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Great.
Being alone in a safe place meant that my walls could come down. It meant I could finally think about what had occurred. Then again, if I thought too much about it, I was going to spin myself into a whirlwind of anxiety.
It had all happened so quickly. I hadn’t thought—I’d just reacted.
I was alive because of it.
But that meant someone else was dead.
I collapsed on the side of the bed, spread my legs, and stuck my head between them.
“You’re okay,” I whispered. “You’re okay. You’ll get through this. You’ll get through this like you’ve gotten through every other hardship.”
Once I’d given myself a pep talk, I forced myself to stand. I grabbed my phone from my purse. It was just past three in the morning and because of adrenaline, caffeine, and sugar, I was jacked up.
I shot off a text to Carla, letting her know I was safe and sound. Her reply was almost immediate. I turned my cell on vibrate and set it down on the nightstand.
I opened my duffel bag and looked around for my toiletries. They hadn’t been packed. No matter. I’d be able to do without for a night, though I hoped there was at least toothpaste in the bathroom. Sure enough, there was a travel-sized tube on the counter next to the sink.
As I finger-brushed my teeth, I stared at my reflection. My brown hair fell to the middle of my back, and at the moment it was a tangled mess. My cheeks were pale, and my brown eyes looked far too wide in my face. Without makeup and with freckles splattered across my nose, I looked younger than twenty-two.
I turned on the bedside lamp before flipping out the main light. I stripped down to my underwear and crawled beneath the covers. Eventually, the adrenaline ran its course and my body’s exhaustion overpowered the whirlwind of my mind.
And then I slept.
Chapter5
“Jesus fucking Christ,”a low, raspy voice muttered.
My eyes cracked open, but my hair covered my face. I hastily shoved it aside and looked in the direction of the person whose curse had dragged me from a sound sleep.
I glared at Viper as he stood at the edge of the bed. He was scowling and looked like he was about to punch a wall.
“What’s got your panties in a twist?” I demanded.
“Speaking of panties…” His gaze dropped.
My brow furrowed in confusion. That’s when I realized I’d kicked off the covers while I slept.
And my thong-clad ass was on display, along with a healthy dose of skin.
“Try knocking next time,” I snapped, hastily grabbing the covers and yanking them up to my chin.
“I did. You didn’t answer.”
“Probably because I was asleep,” I pointed out. “What time is it, anyway?”
“A little after eight.”
I peered at him. His eyes were bloodshot.
“Did you sleep?” I asked.
He clenched his jaw. “Prez is here. Wants to talk to you.”
“He can wait,” I said. “I need coffee first. And a toothbrush. Savage forgot to pack my toiletries.”
Viper’s scowl turned into a glower. “Prez doesn’t wait. And I’ll get you a fucking toothbrush.”
