Page 81 of Dark Bonds

“Let me explain,” Jason begged.

Raven looked at me and I simply shook my head. She looked at Jason helplessly but put the car into gear and pulled into traffic. Horns blared behind us and when I looked in the side view mirror, Jason was standing in the middle of the lane, blocking traffic. His arms hung down by his sides and his shoulders were slumped. He looked utterly defeated. I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“Leah, what the fuck just happened?!”

“He was there with Cindi,” I said, dejected.

“I’ll fucking kill her. I guarantee she was just waiting for any sign of trouble.”

“How the fuck would she even have known? He must have told her.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Leah. There has to be something else going on here. Let’s go back. I’ll deal with that little bitch and you talk to Jason.”

“No. I don’t even care. I’m fucking done. Please just take me home.”

“I don’t think…”

“Raven, please, I’m begging you. Please just take me home.”

She nodded her assent and twenty minutes later, she was pulling into my driveway.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“No, thanks, though. I really just need to be alone right now. I’ll be okay.”

“Fine, but I’m calling later to check on you, so make sure you answer your damn phone.”

“Yes, Mom.”

I tried to smile, but it most likely came across as a grimace. I got out and let myself into my house. I headed directly to my room, grabbed a bag out of the closet, and started throwing clothes in, followed by toiletries. I threw my laptop and any work-related things I needed into my laptop bag and walked back to the front door.

Once I confirmed that no one was out there waiting for me, I hopped in the car and booked a motel room for the night. I might even stay a few days. I knew damn well Jason was far too stubborn to just leave me alone. He was probably already headed to my place. I dropped my bags inside the room, stripped off my clothes, and climbed into bed. For the first time in a very long time, I cried myself to sleep.

JASON

? ?? I’m a work ya ‘til your totally blown… ???

I was going out of my fucking mind. It had been two days since any of us had heard from Leah. We didn’t know where she was or even if she was okay. The worst part was, the fault laid squarely on my shoulders. Sure, Cindi was stirring up shit showing up at Seduction, but had I just spoken honestly with Leah, she wouldn’t have been upset to begin with.

I should have fucking listened to Sasha months ago.

Chase, Seb, Sasha, Raven and I were sitting in my living room drinking. The time for brainstorming had passed about half a bottle of Jameson ago.

“I should have put a fucking tracker on her phone,” I grumbled. “I know it would have been a total breach of trust, but at least we could have found her.”

“Oh my God!” Raven exclaimed, smacking her forehead. “Chase, grab my phone out of my purse, please. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this two days ago. For fuck’s sakes. She and I have our locations shared.”

Chase passed her the phone and she quickly brought up Leah’s info.

“She’s at a motel by JFK.”

“Great, I’ll head there now. Has anyone seen my…”

“Jason,” Seb cut in, “you can’t go get her now.”

“Why the hell not?” I asked angrily.

“Because you were three sheets to the wind about six sheets ago. If you show up at her door like that, she won’t let you get a word in. Sober up and then go talk to her.”

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