“I can’t help with that.” He pauses again.
I can tell he’s about to end the call. “Wait.” I call out sitting up, but the line disconnects before I’m able to ask anything else.
My head still spinning, I force myself up, having to exhale as I shake it and walk over to the closet. Grabbing clothes out of it and shoving them into a duffel bag.
Moving into the bathroom and filling up my toiletry bag, the gagging takes me by surprise as I lean over where the toilet is, exhaling, before I gag again, only nothing comes out.
“What the fuck?”
Standing up, somehow finally feeling better before looking at myself in the mirror, nodding my head, grabbing my bag off the counter, and turning off the lights.
Shoving the cosmetic bag into the duffel bag, I sigh, looking back at my phone. Picking it up, I press the call button as I walk out of the apartment.
“What?” a groggy Zeke answers the sat line in purgatory.
“I just got a weird phone call.”
“What?” seeming more awake now.
“Someone just called and told me to leave and go out to the desert.”
“Was it Eli?” I hate that he’s been as involved with the club.
“I don’t think so.” I groan out, pretending I’m having to think about it. “I didn’t recognize the voice. But they definitely made it sound like they were planning on tailing me, so I’m heading that way now.”
“Make sure you’re not followed out here.”
“I won’t be.” I pause, looking around the parking lot as I make my way to my car, remembering what the voice on the other end had said. “On second thought, is your bike still at Pistons?” Forcing myself to shake off the feeling of someone watching me.
“Yeah, you think someone’s tracking you?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t think we should take that chance.”
“I agree, and honestly, I could use it here.” He laughs again. “Remember —”
“I know. Pull the sim card at Joshua Tree and put it in the cage. I’ll be there soon.” Pulling the phone away from my ear.
“Drew!”he calls out to me again.
“Yeah?” putting the phone back up to my ear.
“Be smart. Love you.”
It brings a smile to my face for the first time since I woke up all alone in the hotel as I nod my head.
“I will. Love you, too.”
* * *
Purgatory is just as I remember it from when I was a child.
Everything except that I no longer have to share with all the other kids around the club is the same.
Walking out into the kitchen, I’m still feeling awful and I’m sure the sheen of sweat is still on me as I hold my head, leaning over the kitchen island.
“You okay?” I hear Liv call from behind me.
“Huh?” I rub my hands down my face. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
