Page 2 of Beautifully Reckless

I should probably hurry side stage to show my support, but since I’m not in the mood for another anatomy lesson, I’m happy to stay tucked away in the back of the club, minding my own business.

The laundry room door suddenly slams open, ricocheting off the wall and nearly taking Ariel out as she stumbles inside, fear stark on her face.

“Ariel?” I ask, stiffening.

“Girl, you gotta go!” Her voice is urgent, her hands waving frantically.

“W-what?” I take a step back as my stomach twists.

“The cops are here. They’re looking for you.”

My eyes widen as panic grips me, the walls suddenly feeling like they are closing in.

“How?” I whisper. “I don’t understand.”

“Shit girl, come on.” Martini appears behind Ariel, pink glitter shimmering over her bronze skin as her claw-tipped nails wigglein my direction. “You are Abbey Delany, right? The missing girl plastered all over the news?”

My breath catches.

My name.

They know my real name.

“I told you my name was Angel.”

Ariel scoffs. “We knew who you were the second we saw you. Why do you think I insisted on changing your look?”

“To blend in,” I whisper.

“Yeah, and so you didn’t look so much like that sweet girl on the news.” Ariel darts her worried gaze between me and the door. “Come on. You have to go. We don’t have time for this.”

Snatching my hand, Ariel tugs me through the door while explaining over her shoulder as we rush through the passages. “Freddie is trying to stall them out front, but it’s only a matter of time before they come back here.”

My heart is practically in my throat as we run, weaving back through the maze of passages until we reach side stage where Shandi is bouncing up and down impatiently waiting for us.

“Hurry! They’ve started their search.”

Shandi shoves my backpack into my hands, and I clutch it to my chest as Daffney rushes up, stuffing a wad of cash inside.

“I can’t take that,” I protest.

“Girl, we look out for each other,” Ariel snaps. “Take the money and run. Come back when things cool down. You’ll always have a home here.”

Tears prick my eyes. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

The stage door swings open then. Smoke and neon light spilling over us, as the audience comes into view.

Time slows as my gaze lands on someone I never wanted to see again.

I stiffen as my blood turns to ice.

Daniel.

His venomous glare finds me instantly, and his lips curl as he mouths a single word.

“Gotcha.”

“No.” The word barely escapes me, fear making my knees weak as I stumble back into my friends.

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