Page 82 of Chasing Sarah

Well, fuck them.

I didn’t need them anyway.

Angry tears pool, blurring my vision. Why do those I seem to care for end up leaving?

My brothers left me.

I’m losing Paige to Declan.

And now the people in this bar are gone.

You still have Rhys.

I scoff at the thought. He’ll tire of me soon enough and I’ll once again be alone.

“Whatever,” I mutter angrily. Pivoting, I head down the sidewalk, no specific destination in mind. I just need to get the fuck away from here.

* * *

Hours pass but I’m still submersed in negative emotions. The sky darkens and the lights illuminate the city. Paige texted me earlier to check in, but I ignored it. It wouldn’t sit right with me if I ruined her day simply because mine went to shit.

A hair-raising sensation slithers up my spine and I halt in my tracks. Everything inside is warning me of an unseen danger. I take in my surroundings, being sure to make eye contact with each person who passes.

I know how it feels being watched by someone lurking around dark corners. That very same awareness speaks to me now.

I hustle to the nearest subway station when I can’t find the source of my unease. My brothers made sure I understood the importance of listening when my intuition is telling me something.

Whatever – whoever – is out there is a threat. But right now, I’m in no shape to meet them head-on.

Walking through the front entrance, I nod toward the doorman of Rhys’ building. He offers me a warm smile.

“Evening, Miss Sarah.”

I return his smile, only mine is tense and likely resembles a pained grimace.

After scanning the access card Rhys gave me, the elevator begins to rise toward the penthouse. My knee bounces absentmindedly as I lean with my back pressed against the wall.

Mark doesn’t know who I am, so I don’t think he’d have eyes on me. It wouldn’t make sense.

Wait. Didn’t Paige say she spoke with Mark the night we met Declan and Rhys? It’s likely he saw me with her then.

But what reason would he have to have eyes on me?

Deep in thought, I startle when the elevatorpingsand the doors open. The penthouse is dark and soundless.

I guess Rhys isn’t back yet.

I leave my shoes at the entryway and toss my bag onto the couch, then head down the hallway.

Needing to wash away the emotions of the day, I flick the light on in the ensuite and start the shower. Steam causes condensation to form on the surface of the vanity mirror. I stare at my reflection, taking in every detail.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to mask how I’m feeling. It’s only when I’m alone that I let that veil drop, revealing just how broken I am on the inside.

The blue hues in my eyes fade to a muted gray. Despite the sleep I’m able to get lying next to Rhys every night, the purple bruising around my eyes and the paleness of my skin exposes just how restless that sleep actually is.

Shedding my clothes, I step into the shower. My skin turns red from the heat of the water. My chest tightens. Anger and betrayal are quickly replaced by loneliness, and I curl up into a ball on the tiled floor.

* * *

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