Page 34 of Rum & Coke

I drove to the Strip, hoping I could lose the car in the process, but it didn’t work. Even though Vegas was always hopping, people were inside partying and not driving down Las Vegas Boulevard at two in the morning. I didn’t know what to do. Every turn I took, so did he—or she—or they.

Deciding to get on the freeway, I merged into the far left lane. So did they, but kept their distance as though I hadn’t realized they were following me. Even though it was illegal, I pulled my phone out of my purse and called the first person I could think of, hoping and praying he’d pick up at this late hour.

“Candy?”

I balked. “Candy? Who’s Candy?”

“You.”

“No, I’m Tessa.”

Vinny laughed. “I know this is Tessa, but did you forget that you smell like cotton candy?”

Yes, I did, because there was a murderer following me. “Right. So, um … sorry for calling this late …”

I heard him yawn. “It’s okay. I’ll pick up whenever you call me. What’s up?”

“I just got off—”

“Is this a booty call?”

I snorted and switched lanes, wanting to get off at the next exit, which would bring me close to Fremont Street. “No, it’s not a booty call.”

“Damn,” he muttered. “Then to what do I owe this two-in-the-morning call?”

“I think someone is following me.”

“What?” Vinny boomed into my ear.

“I just got off of work, and as I was driving home, I noticed this car had been following me since the parking lot.”

“Where are you?” I heard rustling on the other end.

“Near downtown.”

“Come to my place.”

“I need to get home to Colt. Sophia needs to go to sleep.”

“Right. Colt. Meet me at the Target by your apartment. I’ll be there waiting.”

“And what if you’re not?”

“I will be. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

I took a deep breath, and instead of turning onto Fremont, I went straight, the car still following me.

It had been almostfour days since I’d last seen Tessa. Four long days. We didn’t have any plans to get together, and when I glanced at my phone half asleep, I instantly smiled. But then I saw the time, and I was suddenly concerned because it wasn’t like her to call me, let alone at two in the morning. Then to hear that someone was fucking following her …

It made my heart race faster than it had ever raced before and panic and fear course through my entire body.

Lucky for me, I wasn’t pulled over for speeding because, as I stayed on the phone with Tessa while we both drove to the Target near her place, I wasn’t paying attention to my speed. When I pulled into the lot, she wasn’t there yet, thank God. I’d told her I’d beat her here, but I wasn’t sure if that were possible or not because I lived twenty minutes away. I’d made it in twelve.

“I’m here,” I told Tessa.

“I’m almost there.”

“Is he still following you?”