I got off the bus in Memphis and immediately got a cab to a cheap motel that took cash and didn’t ask for a name. The room was ten times worse than my apartment ever could’ve been and I could hear people screaming at each other constantly, but there was a computer in the main office that guests could use, for the low, low price of ten dollars an hour.

I kept my bag on me and used the computer to quickly search for Stone Security. A location in Memphis popped up and I scribbled down the address before erasing the search history and going back to my room.

The lock on my door wasn’t great, so I shoved the dresser in front of the door and the chair in front of the dresser. The only window into the place was in the bathroom and it was so small that only a small toddler could’ve passed through it. I was locked in tight. The only concern I had was if someone did get in, I was stuck with them.

I put my bag on the toilet seat and turned on the shower. My body was stiff and I’d picked up a distinct garbage smell outside of the police station. I needed a shower and some time to think.

Carly would go looking for me. If she couldn’t find me, she’d go to the police and then the cop who’d tried to hand me over to Snake could send Snake her way and she’d be doomed. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I caused her to get hurt. Margie, either. I thought about Mark and sighed.

The water was actually hot, and I groaned as it pounded into my sore back. I rested my forearm against the wall under the showerhead and let the water rain down on me as I tried to make sense of what I was going to do.

I had to call them. Maybe not Mark. As much as I hated to just vanish on him, he didn’t even know where I lived or worked. He’d just think I lost interest. Carly would be my first call. I knew she would’ve been worried after I missed brunch, but if I didn’t show up at all that day, she’d have a come apart. She was used to seeing me daily.

I finished my shower and got dressed in jeans and a tank top. I wrapped my hair into a bun and then packed everything back in my bag before moving my barricade and heading out to find a payphone.

The one I found was next to a dollar store. The parking lot was dotted with trash and people standing around. I kept my front to them so I could see if anyone was coming up to me.

Carly answered on the first ring. “This better be you, Raelyn, and you’d better have a fucking great excuse for ditching me today!”

I gave a light chuckle. “It’s me. I don’t have much time to talk, Carly. I just need you to do something for me.”

She sucked in a large breath. “What’s going on?”

“I had to leave town. I can’t tell you details, but I’m safe. You can’t look for me, though, Carly. Just tell Margie that I’m safe and that I’ll come back when I can.”

She made a choking noise. “What? What are you talking about?”

“That’s all I can say. I wish I could tell you more. God, I wish I could tell you more. Just don’t go looking. Don’t ask anyone questions. Don’t mention my name to anyone besides Margie. I know it all sounds crazy, but I’m serious.”

Finally, Carly laughed. “I get it. This is payback. I must’ve done something stupid last night. Go on. Tell me what asinine thing I did.”

“Stop it, Carly. I’m serious. I’m sorry to spring this all on you, but I won’t be back for a while—if ever. I’m so sorry. Just remember what I said. Tell Margie. I’ll call you when I can.” I fought back tears and blew out a big breath. “Don’t bring any stray guys home, okay?”

I hung up the phone and waited for a few minutes to make sure she didn’t dial the payphone back. When she didn’t, I went back to the motel and shoved my furniture back in front of the door after making sure the room was empty. Then, I curled up in the chair and cried until I fell into a light sleep, jerking awake at every slight noise outside.

*

The next morning, I showered again, feeling dirty from sleeping in the chair. I pulled my jeans back on and then shrugged into a T-shirt. I put my hair in a ponytail and pulled a hat on over it. Unfortunately, all I had to wear were my wedge heels. They weren’t meant for sprinting across cities, but they’d worked the day before, so I had to have faith in them.

I took another cab, accepting that I was using the last of my money to get to Jack Stone. If he was a bust, I was out of luck. I would be homeless and penniless.

I started to worry when the driver drove out of the city limits and into a greener area. I watched his meter climb higher and higher until I couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop.”

He did as I asked and looked back at me. “What’s wrong?”

“If I don’t walk from here, I’m going to have to run away from the tab when we get to this place. Thank you for driving me this far. I’m sorry I don’t have more for a tip.”

He stared at me for a few moments and then smiled. “I’ll take you the rest of the way for a hand job.”

I stared at him with a blank face and then shoved the money at him. “Get lost, asshole.”

He called me a bitch and then sped away. I just rolled my eyes. He wasn’t the first guy who was willing to be so nice just for a hand job, or a blowjob, or even a quickie. The things men thought they could ask for, just for being nice, astounded me.

I flipped him the bird, letting the stress and anxiety get to me for the moment. I was doing my best to hold my shit together, but I could only take so much.

I walked another mile before coming up over a hill and spotting the business. It was bigger than I expected. With more windows. I’d never seen a building like it. I’d never even been around so much green.

If I was being honest with myself, all of the grass and trees were making me feel a little anxious. I’d never been out of Jackson, and the part of Jackson I lived in wasn’t green. This place was almost foreign.

Stone Security was a big square that looked like it’d been tipped on its side. The whole thing was glass and steel in a way that made me terrified of going in. I didn’t completely understand how a gust of wind didn’t knock it over and shatter the whole thing.

I gathered my nerve and remembered that Jack Stone was the only thing standing between Snake and me.

I pushed open the front door and a blast of cold air hit me. The place smelled clean and was so silent that it made my skin itch. There was a large desk at the other side of the room with a couple of big guys in uniforms behind it.

As soon as I stepped inside the building, they were alert. They both watched me as I got closer to them. The larger one, with a buzzed head, nodded at me. “Ma’am. Can we help you?”

“I need to see Jack Stone.”

He frowned. “Does Mr. Stone have an appointment with you today?”

I frowned back at him, feeling desperation crawl up my neck like a tangible thing. “No, but it’s very important.”

The smaller one shook his head. “Mr. Stone is busy. He’s always busy. Make an appointment, lady.”

I sucked in a large breath and then blew it out slowly. “I need to speak with him. Please, let him make the decision himself on whether or not he wants to see me.”

“Just go home and make an appointment.”

I slapped the counter and glared at him. “I don’t want to be a pain, but I’m going to be. You either get Jack or I’m going to scream so loud, this whole building will crumble.”

“That won’t be necessary. What can I help you with?” a deep voice asked from behind me.

I turned around and met the stare of Jack Stone. I took a second to appreciate that he’d gotten better with age. The pretty eyes were still there, though, planted in the middle of a hard face.

I pulled my hat off and gave him a smile. “I doubt you remember me, but—”

“Red. From Jackson.”

I stared at him for a few seconds and nodded. “I have to talk to you and ask for a big favor.”

He frowned, but nodded. “Come on up to my office.”

I silently followed him to the elevator, taking him in. He was dressed in black cargo pants with a fitted black T-shirt. His boots were black, too. He was smudged in dirt and grass, but he smelled amazing. There was something fresh to his smell, like rain and wood.

“Sorry about Hank and Dan at the front.” He swiped a card, and the elevator doors immediately opened. He gestured for me to go in first, and then he leaned against the wall opposite me. His bright blue eyes strayed down my body before coming back to my neck. “You still running in the same crowd?”

I reached up and felt my neck. It ached to the touch and I shivered at the memory of Snake’s fingers around my neck. “No. That same crowd keeps finding me, though.”

He shook his head slowly and looked down at his boots. “You telling the truth?”

I stood up straight and balled up my fists at my sides. “I don’t lie. I haven’t stepped foot inside of Rage in over two years.”

His eyes moved back up my body. “Okay.”

I turned and faced the number panel and prayed that he wasn’t going to be an asshole. I’d had enough assholes. Surely, it was my time to find a nice guy who was willing to help. For free.

The doors opened, and Jack led me through a set of desks and into a conference room. He motioned toward the table. “Go ahead and have a seat. This will work better than my office. I’ve got to get changed, but I’ll be right back.”

I nodded. “Sure. Thanks.”

I didn’t sit, though. I went to the massive wall of windows and looked at the landscaping. It was beautiful and I could see some sort of obstacle course that I hadn’t been able to see from the front. There were several men running it.

I watched with interest as they leapt over barricades and dove under ropes.

“They aren’t nearly as impressive looking up close.”

I spun around to find a guy just as big as Jack standing behind me. He’d crept in silently. I put my hand over my heart and frowned at him. “You scared the hell out of me.”

A ghost of a smile touched his lips before fading. “Jack said you had something you needed to talk to him about. Can I get you anything while you wait on him?”

I cocked my head to the side. “He sent you to get me coffee?”

Another smile, and then a shrug. “I do a little bit of everything. Do you want coffee?”

I shook my head. I was keyed up enough as it was. Something about being in front of Jack had me all twisted up. I was more nervous than I should’ve been. “No, thank you.”

“One of the women that works here made brownies. How about a brownie?”

I shook my head again and shoved my hat back on. “I’m fine. Thanks, though.”

“I’m Bo. Just yell if you need anything.”

The image made me laugh. “Has anyone ever yelled inside of this building?”

“You’d be surprised.”

I watched as he left, and then turned back to the window.

A few minutes later, I heard Jack come back in, the soft rustle of his clothes and that signature scent giving him away. “Bo is quieter than you.”