Page 75 of Totally Off Limits

As she made her way toward the revolving door, she felt her cheeks flare, wondering what the desk clerk thought. How many women left this hotel in the middle of the night wearing the same thing they’d had on earlier…but looking slightly more disheveled?

Not many, she imagined.

At least the air outdoors smelled cool and fresh. Sierra began walking down the sidewalk, feeling okay because at least the street was well-lit. An occasional vehicle passed by, but nothing like during the day.

Everyone respectable was indoors till morning.

Thatwas Rebecca Hayden talking.

Get out of my head, mom.

After making it down the first block, she tried to calculate in her head just how far she’d have to go to get to Bad Boys. Picking up the pace, she made it another half a block when the strap on one of her summer shoes snapped, making it impossible to wear.

Fuck.

This was like the universe’s way of telling her she’d been messing around too long. This was the punishment her mother had always promised would rain down if she chose to go the wrong way.

Taking a deep breath through her nose, she tried to decide what to do. Sure, she could take the other shoe off and go barefoot, but there were tiny pebbles all over the sidewalk and possibly glass and goathead thorns that would make her regret it.

She still had her phone.

Turning its face toward her, she tried to figure out who to call. None of her close friends lived in Winchester anymore. Austin was out of town, but she’d have to be a special kind of ballsy to call him anyway after sleeping with another guy. Of course, she couldn’t call her parents. She’d never hear the end of it.

There was one person. But she’d almost rather walk on goatheads and glass.

Holding her broken shoe in one hand, she shook her head and started walking down the sidewalk, determined to get back to her car no matter what. But then she stubbed her toe on a section of uneven sidewalk and tried not to yell. Even though there were only businesses in this part of town, she didn’t want to attract attention.

Dammit.

And, as if that hadn’t been enough, it began sprinkling.

Sucking down another deep breath, she opened up her phone contacts again. There was one person she could ask—but she’d try texting first.

Layne, are you there?

It wasn’t until she leaned against the wall of a brick building, staring at her phone, that she realized she was crying. What the hell?

Hardly any businesses were even open at this time of night—a couple convenience stores and there was a restaurant or two, a couple of bars, maybe Walmart at the other end of town.

Nowhere she’dwantto be.

Her phone flashed with a message, and she felt sick to her stomach, wondering if Mickey already realized she was gone.

But it was Layne.I’m up. Are you okay?

What? Her brother seeming halfway compassionate? Asking a caring question?

And it wasn’t even snide or sarcastic.

It made her feel almost glad she’d reached out.I’m not. I really need a ride. Can you pick me up?

Yeah. Where are you?

She wanted to ask,Who are you and what have you done with my brother?

Instead, she told him where she was.

Are you safe?

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