Page 96 of Ravage
Dane looks up from his desk with a scowl directed at the door.
I give it an hour before I head out myself.
Kellan isn’t the only one seeking answers tonight.
Chapter twenty-four
Raegan
Hype is packed by the time I get back. I’m ragged and worn with blood still spattered on my clothes and now soggy as well. The storm must have rolled in soon after we got to the safe house, because it was raining the entire way back. Thankfully, my stalker shadow was nearby after only a few minutes in the freezing rain, and then the rain simply fell around me for the rest of my walk.
I force my way up to the bar and almost collapse against it. “Porsh!” I groan aloud before the music in the room swallows it up.
She appears like a damn fairy godmother in her colorful skirt and netted top, all covered in glitter. On her back are sheer purple butterfly wings. One might think it would look silly in a nightclub, but the outfit brings it all together and she pulls it off.
“Rae?! What happened? Are you okay? You look terrible!”
I huff from where my chin is resting on my arm on the counter. “Gee, thanks friend.”
She squats so we’re face-to-face and studies me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Panic flares in my chest, and I squash it back down. None of that.
“I did,” I mutter. I can’t think about him right now. I need to forget everything that happened tonight. Just enough so I can get some sleep and then I’ll figure shit out in the morning. I know if I try to sleep now, though, I’ll only wind up trapped by nightmares.
“I don’t want to talk about it now. I need drinks. Lots of drinks. Shots.”
Portia smiles and strokes my hair. It’s not in a condescending way like I feel it would be with others. It’s warm and sweet. “I’ve got you, Rae Rae. We’ll get you fixed up.”
She turns and shouts down the bar. “Ethan! Give my girl that cheeseburger you just brought back!”
“I don’t want to take his food,” I mumble, and she runs her fingers across my head again.
“Come on. I have a change of clothes in the back you can use to clean up.” Portia brings me back to the employee room and helps me change and fix my hair and makeup so I don’t look like a wet, bloody mess anymore.
Once we’re back out to the bar, she brings me to a spot where a plate of food is waiting for me. My stomach growls when the smell hits me.
“Wow, what happened to you?” Ethan asks worriedly.
I lift my head and frown, tucking hair behind my ear. “You’re really making a girl feel good about herself, Ethan.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Just…are you all right?”
“I’m alive and here, aren’t I?”
And isn’t that the truth? I should count my blessings for that right now. For Jackson showing up in time.
Ethan knocks his knuckles on the counter. “Well, let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.”
I force a smile that I’m still not ready to feel on my face and nod. Then I shovel in my burger like I haven’t eaten all day. Wait, maybe I haven’t.
Portia gets back to taking orders until my plate is cleared of the large cheeseburger and fries and then returns with an entire tray of shots. “Let me know if you want me to walk you back to your room once you’re sufficiently trashed.”
“I’ll be all right. The apartment’s just upstairs,” I say, and she laughs.
“We’ll see. Have some fun, girl, so you can fill me in on everything tomorrow.”
I take the shots one after another, flipping the glasses over each time one is emptied. I lose count of how many I’ve done, but once the warmth of liquor slides under my skin like a blanket and bees begin to buzz in my head, I know I’m good.
