Page 73 of Royal Flush

How silly was that?

My legs ached as much as my heart, I finally returned to the tiny table I’d secured, holding my head in my hands. This entire situation was unfathomable. Shit. I had to go to the bathroom. The coffee was going right through me. I grabbed my purse and coffee, dumping the half full cup into the trashcan before heading to the tiny hallway located beside the counter.

The door was locked so I leaned against the wall, staring out the front window. Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Why? It was a normal day in Georgetown, the traffic heavy and the sidewalk filled with pedestrians. Yet, it felt as if I was being watched.

My stomach was still churning and I was almost hypnotized, time slowing all around me. It was just my nerves, but the fear seemed so real. Was that the same black SUV that had passed by the store only a couple of minutes before?

No, that was me just being paranoid. How many black SUVs were in a town like this? About a million. They were often used by dignitaries, a paid driver taking them everywhere. My father was no different. I’d seen one parked in the driveway just prior to me leaving the house the last time.

However, it was tough to get morbid thoughts from the center of my brain. There went another SUV, almost stopping just in front of the door. I couldn’t see inside of course given the glare.

Wait.

Were the windows blacked out?

I was close to hyperventilating.

You’ve seen that before too. Get a grip.

Breathe. I had to breathe and not make a fool out of myself.

I was jolted back to reality when a mom and her daughter left the bathroom, the little girl even bumping into me.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

The woman laughed, gripping her daughter’s shoulders. “Tell the nice lady you’re sorry, Emily.”

Was she studying me just a little too closely? Oh, shit. Now I was starting to lose my mind. Perfect.

“I’m sawry,” Emily said.

I even found it tough to respond. Finally, I kicked myself in the butt and smiled. “No problem.” I waited as they walked away, the little girl jabbering. I’d never been one to react this way to any difficult situation, but I slid my back against the wall to the bathroom door, fighting to open it given the awkward way I was standing.

Once inside, it was all I could do to flick the lock in place. What in God’s name was wrong with me? Even my pulse was racing. I stared at my reflection, trying to calm my nerves before moving to the toilet.

This was getting ridiculous. Maybe my psyche was telling me I’d made a stupid choice in leaving Braxton’s protection. By the time I washed my hands, even splashing water on my face, I was convinced I was right. I pulled out my phone, preparing to call him when I heard a slight commotion outside.

I’d call him from the hallway.

The two girls in the corridor were giggling like schoolgirls, shoving me aside as they discussed whatever boy was in question. I don’t think they cared it was a single room, going into together as if joined at the hip.

I was able to laugh, remembering my time with Ashton. I’d made the most out of college. That was certain. I was feeling somewhere better, still sliding my back against the wall. There was a much bigger crowd in the tiny dining room area, so I remained in the hall to call Braxton. I had no idea what I’d say to him other than apologizing.

And begging him to come get me.

Like some waif.

I had the phone in my hand, the phone number dialed when a set of goosebumps popped down both arms. It was another slow-motion moment, only this time as if I’d been driven in the middle of a thriller movie.

Or one involving kidnapping.

I’d made fun of the stupid victims in various movies, especially horror flicks because they stood like statues instead of running or screaming when faced with danger. But I found myself doing the same thing as the back emergency door was pulled open, two men coming inside.

I couldn’t scream.

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t run.

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