Page 93 of Hushed

At the door, she asked the security guy who insisted on following her up to wait outside. “I don’t know what happened to her, and a scary-looking man is the last thing she needs in her apartment right now.”

He looked skeptical, but he nodded his agreement and stood back as she pushed the door open.

Maggie ran into her arms and sobbed.

“Tell me what happened, Mags,” Kenzie said as she held her friend.

“I fucked up bad,” she choked out.

“What do you mean you fucked up bad? What happened?”

She pulled away and wiped her nose. “I think I’m pregnant.”

Kenzie lifted an eyebrow. “When? How? When did you start dating?” Maggie wasn’t a one-night stand kind of girl. If she slept with someone, it was a big deal.

“I didn’t. I’m not. But I was out a few weeks ago, and I blacked out. But I thought little of it. It’s happened before. I was sore though… down there.”

Kenzie’s stomach flipped. “Are you saying you got raped?”

She let out a sob. “Something like that. I’ve been scared to leave the apartment, but I’ve also been scared to be here. This is where I woke up. And I have no memory of who it was.”

“Come on. Pack a bag. You’re coming to stay with me for a few days until we sort this out.”

“I can’t impose on you like that. Aren’t you dating someone now?”

Kenzie waved a hand. “Don’t worry about that. He doesn’t live here, and he’s in D.C. right now.”

Maggie nodded. “OK. If you’re sure. It’s been awful being here alone like this.”

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?”

She shuddered and shook her head. “I was scared. Confused. It took me forever to talk myself into calling you.”

“I’m glad you called. Can I help you pack?”

“I’ll just grab a few things.”

Kenzie nodded and pulled out her phone to call Gage. He answered on the second ring.

“I don’t like you being in that part of town, babe.”

“Well hello to you, too.”

“Sorry. Is everything OK?”

“No. Maggie is having a rough time. I can’t give you details because they aren’t mine to give, but she’s scared of being here, and she’s going to come back to my place for a couple of days. Is security going to give me grief about that?”

Gage let out a long slow breath. “I’ll smooth the way for you.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m sorry I had to rush off like that.”

“You were needed. I get it. But I miss you. I can’t wait to see the surprised looks on people’s faces when I show up with you tomorrow night.”

She laughed. “You’re so funny sometimes. I can’t wait for that either.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a long minute before he cleared his throat. “I should get back out to the party before people miss me. Be a good girl and listen to your security. I don’t want to punish you on your first night here.”

Her entire body came to life at the idea of him punishing her, and an involuntary whimper escaped her, making him chuckle.

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