Page 54 of Bolted

“Yes,” she squeals. “I need a drink after the morning I’ve had.”

“Kaz it’s barely 9 o'clock,” I say. “What the hell have you been doing?”

“It’s a long story,” she says, “but I want to hear all about the tea you have!” We settle on a time and I go about getting ready for the day.

I’m sitting at the cafe a few hours later, sipping a latte and waiting for Kaz. Maybe I should have gone with champagne. Being here makes me think of the first day of work, how intimidated I was by Sebastian. And now, how different he is. How different we are. I feel my cheeks flush as I recall Sebastian’s fingers in me last night on the couch. It felt so good to let myself be cherished by him, to let him in a little more. But fuck, it also now has me wanting him in fully, emotionally and physically.

I’m staring off into space when I catch a glimpse of bleach blonde hair out of the corner of my eye, someone walking past the large window I’m seated next to in the bodega. If I didn’t know any better I would think that blonde hair belonged to one particular bimbo I hadn’t thought of in awhile.

Sasha.

She’s barely in the door before I’m up and out of my chair, practically barreling over her.

“Sasha,” I say, not a question but a statement. This bitch, afterall, was up to something with my husband, and though Nate’s a fucking psycho, it still pisses me off that she had the audacity to do anything with him. And aside from that, I can guarantee that there had to have been some sexual favors taking place behind Sebastian’s closed office door back when I started.

She looks confused, then scared. “Riley?” She looks around then, her eyes darting to the tables around us. “Are you here alone?” she asks.

“I’m meeting Kaz,” I say. “What’s going on with you? Why are you here?” Come to think of it, we haven’t talked about Sasha at all since before the cabin. I’d forgotten about her. But now I’m supremely curious. “Or maybe I should ask… have you seen Nate?”

She looks terrified at the mention of him. Her eyes go wide, and she backs up. “Riley, I had no idea Nate was going to do that to you.”

“What do you know, Sasha? And what the fuck is your uncle involved in?” Now I’m angry. The fear and shame of the last few weeks has shifted and all I feel is hate. “I know Nate was working for your uncle. Whatever Lockhart has been doing, you’re all going to go down for it.”

“That’s just it,” she says, once again shifting her eyes around. “I’ve been trying to get away from him. I can explain Riley.”

Kaz has walked in at this point and is ushering both of us over to a table. I can tell I’m making a scene but I don’t care.

“Sasha,” Kaz says. “So lovely to see you again. I have been trying to track you down…”

“Listen,” Sasha starts, “I can’t help you guys with my uncle. I can’t tell you anything. It’s dangerous just talking to you. About Nate…he’d made it seem like you guys were splitting up Riley. And I just thought it would be fun.”

I glare at her. “Fun? Fucking someone’s husband?”

“I made a mistake. But listen,” her voice lowers and she continues “I’m scared.”

Kaz laughs out loud at this. “You’re scared?! Riley was fucking kidnapped and raped. By Nate!”

I sink into the chair at the table, ashamed once again. “Sasha,” I say, “is Nate hurting you?”

“You need to leave Riley. You need to leave the city.” She says looking around like she’s afraid we are being watched.

I practically jump out of my chair. “Fuck this,” I say and storm to the restroom. I need a second to gather myself.

I walk into the single bathroom near the back of the building and lock the door. My phone’s in my jeans pocket so I pull it out and text the first person I can think of.

‘Nate’s hurting Sasha’ I send the text to Sebastian. I think we need to help her.

I see the three bubbles, Sebastian’s already typing back. Then suddenly there’s a pounding at the bathroom door.

“Someone’s in here!” I shout. Jesus. The door is practically rattling, whoever is pounding on it is getting more and more angry.

I swing it open and I’m about to say “what is the fucking problem?” when Nate’s shoving me back into the bathroom.

“Riley,” he growls. “I’ve missed you.”

My phone is ringing now, the buzzing in my pocket is the only thing telling me that this is in fact reality and not a nightmare.

“Nate. You don’t have to do this,” I say. “Just let me out.”

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