Page 26 of Forget Me Not

Gently, I lift the corner of the blanket to see that he’s got on a pair of boxers, which is gratifying. However, it doesn’t excuse the fact that I am in his fucking bed!

I was supposed to come back here, maybe fuck him, then steal all his money and leave! So what the fuck actually happened is beyond me.

Fighting like hell, I try to remember the events of last night…

I stole money from the mayor’s wife.

Alaric spilled a drink on me.

I cut myself off.

We were standing in the parking lot. I was planning to leave with him. Which I did, apparently. I can vaguely picture the outside of his car in my head. It was an Aston Martin, I do remember that. Fire red with black rims. An engine that purred.

Did I black out before getting in his car?

Or…

I spring out of the bed, not even attempting to silence my steps as I frantically search for my purse.

What if he drugged me?

“You. Son. Of. A. Bitch,” I grumble out each word slowly as I stare at his comatose body lying in the bed.“What the hell did you do to me?”

I’m still in my clothes and I don’t feel like I’ve been violated in any way, aside from the piss in my underwear. I suppose it’s not uncommon to lose control of your bladder when you’re knocked out.

I rub my arm, noticing a sore spot and when I look at it, I see the tiniest bruise that has me certain he injected me with something.

The thought is terrifying. I was passed out in this room with this stranger, for God knows how long. He could have done anything he wanted to me.

“You don’t know who you just fucked with, asshole!” My voice is a low growl as I snatch his wallet off the nightstand.Oddly enough, my phone is lying there, too. Directly in front of the clock on my side of the bed.

Is this a test? Did he plant this here just for me, knowing I’d see it next to my phone? Alaric doesn’t know a thing about me, if that even is his real name, so why would he suspect that I’m desperate for money right now? He did see me steal from a lady’s purse at Taryn’s. Vaguely, I remember him throwing that in my face.

I don’t know this man from Adam, though. His intentions could be just as morbid as mine.

I flip open the wallet and quickly extract a wad of cash. My eyes light up when I see that it’s all one-hundred-dollar bills. This is a rarity and I won’t complain about it. Normally I’d leave some behind, so my heist isn’t so obvious, but there’s not a doubt in my mind Alaric will know it was me. And you know what? I don’t fucking care.As far as he’s considered, I’m a tourist leaving town today.

This man…oh, this man! He is in for a rude awakening when he wakes up. I know he drugged me, and if he comes after me for stealing his money, I’ll prove it.

I snatch my shoes off the floor, careful to be as quiet as possible. With haste, I scour the room one last time for my purse. There’s a good chance he either hid it, or it’s in his car. Or it’s very possible I left it at the bar. I’m going with that possibility because I don’t have time to stick around and search. Shit, my ID. Nope. Not a big deal. Dex can make another ID if needed. I’m not sticking around here a second longer.

Without another thought, I rush out the door, letting it close with a thud. My feet don’t stop moving until I’m at the elevator.

The doors open before I can even press the button, and I’m surprised to see an attendant waiting inside at this hour of the night—or morning, rather.

“Good morning,” the short man says with his hands folded daintily in front of his chest. “Going down, I assume?”

Before he can unclasp his hands and press the button, I do it myself. “Yes, please. Sorry. I’m in somewhat of a hurry.”

“No worries.” He cracks a smile. “I hope you’re feeling better this morning?”

“Feeling better?” I spit, my bones rattling with anticipation. “Did you see me last night? Was I awake?”

He lowers his head without a response. When the elevator doors open, he lifts his eyes as if he’s expecting me to walk out.

Quickly, I press the button to close the doors and stand in front of the panel, so he can’t reopen them. “Answer me. What state of consciousness was I in?”

When he’s still silent with sealed lips, as if he’s been paid to remain shut, I step forward. “Tell me, dammit!”

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