me and licks his lips. “Hello Denise. Anything I can do for you?”

Keaton growls. “You know these punks?”

“Oh she knows us,” Nine practically coos. “We’d like to get to know her better.”

My brain is trying to keep up with everything that’s being said. “Dan? What are you—are you one of Seven’s?”

“Thirteen,” is the only answer Dan gives me. I’m guessing that’s his codename. Nobody knows the logic of the group. Some say there’s seven members and they all have odd number names. It’s not as simple as one, two, three. All I know is Seven is the leader and to become one of his or her sellers, another has to be demoted. But nobody has heard of anyone getting demoted—or getting hired. Nobody works the same town too long and nobody works a town where they know people. That way, nobody can ever get too close to anyone to learn anything.

“Hey!” Trent yells, as he runs toward us followed by Noah and Jeff. Nine gives me a knowing smile as he retreats back into the dark alley, followed by his minions. Maybe he is really Seven.

As we watch him go, Keaton idly rubs his temple. “See what happens when you dance with random guys? A creep stalked you out to the parking lot.”

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