“Hello, Tamara.” Kimberly’s sleepy voice sounded hoarse. “Ali, you can gonow.”
Alexandra whipped her head toward her mom. Kimberly hadn’t called her that since elementary school. Was she regressing to an earlier time? Losing her grasp of reality? She kissed her mom’s cheek. “I loveyou.”
“I love you,too.”
Hugging herself to quell the sudden shaking, Alexandra threw on her wool coat and left.I need some answers. She’s sicker than she’s lettingon.
Alexandra drove home in silence. After turning down her quiet street, she hoped to see lights pouring from her house. Per usual, darkness greeted her. She parked, hurried inside, and turned on every light on the firstfloor.
With a glass of Cab in hand, she sat at the wobbly dining room table and phoned her brother. When she got voicemail, she sent him a text. “Mom had a hard time tonight. I need to talk to you. Call me!” She stared at her phone, hoping for those three littledots.
Several minutes later, her brother still hadn’t replied. After refilling her wine glass, her phone binged with a message fromIncognito.
“Congratulations, you’re confirmed! Hunter looks forward to your connection at ten o’clock, Thursday evening. Once you arrive, please check in using one of the new tablets in the greetingroom.”
Hunter had included a personal message. Her lips curled as she read it. “Get a good night’s sleep, Electra. You’ll needit.”
6
The Pick-Up
Alexandra awoke with astart.Bathed in sweat, she threw back the blankets and flipped on the table lamp.I haven’t had that nightmare inyears.
In it, a man slapped a woman with dark hair and terrified eyes, then grabbed her shoulders and shook her. Instead of cowering, Alexandra ran screaming toward the lady. Decades later, the faceless man remained amystery.
Trying to slow her thundering heart, she breathed deeply. When that didn’t work, she padded to the bathroom for water. It was almost five in the morning. After snuggling beneath the covers, she closed her eyes. But the image of the timid club employee with the bruised cheek crashed into her consciousness. Her eyes flew open.PoorSage.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, physical abuse was a known trigger for her nightmares.I’ll bet a hundred people at the club have seen that poor woman and turned a blind eye to it. Well, notme.
Years ago, Alexandra had reported on the brutal murder of a young woman at an LA shelter. Following that, she spent six months following the lives of three female residents who struggled to break free from their abusers. Though the story had gutted her, she’d wanted their voices to be heard. In the process, she’d exorcised her own demons and the ongoing nightmares that had haunted her sincechildhood.
Or so she’dthought.
The only other time her nightmares had stopped was when she’d dated Crockett. Hoping to soothe her heartache, she rubbed her chest. Though she’d never stayed overnight at his place, she’d felt safe and loved.Until he dumped me.She did not look forward to seeing him at Colton’s engagement party.I’ve avoided him for eleven years. I can avoid him tomorrow,too.
Desperate to stop daydreaming about Crockett Wilde, she tossed off the covers and started herday.
Later that evening,Incognitowas aflutter with activity. After snagging the last two barstools in the crowded lounge, Alexandra searched the sea of masked faces for Hunter. Though eager to see him, she’d arrived early to talk to Sage. So often, battered women lived in fear. If Sage had been a victim of violence, Alexandra doubted the frail employee would admit to it. But that wouldn’t prevent Alexandra from speaking to her. Despite being concerned, her motives were selfish, too. She wanted the nightmares tostop.
As the bartender poured her Chardonnay, Alexandra asked if Sage wasworking.
He leaned over the bar to better hear over the chatter and music. “Who?”
“Sage. She works in the kitchen. Tall, slender.” She wanted to addjumpy, butdidn’t.
“I don’t know anyone by that name, but I’m kinda new. Would you like me to askaround?”
She wanted to snoop without a target on her back. “No worries, I’m seeing her tomorrow.” With a nod, the bartender movedon.
Someone’s shoulder brushed against hers and she turned. Dracule was allsmiles.
“We meet again, lovely Electra. I’m delighted to see you.” Mistaking her polite expression as an invitation to join her, he set her small clutch on the bar and slid into the seat. The one she’d saved forHunter.
“Why, good evening, Dracule.” Alexandra oozed southern charm. “Thank you again for helping me the othernight.”
“Of course. How do you like theclub?”
Members became loose-lipped after a few drinks, so Alexandra did her best to avoid small talk. Before she’d become the savvy and uber-private Electra, one of her Provocateur partners had confided he was married. She had dumped him on the spot. Another time, over drinks, a partner told her she looked familiar, like someone he’d seen on TV. She’d dropped him,too.
