Page 109 of Flawed

Several more hours pass. The club gets busier, and the desperate panic I can't escape rushes back.

Why doesn't she return?

It's because of me. She's avoiding me.

The pit in my stomach grows.

How could I have let her slip away again after all these years?

I glance at my watch. It's close to midnight, and I'm ready to lose it. I take another joint out and light it up. Four hits in, and I feel nothing.

Fuck. Even my weed won't help me relax anymore.

I need to get away from this.

I hand my joint to one of the women and rise. I walk toward the staircase and freeze.

My heart almost leaps out of my chest. Chanel and Pina walk in. My stellina's wearing a red minidress and gold stilettos. Her hair is longer than the last time I saw her, more like when we first met. It hangs in long curls, but one side is pinned back. Her pouty lips match her dress, and all I want to do is get them on mine.

She walks with Pina through the club, but unlike last time, she carries herself confidently. My chest tightens, and I realize she's been here enough that she's comfortable.

I'll kill whoever's touched her.

I grip the railing, stopping myself from rushing up to her. The thought of her spending one second in this club without me watching out for her makes me angry.

And nauseous.

They weave their way through the crowd, get in the elevator, and I move to the end of the hallway. I step into the shadows and wait.

Come on. Come to this floor.

The elevator opens, and Pina steps out. I wait for Chanel, but the doors close.

The hairs on my neck rise.Where is she?

I take the stairs, two at a time, and scour the floor below. She's nowhere in sight, so I go to the next level. There are only four suites, and they're a mix of Abruzzos and O'Learys.

I know most of them, and several try to get me into conversations. I push through the crowd, trying not to make it obvious I'm looking for someone. That could lead to questions.

I exit the last suite and continue down the hallway toward the private rooms. My pulse beats harder as I glance through the glass of each one.

Please don't let her be in one of these.

I pass the first six, ignoring the men and women at the windows and cringing inside at some of the scenes taking place. I'm not a judgmental person, but sex should be enjoyable. Most of the stuff that goes on in those rooms looks painful.

Where is she?

I go through the next door. It's the area where all the windows are mirrored. The people inside know they're being watched but can't see who is watching them. I step through and freeze.

My stellina's at the end of the corridor. No one else is around. Her hands grip the window ledge, and she stares intently through the glass. I lock the door and watch her.

What is it she's so mesmerized by?

Is she into voyeurism?

My strides get longer. Each beat of my heart sounds louder. I step behind her, sliding my arm around her waist, and her tiny gasp fills my ears.

I lean into her and murmur, "What are you watching?" I push her hair over her other shoulder and kiss her neck.

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