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Heaving breaths in and out of my body, I turned around, preparing myself to see him standing directly behind me.
But he wasn’t there.
He wasn’t in the lobby either.
As I looked through the glass panes of the door, I didn’t see him near it or on the other side or even by the pool.
Where are you?
I searched for the black outfit, the matching hat, turning in a circle, scanning the bodies and faces of the people around me.
But he wasn’t in here.
He wasn’t outside from what I could see.
But I was sure he wasn’t gone.
He was just hiding.
Waiting.
Determining the perfect opportunity to strike.
My phone was on my arm, wrapped in a band that kept it in place. As I attempted to calm my breathing, I took it off and held it in my hands, staring at the screen, trying to find my voice so I could call my security team and have one of them come pick me up.
I trusted them.
I knew they wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
But there was someone who I thought could protect me even more.
Who would be enraged if he knew what had just happened.
Does he know?
Is Bale still watching?
I looked at my phone, the home screen a jumble of apps and colors, and I knew it was ridiculous, but something made me want to speak to it as though Bale were on the other side.
As though he were listening.
As though he’d get my message and immediately respond.
“Bale,” I whispered, still panting, out of breath, “if you can hear me, if you can see me … help.” I swallowed, the truth burning. “I need you.”
EIGHTEEN
Pepper
Miami hadn’t felt right.
It hadn’t felt safe.
It weirdly didn’t feel like home anymore.
So, within twelve hours of my security team picking me up from the South Beach hotel I’d run to, I was in LA, planning to live here permanently with an armed guard always at my side. I added more security at each of the club’s entrances. I also had my data engineer enhancing the encryption to the computers of each of my team members, our backend system, and the payment processing center—all trying to prevent any hacking.
Whether they came after my business or me—again—I was going to be prepared.
