Page 167 of Ruthless Legacy

He grabs my hand. “I do know that. I just wish this one time you’d listen, because I know how dangerous this is.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“The Lorazepam is so youwon’tbe fine. Your reaction time will be slower, your coordination non existent.”

“And I’ll be okay with that, too. I can make it to retrieve my item and to the finish line, way before the meds fully kick in.”

He sits back in his seat. He knows there’s no changing my mind. Despite what I’ve said, a part of me is nervous about this challenge. I’m grateful that he waits with me until it’s time to take the pill. I wash it down with a full glass of water.

He walks me to the door, drags me into a hug, and says, “Keep your guard up.”

I squeeze him back, promising, “I’ll see you soon.”

My eyes feel heavy, and my body’s calm, as I make my way towards my destination. When they said hide my challenge items somewhere safe, this was the first place that came to mind. It’s out of the way, and not exactly frequented by members of the upper social crust.

There are no cameras back here and the employees who come out here to smoke tend to mind their own business. It’s the only way to survive in Skullz territory.

I walk down the middle of the alley, past the back door of the laundromat, and crouch down between the dumpster and discarded stack of pallets.

Figuring out the location of The Inferno Skullz stash drops isn’t complicated. They’re usually in an alley, on a dead-end street, or behind a warehouse. The key is locating the correct dumpster. The hiding spot is the third brick from the bottom, fourth from the left of the one with a skull on it. I walked around their territory all day until I found one that wasn’t in use. It turns out it’s two blocks over from the night club LJ and I were dragged to the night of her vow ceremony.

The Lorazepam in my system has me working slower than usual to get the brick out. When it finally comes free, I remove the challenge piece I need, then slide the brick back into place, and push the dumpster over again to hide it.

When I return to the street, a car drives by, taking the corner too fast. I’ve got one more block to go, then it’ll be safe to call a ride. I push my body to move faster, but it feels like I’m wading through a fog. My senses are definitely dulled. I should have a greater sense of urgency to get out of Skullz territory, right now.

The same car has returned, slowly following me down the street. A second car heads towards me, slamming on its brakes at the corner, to stop me from crossing the street. The passenger climbs out. Slim stares at me, a less than friendly smile on his face.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.”

Another car door opens and closes behind me. Over my shoulder, I see five guys walking up behind me. “I told you it was her man.” Slim says as one of the guys comes to stand next to him.

“That you did, Slim. That you did.”

A third car pulls up. This one is fancier than the first two, and I watch as the world’s biggest douche unfolds from his car.

“Thee-on-aa…”Michael drags the syllables out. The sound of his voice grates on my nerves.

“Mikey. What are you doing around here? Don’t tell me. Let me guess. You’re out here following me like Mary’s little lamb, because you’re still obsessed with me.”

“It’s not obsession, you stupid bitch. It’s payback. I lost challenge points because of you and I told you, I intend to get them back.”

“This makes us even, man.” Slim says, as he approaches.

“Even? Not even close. I paid you a lot of money, then had to spend even more to clean up your mess when you didn’t finish the job.”

Slim glances over at him. “We did what we agreed to do. The rest of what happened is all you.”

Michael shakes his head. “No. You said you’d take care of her, and she’s still walking around just as bitchy as before.”

As they’re arguing back and forth, something clicks into place. A memory of that night. It’s already foggy, but even more so with the depressant flowing through my veins. But I remember bits of a muffled conversation and… Slim’s face.

Slim’s lips curl into a sneer. “What are you smiling at?”

Am. I smiling? To Michael, I say, “Whatever you have planned, you better make sure I don’teverget back up.” I turn to Slim, next, “But you, Slim. You better run. Far from here. Because you don’t have anything to barter for your life with.”

Someone behind me asks, “What’s she talking about, Slim?”

“Nothing.”

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