Finally, I make it to the hallway and see a sign for the restrooms.I hustle past a few random people who I don’t make eye contact with.Gaze down, just reach the destination.Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.
There.I step into a calming room decorated in peach and baby blues.The polished wood bathroom stalls stretch floor to ceiling.This is by far the nicest public restroom I’ve ever been in.
Someone comes in after me.I quickly duck into one of the stalls and lock the door.There, I breathe deeply in and out.Keep it together.Keep it together.Present Leah has to calm down so she can go out there with a happy face.Future Leah can cry and kick Dmitri’s ass—maybe not in that order, or maybe simultaneously.
After a few minutes, the main door to the restrooms opens and closes.I think the second person left, but I didn’t hear her heels on the floor, so maybe this is someone new who came in.Doesn’t matter.I’m ready to go back to the party—or as ready as I’ll ever be.
My face is probably still red.I hate that it gets this way when I’m upset.I’ll pat some water on my heated skin to cool off.
I step out of the stall.Water on the cheeks.Then I’ll be ready to face the party once more.
Instead, I’m faced with none other than Nicola Johnson.
She sees me and smirks, then reaches behind her and locks the door.
19
Gage
I arrive much later than I’d planned, trying to avoid the crush of cars surrounding the hotel.Parking was a feat of strategy and patience.
Approaching the rear of the hotel, I find an open door.Staff are coming in and out, taking out garbage and having their smoke breaks.A tall man in a dark suit leans against the wall.He makes note of my movement and stares me down.He’s a guard, obviously.
“Gage Jannik.”I hold up my ticket and ID.“I was told I can enter through the back.”
He nods.“Welcome to the party, Mr.Jannik.”
I go past him and into a large, industrial kitchen.Savory scents fill the air.A staff of close to thirty people bustles around open flames and sharp instruments.A Spanish ballad plays—a smooth counterpoint over the din.
Everyone is too busy to pay me much attention.I move quickly through, not wanting to get in their way.When I make it to the hallway, my phone buzzes.In case it’s a message from Leah or Dmitri, I check.
It’s from Dove Longshadow.I can deal with it tomorrow.I start to pocket my phone until I see the wordtonight.Heart sinking, I pull up the message app to read the full note.
I’ve been monitoring Nicola’s social media, as we agreed.Tonight, she’ll be at the same benefit you’re attending.A public confrontation is probably not her goal, but you may want to be careful.
I’m immediately wary.Less for my sake.More for Leah’s.I know how to handle Nic, but Leah was never part of that world and doesn’t know her like I do.It’s not that I think Leah incapable.However, she’ll be out of her element if Nic pushes a confrontation.
I put on speed, my stride eating up the floor as I make my way to the main hall.Before I can even enter, I spot Dmitri rushing out.I don’t have to ask what his angry, frantic expression means.
I shake my head in disbelief.“You lost her.”
“She fucking ran off.Upset.She’s probably hiding somewhere, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.”
“Did Nicola corner her?”
“What?”He stares in confusion.“Nicola’s here?”
I show him the text from Dove Longshadow.
“No, I haven’t seen Nicola.Fucking Christ.”He runs his fingers through his short, blond hair.“We have to find Leah.”
* * *
Leah
I back up until my shoulders hit the side of the toilet stall.
Her slinky, silver gown flatters the kind of body made for early 2000’s television: stick-thin and tight.It’s hard to see on the screen, but in person, Nicola Johnson is tiny.
