Page 65 of Savage Bosses

Retrieving my cell phone from my clutch, I googled the establishment, then called the number. I told the concierge where to find their club member and what happened without relaying anything that wasn’t pertinent— I didn’t trust my ex-boyfriend not to throw me under the bus if I involved him—before taking the same path Dax had.

I didn’t exit the building until I saw two men rush to the unconscious man’s side. Their panicked movements fed mine and I inched further toward the door with the red neon exit sign.

“Get the fucking doc, he’s blacking out!” One of the men yelled.

What had I done?

CHAPTER 6

Zoerina

T

he moon lit night swallowed me up. Each step took me further from the French Quarter. I didn’t know how far I'd walked but my feet were in agony when I finally hailed a cab and called my best friend, Sloane.

He was the one friend that didn’t budge during my relationship with Dax. He was also partly responsible for my move from Maryland to Louisiana. I had needed a fresh start and he’d convinced me that relocating didn’t mean abandoning my parents' memories.

“I hope you’re in mortal danger waking me up from my beauty sleep at —” He groaned. “—three in the morning.”

I sniffed. If I wasn’t already in mortal danger I was certainly on the precipice.

“Zoerina, what did that fucker do?” Sloane went from sleepy to alert.

I smiled. It didn’t matter why I was upset, Sloane was always convinced it stemmed from Dax…er that fucker—who he never referred to by name. This time I didn’t object. “It’s over.”

“Finally!”

I groaned.

“I’m not broken up, Sha. That news just chased the last of my sleep. I am fucking awake.” He sang that last part as if it was gospel.

“He won’t let me get my stuff,” I whispered. The reality of being homeless hit me hard and I squeezed my eyes tight. “Had the situation been reversed, I wouldn’t have kicked him out in the middle of the night.”

“Of course not, Sha, because you’re a decent human and that fucker doesn’t deserve you.”

Tears soaked my cheek and I wiped them away. Everything happens for a reason, I told myself, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Where y’at?”

I glanced out the window, realizing I hadn’t given the driver a destination. “Circling the convent.”

“You’re not that far. Come stay with me.”

“Thanks.” I could use a friend. “Only until I book a flight to Maryland.”

“You’re not returning to Maryland like a beaten dog. You’ll stay with me until we find you a place.”

I nodded. The ugly tears I’d held back burst free and I sobbed the entire way to Sloane’s little shotgun house. When he opened the door, I collapsed in his arms. I couldn't get the image of my lover’s unmoving body crumpled on the floor from my head. And I couldn’t blame Dax for my decision to leave a man I’d slept with unconscious. That was all me and the fear that drove me from the Den tonight. “I just left him there!”

“Who?” Sloane frowned. “You know I don’t care where you left that idiot.”

When I didn’t answer, Sloane sat me on the sofa. I was ashamed for being talked out of doing the right thing. But it was too late and no one would believe me now that I ran. I buried my face in my hands, not stopping the heart wrenching sobs.

“Fucks Zoerina, you’re scaring me.” He pulled me into his arms and I’m safe. Safer than I’ve been in a long time.

I told Slaone everything that happened at the Den and cried harder when he told me it would be okay. Reassured me that the Den took care of their members.

“Here.” He handed me a glass. “It will make you feel better.”

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