Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
I let out a relieved breath. Four names above Titus’, I see his client’s name—the one he was dragging out of there—and let out another relieved breath. I knew he wasn’t lying, but having solid proof makes me feel a little better.
I glance up and find Leo looking at me, which gives me pause for a moment, before I ask, “Is there any way to get footage of this night? Right before or after the fire?”
“I tried,” he says.
I tear my gaze from his and look at the side of the industrial coffee machine. I’d already told him I didn’t remember anything, but I feel like I should tell him the reason for my lapse in memory. Being drugged is something I’ve thought about sharing with my followers multiple times. I haven’t, because I hate bringing people down and sometimes what I’m going through would do exactly that. The drug thing feels like something that’s important to share.
The issue is I don’t remember what happened, and sharing my experience would lead to questions I don’t have answers for. My stomach twists when I think about Tate. He said he’d been drugged the night he ran into Gracie, and after forcing myself to watch the video again, I believe him.
“I was drugged that night,” I say, looking at Leo, whose eyes widen. “That’s why I don’t remember it.”
“Are you okay? Did anything happen?” he asks, and he seems genuinely concerned.
“I don’t think anything happened,” I say.
It’s another thing that would drive me crazy if I think about it too much. The rape kit proved I wasn’t raped, but that doesn’t mean other things didn’t happen. The thought makes me want to throw up. This is why I don’t dwell on it.
He frowns. “You don’t think anything happened?”
“There’s no telling. I really don’t remember any of it. I was at the bar at Onyx drinking water, and that’s as far as my memory goes. That’s why I want the footage.”
He’s still frowning as he nods slowly. “I’ll get it for you.”
“I thought you said—”
He waves a hand, suddenly looking determined. “I’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you.” I offer a small smile and go back to the papers.
Johnny Matthews
Paul Rose
Erin Cain
Laura Erickson
Tate Ford
My breath catches.
“Did you see one you recognize?” Leo asks.
My heart is in my throat, in my ears, as I nod. I flip the pages in a daze until I finally reach the guest list for their exclusive group, and bring both shaking hands up to cover my mouth when I see Mallory’s and Tate’s names on the list.
“What is it?” Leo asks urgently, sliding the papers so he can see.
I look around for Olivia, but I only see her bag and laptop. I spot her outside on the phone. I lower my hands and point a shaky finger to Tate’s name.
“Do you know him?”
“Of course. He used to go all the time.” He frowns as he looks at me. “You’re shaking. Are you okay?”
I swallow hard, trying to maintain my composure, even though my eyes are burning with unshed tears that I know will fall any minute. What does this mean? Do I even want to know? My thoughts are scrambling as I think about Mal’s journal entries. “T” picking her up, someone looking at her from across the table, the truck. Tate’s red fucking truck.
“Oh my God, I’m going to be sick,” I whisper hoarsely.
I bury my face in my hands, and suddenly everything feels like too much. My skin feels too tight and my heart is galloping too hard, too loudly in my ears. My vision starts to tunnel and I know without a doubt that I’m on the verge of fainting.
“Oh my God!” Livie’s voice is near. I feel hands on my shoulders. “What’s going on? What did you tell her?”
“I didn’t say anything. She was looking at the paper and saw a name that upset her.”
“What the fuck?” Livie hisses. “Let me see.”
“No. These are confidential. I did this as a favor to your friend.”
“Yeah, real fucking favor.”
There’s more talking, but it all sounds muffled when my head begins to spin.
“I think I’m going to…” is all I can get out before everything goes dark.
51
JOSSLYN
“What the fuck, Olivia?! You just let him leave?! Who was it?!”
I frown at the sound of that voice.
“What was I supposed to do? Tie him to the chair?!”
“YES, GODDAMNIT!”
I open my eyes and blink rapidly, trying to clear the black and white dots in my vision. It’s only then that I realize I’m no longer on a chair, but on a couch, and I’m sitting on a person’s lap. I blink, and blink again, frowning when I turn my face and see Tiago staring back at me.
“What the…” I start, but Livie rushes forward and grabs my face in her hands.
“You scared the fuck out of me!” she says, her voice catching.