Page 56 of Bolted

“Riley? What the hell?” she asks, looking equally terrified and annoyed. “I just ordered lunch! I thought Sasha was having a nervous breakdown then she just up and disappeared. I was about to give her a piece of my mind...”

We’re a block from the cafe now, out of sight of those big windows. What’s the fastest way to get away quickly? I wonder before reaching my arm up to and hailing a cab. This whole time I’ve been towing Kaz, who’s still chattering behind me. As the cab pulls up, I reach into my pocket to grab my phone and call Sebastian, and realize it’s gone. I must have dropped it in the bathroom. I climb into the cab then, and look at my friend.

“Kaz.” I say to quiet her. “Nate was in the bathroom. He’s after me. We need to call Sebastian.”

She’s staring at me wide-eyed, then it’s like it registers for her all at once. “Oh my god Riley! Are you okay?? Did he touch you?”

“I’m okay. But I don't have my phone. Can you call him for me?”

The cab driver glances in the rearview mirror at me. He doesn’t seem phased by my panic. Only in the city are people so accustomed to crime.

“I’m ok Sebastian, thanks for asking,” Kaz says next to me. “Here’s Riley.” She hands the phone over to me.

“Little mouse,” he says, as I put the phone to my ear. “Why the fuck aren’t you answering your phone?”

“Sebastian, I’m sorry” I start, but then I feel myself starting to get choked up.

“Are you ok little mouse? Did he hurt you? I’ll fucking murder that asshole when I get my hands on him.”

I tell him about what happened in the bathroom. Kaz has her hand on my arm, giving me a slight squeeze. I look over at her. Thank god she’s here. I’m not sure if it’s her or the cab driver keeping me from losing my shit all together.

“Riley,” Sebastian says calmly. “Head straight to the apartment, no pit stops. I’ll meet you guys there.”

Chapter 67

Nate

Fuck my dick hurts. I pull myself up from the bathroom floor and check down the front of my joggers. It looks intact but from the way Riley kicked me, I'm sure I’ll be pissing blood for a week.

Stupid little bitch. She should be thanking me. I practically fucking saved her. She has no idea the hold Lockhart has. If it weren't for my family, she probably would have met him a hell of a lot sooner. She should be worshiping the ground I walk on. I gave up my freedom for her.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Speak of the devil. I ignore Lockhart’s call and pocket my phone again, rushing out of the bathroom. I see Riley and her meddling friend run past the windows outside and I head towards the entrance. I can’t let them see me but I'll follow them and hope I can get Riley alone again. My phone buzzes again so I answer and slow my pace a bit while still keeping an eye on Riley running ahead.

“Nate,” comes Lockhart's voice through the phone.

I grunt in response.

“You know the deal Nate.”

“She is supposed to be mine,” I seethe into the phone.

“I am owed a debt Nate, you were just a placeholder. Didn't daddy dearest explain it to you? I'm quite sure he warned you not to get too attached to your toys,” Lockhart responds.

My mind races back to high school.

It's my junior year and I've just gotten back from my football game. We won 21-7 and I couldn't wait to tell my dad. He couldn't make it as usual due to business. I race through the door towards his office and am about to barge through when I hear another voice.

“He owes me now Daniel.”

“Fuck, I told him not to get involved in this. Why didn't he listen to me? She’s too young Ethan. You can't take her yet. People will ask questions.” My dad responds.

My eyes narrow as I listen through the door. I know that name. I don't like him. He gives me the creeps. He's always staring at me whenever I'm at any of my dads business functions.

“Don't forget, you owe me too, Daniel. Would you prefer I take the same payment from you?” Lockhart asks.

“I'll take care of it Ethan” my dad says.

I hear the scraping of a chair and start to turn around but I lose my balance and fall against the wall. The office door swings open and Lockhart's eyes connect with mine.

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