Page 22 of Save Me

“Don’t worry.” Arch pauses what he’s doing to look at the other guys. “If you’re lucky I might just share my winnings with you.” He winks at me, and I recoil in response.

“But first, a celebratory cigar.” The guy’s attention stays on him as cigars and lighters are passed around, and I find myself standing up quietly, vodka in hand. I walk to the bedroom, shutting the door behind me as laughter echoes throughout the apartment.

I walk to the window, placing the bottle of vodka under my arm as I open the pane slowly. I stare out at the water as it shimmers under the night sky. I’m out of plans, out of a way toescape, and between the shallow lake below or the depravity on the other side of my door, I think I know which I would prefer.

I bring the bottle to my lips, taking a few deep sips, and my eyes water in response to the burn. I look down at the water below, trying to gauge the distance, unsure of what it would feel like to fall from so high—if I would feel the same hopelessness and dread as I did when Tanner stepped into my room that night, or if I would feel a rush of something else, exhilaration or contentment maybe. I place the bottle down beside me and sway as I grip the window ledge with my hands, leaning out even further. I want to leave, want to fight my way out and run far, far away from here, but there’s no fight left in me. My shoulders sink at the realization, that the fire within me has been extinguished.

What would Jax think of all this?I question silently. Even if I do make it out of this place, whether Rhett makes good on his word to let me leave or I run away, I’m not sure I could face him after everything that’s transpired, disgusted by my own failed escape attempt and being too cowardly to try again.

I take a shaky breath, gripping onto the windowsill even harder as I peer at the water below.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

I jump at the sound of Bryce’s voice, so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn’t hear him walk up behind me. As I spin towards him, I knock the bottle of vodka over, and it hits the floor with a crash.

“Wouldn’t do what?” I ask quietly.

“You know what,” he responds gently, a knowing look in his eyes. “The water isn’t deep here, so if you did jump, it would probably be the last thing you do.”

I look back out the window, wiping away the tears that well in my eyes before looking back at Bryce.

“So, I guess that’s it then, huh?” I question with a sad laugh. “I’ll just throw myself to the wolves and call it a night?”

Bryce rubs a hand over his face. “No, I don’t think you should do that either. And to be honest, I don’t even know how things escalated like this.” He sighs. “You were supposed to stay here until Rhett got paid, and that’s it. That’s the plan Tanner and I agreed to, though, as you can probably tell, I don’t think there’s much Tanner would say no to.”

I look back out the window, unsure of how to respond.

“I think it’s time to get you home, Evi.”

“How?” I stammer, unsure if I’m hearing him correctly, unsure if I can trust him.

“There’s a perfectly good front door, so let’s go.”

“You’re going to help me? You’re willing to risk it? Why now?” I glance at him, hope bubbling in my chest despite my hesitation.

The conflict is apparent on his face as his brows crease together.

“Because I’m tired of sitting by and watching this shit… I didn’t agree to see you treated like this… I don’t agree with it.”

“And if this doesn’t work? Then what happens?”

“Guess we’ll find out.” He shrugs.

My chest is tight with worry, but the vodka in my system gives me a dose of courage I didn’t have before.

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

A grim smile is all Bryce gives me before walking toward the door. I follow behind him, close on his heels, as my heart beats wildly in my chest.

Voices and laughter fill the room, the others sitting where I left them. The air is thick with smoke as they bring cigars to their mouths, their drinks now almost completely empty.

For a minute I think it’s going to work, my quiet footsteps trailing behind Bryce as we walk past the guys, aiming straight for the front door.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” Arch’s voice rings loudly over the chaos.

I freeze in response to his voice, and I swear my heart stops beating as fear holds me in place.

Bryce turns to Arch casually. “Taking her home… where she belongs.”

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