Part 19 (1/2)

Fate gave me him.

Not once, but twice.

The first time, I didn't know the gift I held.

The second, I was too broken to deserve him.

FORBIDDEN FLAWS BY PEPPER WINTERS.

1.

”c.r.a.p, WHERE IS IT? Where is it?” I screamed, tearing around my dark hotel room.

When I'd arrived six hours ago, I thought the s.p.a.ce-s.h.i.+p shaped coffee table was fas.h.i.+onable, the thick ruffled curtains ideal, and the oversized walnut desk perfect. Now, I found them instigators to my demise.

”Dammit, where the h.e.l.l-”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The smoke alarm tore through my ears, just like it had torn through my sleep. My brain shredded with the noise.

Run, Saff. Leave it.

Common-sense told me to abandon my worldly possessions and save my life, but my heart didn't want to leave behind the eight hundred page script I'd just earned, or the freshly signed contract, solidifying my spot in an A-list movie in freaking Hollywood. They were priceless. They signified winds of change-of luck and happiness coming my way.

I won't leave them behind. I won't!

I ran blindly, wis.h.i.+ng like h.e.l.l that the lights worked. The room was pitch black, worse than a tomb or crypt because I wasn't dead yet, but might be very soon if I didn't run.

Tripping over a large slippery bag, I cried out as carpet burn singed my knees. My heart plummeted, remembering the insanely expensive, and not able to afford yet, shopping spree I'd indulged in. I'd had such fun...was it only a few hours ago? Shopping in the streets of Brisbane, spending money that I had yet to be paid, designing my new life based on recommendations by couture and Vogue.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

My stomach rolled. I had to stop being so stupid. None of this stuff would matter if I were dead.

Grab the laptop. Leave everything else.

Clambering to my feet, I inched as fast as possible with my arms outstretched and eyes completely useless in the dark. Where did I put it?

I fumbled over to the desk for my computer. The only thing with a lifetime of photos on it. The only thing left of my parent's smiling faces. I was such an idiot not to upload the images onto a secondary device while I had the chance.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The shrill siren tore through my determination, sending spiders scurrying down my back.

It was too late. I had to go.

I had to leave everything behind.

I gritted my teeth and shuffled as fast as I could through the foreign room. Colliding off the wall, my fingertips followed the corners and smoothness of the perimeter, making my way as fast as possible.

Beep. Beep. Beep!

Pa.s.sport!

s.h.i.+t. I stopped, my heart hurling itself against my chest at a hundred miles an hour. My pa.s.sport. Freshly minted and locked in the safe with my one-way ticket to Los Angeles. The hotel a.s.sured me it was the safest place for such precious items-now, it was my worst enemy.

Just leave!

Beep. Beep. Beep.

My lungs sucked in air, panic whizzing in my blood. The superficial part of me wanted to stay, to guard everything that poised me for a better life, but instinct finally roared into being, kicking my ridiculous b.u.t.t and propelling me toward the exit.

Beep. Beep. Beep!

I found the door and wrenched it wide, falling into the corridor.

I blinked. The lights were off; only the emergency exit sign cast its eerie green glow, illuminating the thick gold carpet and the gorgeous aboriginal paintings of the fourteenth floor.

There was no smoke, no flames or screams or burning.

Doesn't mean the building isn't on fire.

Trying to calm my breathing, I jogged down the corridor toward the glowing sign. My blonde hair bounced and tickled my exposed back with every step.

The closer I got, the louder the sound of pounding feet echoed in the stairwell. Glad to know it wasn't just me taking their sweet time to escape.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

G.o.d, I wanted to cover my ears-the alarm almost made my ears bleed from shrieking.

Yanking open the exit door, I darted down the first flight of uncarpeted stairs. The rough concrete stung the soles of my feet but now was not a time to be precious.

Grabbing the banister, I shot down the next flight, almost careening into a man dressed in boxers and a t-s.h.i.+rt.

He looked over his shoulder, his brown eyes immediately dropping to my chest.

I flushed with horror.

Oh, my G.o.d!

My underwear!

The man smirked, jogging down another few steps, never taking his eyes off my very s.e.xy, and entirely too revealing, lingerie.