Page 21 of The Model

Instead of answering her, I finished off my margarita and looked at pictures of hotels in Vegas to try and find the right one.

After finishing off her burrito, Raine started to shift in her seat nervously. “I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I don’t want you to miss out on a great guy.”

Finally looking at her, I patted her hand. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it, but there’s no use in thinking about feelings and hormones when I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”

“He likes you. Of course, you’ll see him again.”

Raine really was naïve if she thought that. Ryder could easily find his soulmate when he got to Rio or his next location. “Let’s focus on what Mathers wants because if we pull this off, you’ll be getting a big bonus.”

Her mouth popped open and hung in an ‘O.’ “Thank you, Lexie. That would be wonderful. Then I wouldn’t have to have three roommates who annoy me to no end. I could probably have only one.”

Maybe I needed to give her a raise. I couldn’t imagine living with three other people, especially ones that got on Raine’s nerves since she was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met. Nothing seemed to bother her, and yet these people did.

Eating the last bite of my fajitas, I patted my stomach. “I think we should get out of here before I have too much to drink and have to leave my car to take an Uber.”

“I agree. I’ll just wait until I get home to make my own.” She sat up straighter in her chair. “That is if you don’t need me.”

“No, I’m good. I’ll probably be on the internet searching for venues all night.”

I paid the check, and Raine and I went our separate ways. She wanted to use the restroom before she had to drive home while I just wanted to get home. Maybe I’d swim a few laps in my pool before I got back to work.

Walking out to my car, I deleted all the emails that were trash and had started to read a new one from Mathers. They had given me a list of models they would like to see, but ultimately if I found better ones, to hire them. At least I knew what they were looking for. In the end, it would make my job easier.

As I was reaching for my car door, I was pushed to the side and pinned against the window by a hard body. “You’re going to give me my shit, or I’m going to fucking end you,” a familiar voice said above my head.

“Ben?” I tried in earnest to turn away until I felt something sharp at my throat. How had I been so wrong about him? Never in all our time together had he ever been violent. He was more of a lazy bum than anything else. “Why are you doing this? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been through all my things and didn’t find anything.”

“Don’t play stupid. I told you this was life or death. Now, I’m giving you twenty-four hours, and then I’m coming for you.”

“What are you looking for?” Maybe if I knew, I could get him out of my life once and for all, because after this I was never going to let him anywhere near me.

The knife he had to my throat dug in and I felt wetness start running down my neck and into my shirt. “I know you have my drugs, you stupid bitch.”

“Lexie?” Raine shrieked. I could hear her feet on the concrete as she ran toward us. “Someone call 911.”

I wanted to turn to her, but I couldn’t without the knife going in deeper.

“Fuck, you always mess everything up.” He pressed the knife harder, cutting a line down my throat before his rank breath was in my face. “Twenty-four hours for you to get me my stuff.”

The next thing I knew, I was falling to the ground as Ben ran in the other direction, and Raine was kneeling beside me.

“Oh my god, you’re bleeding.” Tears streamed down her face. “Don’t worry, the police should be here soon.”

I couldn’t feel anything, even though there was blood on the front of my shirt, my hands, and my knees. My head had hit the side of my car as I sat there waiting for something to happen with Ben.

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there until an ambulance and the police showed up. It was all a blur as I sat stunned and tried to answer their questions. They told me I was probably in shock and wanted me to go to the hospital to make sure I was okay. All I could do was nod.

I thought I heard a phone ring, but there was too much going on around me. Looking to my right, I saw Raine talking on my phone, but I had no idea who she’d be talking to at a time like this. When she was done, Raine came over and stood by my side, her face streaked with tears.

“How are you doing?” She barely got the words out, she was so upset.

“Fine, but they say I’m in shock. They’re going to take me to the hospital to check me out just in case.”

“Do you want me to come with you?

“I don’t know.” I shook my head. This all felt like a dream. I’d never been assaulted before, and now Ben had attacked me twice. This time he’d been waiting for me to come out of the restaurant. “Can you drive my car so you can take me home?”

“Of course, anything you need.”

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