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Story: The Strategist

Fuck.

I chased after him down the hallway and heard a door slam. I darted out the back door, which opened to the side parking lot. A black car screeched down the alley.

You can’t run from me, James Chin.

I called the PI. “I lost him. He took off in a black car. Can you check the surveillance for the plate numbers?”

“Will do.”

“Thanks.”

Maybe the plate number would offer a useful address.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

VIVIAN

I wokewith a pounding headache and cursed myself for overdoing it with the girls. My limbs felt like they were made of lead. Turning to the side table, the clock showed seven in the morning. I bolted up in bed, thinking I was late for work. But then I realized it was Sunday. I didn’t have to get to the office early to prep for anything.

I blew out a sigh of relief as I flipped through my Sunday routine. First, I needed to get some painkillers to ease the headache. I had grocery shopping to do for the week. Kaylee would be back from Violet’s place after lunch, and we could catch up.

I hadn’t had a chance to really talk to her about Heartstrings and where she was getting volunteers to help her. As I pushed the blanket away, I noticed my pajama pants but not the matching top. I had on my tank top from yesterday, and my sweater was draped over the chair.

How in hell did I do all that and not remember a damn thing?

How did I get home? This was terrifying.

Did Audri or Kiera drive me? They’d also been pretty drunk.

I raked a hand through my messy hair. Though the evening had been fun, I had placed my life in jeopardy. Who had driven me home? Audri probably asked Remi to drive me home and she probably accompanied him. She was thoughtful like that. Or it could have been Kiera and Forrest.

Had I said something stupid or private while I’d been under the influence?Oh, God.

Kaylee could never know I’d gotten sloppy drunk, somehow made it home, and lost all my memory of what I’d done.

What kind of role model was I?

Yesterday seemed like a blur. I remembered seeing Arrow with his ex, which pissed me off, so I went to hang out withthe girls.

I remembered receiving the tarot card reading and seeing Arrow at Audri’s, but that was it. Why was everything so foggy in my head?

Because you enjoyed way too much alcohol.

Groaning, I walked into the bathroom to wash up. Hopefully, the water would freshen me up and clear my head. I vaguely remembered talking to Arrow. Or was that a dream? I thought I dreamed about someone giving me a piggyback ride.

After washing up, I sent Audri a message.

Vivian:Hey, how did I get home last night?

Audri:Arrow drove you home.

Vivian:I don’t remember anything.

Audri:You were so drunk!

Vivian:Lesson learned.

Audri:Do you remember your SSG mission?