Page 117 of Renascence

I miss him so much sometimes it’s hard to breathe. He hasn’t called or even texted to see how I am. I doubt he’s even thought of me since I left. It’s my own fault for falling in love with him. I should have known better. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.

Sighing, I turn on my heels to head back to the bar. The door opens and a man walks in.

“This is the ladies’ room, sir.”

“I know.”

He holds the door open for another man to enter. My purse falls from my fingers, a scream lodged in my throat as the man from the fight walks in. While he approaches me, the other man checks the stalls and then locks the door.

“Hello, Miss Pierce.”

“Come near me and I’ll scream.”

“Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. I just need a favor.”

“Why would I do you any favors after what you did to me?”

“Because if you don’t”—he tilts his head to the left—“thenI’ll hurt you.”

I swallow hard. “What do you want?”

“Your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend. I mean, we broke up.”

“Too bad.” He smiles, approaching me. I step back until I collide with the sink. A chilling shiver runs down my spine when he raises his hand, trailing his finger down my cheek. “For him.”

“Don’t touch me.” My words come out weak.

“Do as I say and you’ll be fine. Go back to Stony View, find out what he knows and what they’re planning to do. That’s all.”

“Why do you think he’d tell me? They don’t tell their women anything about the club, and like I told you, we broke up. There’s no reason for him to even talk to me.”

Licking his lips, his eyes drop to my breasts. “I’m confident in your persuasive skills, Miss Pierce.” He hands me an old phone. “This is a burner. I’ll call to check in for info. Your first call will come in twenty-four hours.”

When I don’t take the phone, he sticks it in my cleavage, backing away. They’re gone by the time I blink.

Shit. What am I going to do?

Again, Raven’s voice echoes in my head. Liam may not be my man, but he’s the only one I can think of calling. I scramble for my purse, dumping the contents on the floor to find my phone. I check the door to make sure the men have left, then dial his number.

He doesn’t answer.

After three tries, I give up and call Raven.

“Emily!” she exclaims. “You left and didn’t say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry. I just….”

“It’s okay. I know Venom was being a dick. Are you okay?”

“I was actually hoping to talk to Gage, if that’s okay.”

There’s a pause before she asks, “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on, I’ll get him.”