Page 60 of Bride By Initiation

I open my purse and pull out my phone.

Unknown: Go to the alley.

My chest tightens and my pulse increases. I leave the stall, wash my hands, and stare at my reflection. I take several deep breaths.

Maybe I shouldn't go.

I have to.

My phone buzzes again.

Unknown: Come alone.

It's now or never.

I exit the bathroom, move toward the exit sign, double-check that nobody's following me, and push open the door. I step out into the alley.

There's a man on a motorcycle. He's dressed in all leather and has a helmet on. He holds another helmet out to me. "Put it on."

"I'm in a dress," I state, glancing down at my black minidress and stilettos.

He grunts. "Make a choice. Do you want answers or not?"

I stare at him.

"Times a-ticking, sunshine. Three, two..."

I grab the helmet, put it on, and lift my leg over the bike's seat. My dress bunches to my waist, but there's no time to worry about it.

He takes off as soon as I wrap my arms around him.

I lean into his shoulder and close my eyes. I hate motorcycles. Dad warned me to stay off of them, claiming they were dangerous. Pina and Tristano Marino got into an accident on one, and she lost her memory for a while. It happened before Dad entered my life, but he didn't have to warn me too much to convince me to stay off bikes.

Thankfully, we only go several blocks. He pulls into a parking garage, and I'm relieved. But then, I realize we're next to a blacked-out SUV. The door opens.

Another man orders, "Get in."

My uneasiness reignites. Yet I don't question anything. I slide inside and shut the door.

The window between the driver and the back seat is closed. The driver accelerates, and I turn toward the man.

He has dark hair, and sunglasses cover his eyes. He reeks of danger, and everything about him makes me shudder. A scar runs from under his sunglasses to his ear, and it looks fresh.

He scowls at me.

I blurt out, "Who are you?"

"Matt Johnson."

"Another common name, which means it's not your real one," I mutter.

His lips press into a thin line.

I glance out the window as we pull out of the parking garage. The SUV increases speed, and we race down the side streets faster than we should.

"Where are we going?" I question, my heart beating against my chest.

"You'll find out," Matt states.

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