Page 104 of Toxic

I shudder at the thought as the scents of sweat, garlic, alcohol, and lavender flare in my nostrils.

I put my hand on my stomach and blink hard. The last stall is empty, so I go in it. I stand facing the door, counting to one hundred, trying to calm my insides and giving myself a pep talk to stay in the club until I catch Dante.

When I feel strong enough to continue, I open the door and gape.

Brenna, Finn's girlfriend from years ago, stares at me in shock. Her hand flies over her mouth, and we stare at each other. Unlike the last time I saw her in Central Park, she looks fabulous. She's wearing designer clothes that probably cost thousands and looks like she hasn't aged. Her naturally blonde hair is brown with highlights, and her makeup is flawless.

I tug her into the stall and shut the door. Throwing my arms around her, we both tear up. I exclaim, "Oh my God! Brenna!"

We both sob for a brief moment. I retreat and hold her cheeks. "Where have you been?"

She scrunches her face. "Here."

"Where?" I ask.

She squeezes her eyes shut, and more tears fall. I pull her back into an embrace, saying, "Please tell me what's going on? I never thought I'd see you again. And then Finn found a picture. Someone took a photo of us and—"

"Finn? What are you talking about?" she asks, as if surprised.

I swallow the lump in my throat, remembering how Finn thought I knew where she was and just wasn't telling him. I admit, "He's out of prison. He's been looking for you."

"W-what do you mean? Finn's dead. I-I saw the photos and his death certificate," she states.

I shake my head hard. "No. He's not. He was in New York at Thanksgiving."

Her lips tremble and the color drains from her face.

A new thought occurs to me. I question, "Is that why you never came home? You thought he was dead?"

"I-I didn't have money to get home. I was on the street, running from the Baileys. Th-they bought me. I killed another man!"

The Baileys. She's been running from them, too? How did she end up in that situation?

I blurt out, "Another? What do you mean?"

"Brad, of course."

My heart beats harder. Brad was her ex-boyfriend who wouldn't leave her alone. Finn went to jail for murdering him. Not once did he ever claim his innocence. I inquire, "Finn didn't kill him?"

Her voice cracks. "No. I did."

Too shocked, I stay silent, putting the pieces together.

"Did Finn not tell you the truth?" Brenna asks.

I nod. "No. But it makes sense now. He loved you."

She looks like she's about to break down, processing the information.

"Hestillloves you," I firmly state.

Her lips curve, but then the beginning of her smile falls. "Tell him I love him. I-I..." Her tears fall quickly, dripping off her chin. She pushes her chin out. "But tell him to stay away, or he'll get killed."

Confused, I pin my eyebrows together. "Brenna. No. He won't stop until he finds you. I have to tell him."

"Please. I already ruined his life. If he's...if he's alive, then I don't want him to die because of me. The man who owns me—"

"Owns you?" I interject.

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