Page 32 of Bloodlust

"How?" Leo shouts as I reach for the fob in my pocket and unlock my car. "You're not driving!" Leo rushes toward me. "Give me those!"

"No!" I shove him away, hopping into the car, my breathing ragged as I press the engine on. The tirescrunch under the gravel as I accelerate out of the warehouse.

Panic sets in.

What did I do?

What did I do?

What the fuck did I do?

I repeat the question over and over and over again as I drive through the empty roads. Why did I do that? Fuck's sake, why didn't I stop? Is he right? Is Leo right? Did I fuck it up? God, I fucked up. The Council. My father. The whole family. We need this. The Dragons. They'll get the contract. They can't have it. They can't!

I burst through the elevator into my condo and run to the liquor cabinet. Oh my God, what did I do?! I grab a bottle of vodka, twist off the cap, and take a long swig.

It's not helping.

More.

More.

I take another swig and another and another, my eyes glazing over.

Little girl. Princess. Whore.

That's how they see me.

That's how they'll always see me.

I stumble into the bathroom, hanging my head over the sink. I peer up, looking at my reflection. For nothing. He died for fucking nothing! You're nothing. You should've run. You should've left when he asked the first time!

Weak.

Naive.

Stupid!

"Shut up!" I wind my arm back and slam my fist into my reflection, the mirror shattering under the force. I whimper as blood streams down my knuckles, dripping on the counter, the floor, the carpet, everywhere.

I stagger out of the bathroom and look around my room.

I need a line. Fuck. I need something.

With blood dripping down my arm, I frantically empty all my purses and look for a vial.

Where is it? Where are you!

I reach for a clutch, dumping the contents out on the bed. A business card falls out. I blink, trying to read the print.

He was right.

He knew.

I reach for my phone, dialing the number. The line rings as I sink down on the floor and hold my hand up, drops of blood staining my floor.

"Hello?"

"You were right." A defeated slurring giggle slips past my lips. "I'm not a shark. I?—"

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