Page 30 of Priest

I run both hands through my hair.

Bella’s hurt and I’ve no fucking clue where she is. My mind races as I try to think.

I don’t even know which fucking way she went. I could call Rock or Jett to hack into the security system in the street, but I doubt Cash would be too happy with me wasting club time when I probably won't see much anyway.

“How badly hurt was she?”

“Just the cut above her eye and some swelling on one side. She was more shaken up, but she wouldn’t tell me what happened.”

“If she comes back, make sure I’m the first to know.” I point at her.

“I will. I really tried, but we can’t hold people here against their will, you know that.”

I try to not take my anger out on her. I take a deep breath to calm myself. She’s just doing her job. “I know, Linda. I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself for not bein’ a better friend.”

I should’ve secured something better for her. I have the money. Fuck, she could live on my couch for all I care. I need her to be safe.

“You did all you could.” She’s trying to make me feel better but it ain’t working.

“Did she say anythin’? Which way did she go?” I’m desperate.

“She went to the right and crossed the road. I can’t be sure but she could've been heading toward the bus station. She said something to me about that during the week.”

I’m such a fucking idiot. She did say about trying to get to Texas and the bus would be the cheapest route. I was going to find out more during her shift yesterday, but she never showed.

“I’ll try there first.”

“Good luck!” she calls after me.

I hop on my sled, fire her up and take off like a bat out of hell. I don’t know anything about goddamn bus timetables, but if I make it in time, she’d be lucky to get there before the bus takes off.

I weave through traffic with blatant disregard and every minute that passes feels like an eternity. It’s safe to say that I’ve taken protecting Bella to a whole new level, but she has nobody else to look out for her, and now she’s hurt and probably trying to get on a bus to another state. The adrenaline pushes me on, and when I get to the bus station, I park and run through the terminal, trying to find her. I don’t see her anywhere, just empty benches and a ticket booth.

Fuck!

I check the bus timetables and see the next bus for Texas is forty minutes from now. If she’s going to try and make this bus, then she’s going to be here soon. I start to pace, thinking of any other place she mentioned that she could be. When the time comes and goes, I get back on my bike and head to Dan’s parish. That’s the only other place she could be… and if I’m too late and she’s already skipped town, maybe on another bus to another place, then I make a vow that I’ll find her. I’ll find her and make sure she gets all the help she needs; it’s what she deserves after what she’s been through. Most of which I’m still oblivious to. There is no question in my mind that she’s spooked, and someone’s hurt her badly. Her confidence wasn’t the greatest to begin with, now she’s right back where she was. Or worse. Seeing her smiling and happy yesterday only reminds me of how far she’s come in a short space of time. And that’s what hurts the most.

7

ISABELLA

I crouch down and make myself as small as possible.

I’m used to hiding and blending into the crowd, but this is different. This is something much more terrifying. I made it to the bus station but the bus had already left for Texas and that is the only bus I’m interested in getting on. The next bus is tonight.

I can hold out for a few more hours and hope that Rueben isn’t following me. I’d left the shelter last night to head to the Soup Kitchen and he saw me crossing the road.

At first, I thought it was a coincidence, and we walked together for a while. But after a little bit, things felt off. I made it seem like I wasn’t going to the Soup Kitchen after all, and I had to meet a friend instead. I just wanted to get away from him and he seemed okay with it. I had this awful feeling I was being followed, but every time I turned around, I didn’t see him. I stayed in an all-night diner and bought coffee with the little money I had, just so I could hide out in one of the booths. But eventually I had to leave. I had to get back to the shelter and grab the rest of my things.

I hated being out at night in this city — it’s creepy, even when there are tons of people around. Admittedly, it wasn’t a good idea to cut through the park, but it was a short-cut and there were families there, people jogging, and it was well lit.

Or so I thought….

Out of nowhere, Rueben jogs up beside me. “Why did you lie to me?”

I blink. Where the hell did he come from? Knowing that he was probably watching me the whole time in the diner sends a shiver skittering over my skin.

“I didn’t…”

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