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I slump against the side wall of the elevator, my breath coming in choppy gasps. But as the elevator starts to lower, I realize that the wall I’m leaning on is glass; and the man, apparently named King, is standing there at the railing, staring at me. But a moment before I drop out of sight, I see him curse and stride toward the stairs.
* * *
Panic has fully consumedme by the time the doors slide open so, I don’t waste a second, squeezing out the door and hurrying toward the exit, hoping not to run into anyone this time.
I checked the progress of my Uber on the way down, and it should be pulling up outside right now. They’ll only wait a few minutes, but that’s more than enough time. If I’m not out those front doors in the next sixty seconds, I might never make it out.
The lobby is a grand affair, and there’s a short flight of four steps to get down from the main open area to the front doors, where the security guards are standing around.
I’m too worried about King chasing me to notice that it started raining outside, and that enough people have come and gone, leaving tracks of water on the sleek stone steps.
On the second step, my stupid high-heeled shoe hits the slippery surface just right and slides out from underneath me.
Flinging my arms wide, I get my hand on the railing, but not soon enough. My momentum sends me landing, ass first, onto the solid edge of the step. Pain immediately shoots up my spine.
It hurts.
A lot.
But that’s not the reason more tears stream down my face.
I’m done.
I’m just so fucking done with… all of it. My entire life.
Two of the guards are headed toward me, probably to help. But I don’t want their help.
I don’t want anyone’s help.
Sitting on the step for another moment, I reach down and shove one shoe off, then the other. I never want to see these damn things again.
Loud footsteps echo across the lobby from behind me, and I’m out of time.
Wincing, I use the handrail to pull myself up.
Then I do the one thing I’m good at.
I run.
CHAPTER54
Nero
My eyes snapto King’s the second he steps back into the party. And when he shakes his head, my temper flashes into a bright fury.
I checked my watch every minute King was gone, so I know exactly what time it is. And I know I have ninety-four minutes until I can leave.
And the second I can, there’s only one place I’m going––to teach Payton a lesson.
CHAPTER55
Payton
I can’t stop crying.
I feel so stupid.
So goddamn foolish.
