Then my vision was interrupted as both Trinity and Sara stepped in front of me. I let out a short gasp, finally falling back to reality, the ugliness of what had just happened shattering like the thin crystal of a dazzling glass cage.
“What the hell was that?” Sara half yelled. “Did he assault you?”
“Where did he take you? I wanted to call the cops,” Trinity added.
“He didn’t assault me, and you’re not going to call anybody,” I said, shoving away from them. I planned on ignoring his orders. He had no right to shove me around. This was a public location, for God’s sake. Fuck him. “We’re going to enjoy our night just like we planned.”
I sensed the two girls staring at each other.
“Let’s get another drink.” I headed for the bar, determined to toss the experience aside.
Sara grabbed my arm. “Come on. Talk to us.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I ignored them, finally making it to the bar.
“Cassidy. Please. Talk,” Trinity encouraged.
I remained quiet and they finally left me alone, but I could hear them talking about him, all the horrible things he’d done. Finally, after a few minutes, I couldn’t take it any longer, turning around and heading to the women’s bathroom. Suddenly, the reverberating beat was overwhelming, the hard thrumming in my ears matching the rapid beat of my heart. The entire experience had left me wanting more, which sickened me. Everything he did reminded me that he was a brutal killer and nothing more. It couldn’t matter about our connection, the hard pull of attraction that left me jittery.
I heard their voices behind me as I shoved my way inside, seeking a moment of peace to collect myself. After glaring at the four women primping, I moved toward the last sink, slamming my hands against the expensive granite, refusing to look myself in the mirror. I had to be out of my fucking mind to allow him to touch me, yet his caress had left me wanting more.
“You’re not getting out of this one,” Trinity hissed as both she and Sara confronted me, standing behind as if guarding me from the big bad wolf.
“Just leave it alone.” I turned on the water, my hands shaking as I slipped them under the cold stream.
“Oh, no, you don’t. It looked like you knew him. Is that the man you met last night?” Sara’s tone was accusatory, laughing seconds later when I didn’t answer her. “My God. You smell like sex.”
I threw her a hateful look. “Stop worrying about me. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”
“Oh, my God. You did fuck him. You’re insane. Did you know before you…?” Her voice was hushed, nervous.
“Like I said. Let. It. Alone.” I splashed water into my face, still unable to control my breathing. When I reached for a paper towel, I finally glanced at my reflection. Jesus. I was glistening as if I’d just had the best sex of my life.
“What did he say to you?” Trinity demanded.
I patted my face, the shaking continuing, the hard rush of adrenaline now draining every ounce of strength. Even my teeth chattered from the experience. What the hell was wrong with me? “That we should leave.”
“Oh, God. That means he has a score to settle. We need to get out of here.” Sara pulled away, shaking her head several times. “You know what’s going to happen.”
“Not in the middle of his club,” I stated, as if I knew what the hell he was preparing to do.
Suddenly, Trinity’s touch was softer, her tone of voice the same. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. None of us need to be involved. Okay?”
I thought about her request then finally nodded. She was right, of course. I was playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette, and I’d already fired four shots. “Fine. Just don’t ask me any questions. Wait outside.”
“Are you kidding me? Not a chance,” Sara huffed.
“Do it. I’ll be right there. You’re right. I need to end this now but it’s going to be done my way. He’s not going to hurt me so go outside and I’ll be right there.”
I pushed ahead of them, moving into the crowd blindly, my heart aching for no reason. None. It was stupid to give a shit about the man, but something inside of me had broken free, all rational thoughts shoved aside.
I wasn’t entirely certain they were following me. Then again, my mind remained a crazy blur of thoughts, trying to reason why I’d allowed him to drag me onto the dancefloor in the first place. He was supposed to be an enemy, a man whose sordid life I’d expose onto the pages of a newspaper. Instead, he’d become my kryptonite, impossible to ignore.
Was I really prepared to say goodbye?
Yes, I was.
And good riddance.