Page 71 of All My Broken Pieces

I needed that.

Peeking my head inside, I make sure there’s no one around before darting toward the bathroom. A quick shower and clothing change later, I waltz toward Billie’s office. Finding her there, working on something behind her desk, I knock on the open door.

“Hey, Billie.” I smile at her when she glances up at me. “Can I make a call?”

Sighing, Billie inclines her head. “Yeah, but make it quick.” She waves toward the house phone hanging on the wall.

“Of course.” My grin widens as I grab the cordless phone and dial Andrew’s number.

The line rings twice before he answers, “Hello?”

“Drewbie!” I cry, startling Billie. I shoot her an apologetic look and gesture toward the hall. She nods her head, giving me the permission I was angling for to have a more private conversation.

“Arriana?” Andrew asks, his voice both confused and worried. “What’s wrong?”

Ouch.

Sure, I haven’t called him much since getting here, but to just assume something’s wrong, even if he’s right…

“Who says something has to be wrong for me to want to call you?” I retort, hunting for a private space for this conversation.

“Ree…”

“Okay, fine. I might have…” Glancing around, I make sure no one is in earshot before whispering, “Look, I need to get out of here. Now.”

“Arriana, what did you do?” Andrew groans.

I smirk, my eyes moving toward the backyard. “Took care of a problem.” I hum. “Now, you gonna come to my rescue?”

There’s a moment of silence before Andrew chuckles, “And you say you’re not a damsel in distress anymore. On my way, princess.” Before I can reply to his offensive remark, his tone becomes serious. “You’re going to have to tell me what happened.”

“I will.” I promise. “Just get me out of here first.”

Taking a deep breath, I slowly release it. “I need to come home.”

It’s been hours since our phone call and still no word. I’m starting to get agitated and restless, the need to get back to Fallon and away from this place nearly suffocating me.

I’m lucky no one has discovered Zandra’s body.

I return to Billie’s office, hanging the phone back up. “Thanks.” I mutter, turning on my heel to gather up what little things I brought with me.

“Arriana.” Billie calls, stopping me in my tracks.

“Yes?” I reply without turning around.

“If you see Zandra, can you send her my way? I need to talk to her.” Gulping, I nod. “Great, thank you, dear.”

Without another word, I slip out of her office and up the stairs, careful to avoid anyone else on my way.

“Where are you, Andrew?” I mutter, picking up a small handful of rocks and chucking them across the street from my perch on the sidewalk. I didn’t tell Zandra to go meet Billie, not that it would have done any good to tell her corpse.

I chuckle at the thought, letting out a pained groan. My muscles ache from my months of malnutrition and sleeping on a hard bed. I find my desire for a decent meal and a good night’s sleep almost rival my need forher. Almost.

The sound of a car coming to a stop pulls me from my thoughts. Whipping my head in the direction of the approaching vehicle, my eyes narrow as I recognize the car, but it’s not the one I was expecting. Hopping to my feet, I groan loudly as I stretch out my tired muscles.

Killian climbs out of his car and looks around, lifting the sunglasses covering his eyes to squint in my direction. “You coming or what?” He calls, obviously irritated for having to be my ride.

I can’t help the smirk that covers my face. Sashaying over, I blow him a kiss. “My very own knight in shining armor coming to rescue me.” My laughter grows as he scowls at me in response.

---