Page 60 of Redeeming Rabbit

“Sir, I need you to leave before I call the police.”

Why wasn’t my name on their list? She wouldn’t have forgotten. Not Postal. She wouldn’t have forgotten me.

Did she do it on purpose?

The thought was a punch to my gut. “But she needs me.” I couldn’t let that entitled asshole get his hands on her. I had to get in there.

But there was a human wall in my way.

And I was no longer sure she wanted me there.

No. She wouldn’t do that.

Then why wasn’t my name on that goddamn list? The question played on an endless loop in my mind. And why were these rent-a-cops looking at me like I was shit they needed to scrape off their shoes? I didn’t know what to do. Did I try to race past them and chance them fucking tackling me? Did I scream her name? Both options would likely embarrass the hell out of her, land me in handcuffs, and end any shot I had with her.

But I couldn’t leave.

I could text her.

The realization pushed back the anxiety that kept rising in my chest. I mentally reinforced the dam containing it and pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. The fucker was dead.

The bees beneath my skin detonated, exploding the dam. Panic flooded my system, throwing me back in time.

“Run!” someone shouted at the same time I heard the gunfire.

We were under attack.

And I did what I always did.

I turned and ran.

21

Elenore

Rabbit wasn’t coming.

He was scheduled to arrive a half hour ago. But with less than five minutes until Lysha would call everyone to their seats, there was still no sign of Rabbit. I’d sent him a text fifteen minutes ago and received no response. Had his rideshare driver murdered him? I kept drifting toward the door as if being near the entrance would somehow summon him to my side. Worry for the biker churned in my gut. Rabbit understood how vital this dinner was to me and had insisted on being my date. He wouldn’t bail on me; I was sure of it. Something must have happened.

My brain conjured up a memory I’d long repressed.

An ominous knock on the door. Tina and I weren’t supposed to answer when Mom wasn’t home. She hadn’t returned from her date last night, but that was nothing new. The knock came again, and Tina peeked through the peephole and turned to face me, her eyes huge.

“It’s a cop,” she whispered.

The feeling of dread I’d been trying to ignore reeled me forward. I took my sister’s hand, and together, we opened the door.

“There’s been an accident….”

The past had gripped me so suddenly and profoundly that I didn’t notice Cameron’s looming presence until it was too late. He faced me, leering at the way my dress’s neckline plunged to show the slightest hint of cleavage. His attention made me want to cover myself. Had I seen him in time, I would have pretended I was on a critical mission, which was how I’d avoided him thus far tonight.

“Elenore.” His voice practically molested my name, sending a shudder of unease up my spine and kicking my fight-or-flight instincts into overdrive.

Careful to keep my expression professional, I returned his greeting. “Hello, Mr. Chamberlain.”

He frowned and scooted closer, his gaze dropping to my cleavage. “What do I have to do to get you to call me Cam?”

Fighting the urge to cover all my exposed flesh and backpedal, I stood my ground, refusing to be bullied and determined to steer the conversation in a safer direction. “Is there something I can help you with, sir?”

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