Page 2 of The Forbidden Note

She was the person who made me human.

“A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be frowning like that,” says a man to my right.

The chair had been empty a second ago. I hadn’t noticed when it became occupied.

I tighten my fingers around the cup and look at him. “Excuse me?”

“You need another drink.” He snaps his fingers at the bartender. “Yo! Another round for the lady.”

The bartender, busy with other customers, doesn’t even glance up.

I’d do the same.

“Geez, can I get some service around here?” He slams his hands on the counter, drawing more eyes and making me squirm in second-hand embarrassment.

“I don’t want another drink.” I ease off the bar stool. Grab my purse. Scramble to get away from him.

“Don’t be like that. Look.” He flashes cash in my face. “I’ve got money. I’ll pay for it.”

Wow.

“I’m fine,” I say tightly.

The stranger glances at my chest that’s bursting out of my low-cut dress. A slow, lecherous grin crosses his mouth. “Sweetheart, you didn’t come here tonight looking like that, expecting to leave alone, did you?”

My skin bristles.

Yet another strike in the ‘should have stayed home’ column.

“You here with someone?” He leans forward, getting in my face. The overpowering scent of his cologne makes me nauseous.

“I’m not interested,” I say, trying to wave the bartender over so I can get my card and leave.

He chuckles and grabs my arm. “Baby, that’s not what I asked.”

I freeze, my heartbeat accelerating. Everything inside me wants to throw my drink in his face and run, but I can’t move.

Do I make a scene or just keep quiet?

My heart burns.

My eyes drop to the floor.

It’s easier to keep my mouth shut.

It’s what I’ve done all my life.

You’re only one person. You can’t change anything. You can’t make a difference.

But that was the old me.

I have a mission, a new job.

I’m moving back to that despicable city… to make a change.

I’m done being quiet.

As I open my mouth, a dark voice slices the air behind me.

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