Page 100 of Unbidden

I pull Beth to the side the moment she steps into the kitchen. “Family emergency. I have to go. I’m so sorry.”

I don’t wait for her response, already calling a cab before I’m out the door. It takes ten agonizingly long minutes, but when the cab finally pulls up, I hop in, giving him the address before handing him forty dollars, asking him to get me there as fast as possible.

The driver must be able to tell I’m not social, because he turns up the music, leaving me to my thoughts.

What seems like forever but is more likely fifteen minutes later, we pull up outside a two-story house with people spilling out the front door. It’s obviously a party with dozens of people inside. My heart clenches at the thought of Tinsley being drunk, surrounded by people she doesn’t know.

Where the hell is Victoria?

As I make my way through the front door, I don’t recognize anyone at the party. My mind is racing as my eyes frantically scan the faces I pass, going from room to room.

I’m almost to the kitchen when I spot a familiar face. I scowl as I recognize Ingram, but I figure she may be able to tell me if she’s seen Tinsley. That is, if she doesn’t want to be a bitch.

Mind made up, I stride up to her.

“Ingram, have you seen Tinsley?”

She turns to me, losing her smile. “What? Don’t tell me you lost little Yates. Reed might kill you for that.”

She throws her hair over her shoulder, intending to go back to her conversation, but I grab her arm, spinning her to face me once more. “This isn’t a game. Have you or have you not seen her?”

I catch a glint in her eyes before she sighs. “I saw her go upstairs. Here, I’ll take you since you’re obviously too blind to find her by yourself.”

She rolls her eyes at her friends but pushes past me, making her way to the front of the house. Once we reach the stairs, she starts ascending, but something catches my eye in the other room.

I glance back, trying to see what caught my eye, but it’s gone.

“Are you coming or not? I don’t have all night to play babysitter with your dumb ass.” Ingram is several steps above, impatiently tapping her fingers on the railing as she waits for me.

Shaking my head, I make my way up the stairs, following her to the second-story landing. It’s obvious that this is an “off-limits” area. There isn’t one single person down the long hall, and all the doors are closed.

My heart stops.

What if she’s with someone behind one of these doors? Worse, what if she’s not a willing participant?

“Which room?” I surge forward, moving to the first door.

“I think I saw her go into the last room on the right. It has an attached bathroom. She looked a little green.” Ingram wrinkles her nose as if the thought disgusts her.

“She looked sick so you thought you would leave her alone? What if she chokes on her vomit or gets raped? Are you that heartless?” I scream the last words at her, my worry for Tinsley taking over my sanity.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Little Yates is no longer my concern, not that she ever was. Reed devalued himself by getting with you, taking him out of the running to rule this world with me. Looks like Sterling Brooks will have to do. It’s a shame really. Reed is gorgeous.”

She looks at her nails as she delivers the last line, feigning disinterest. Internally I roll my eyes at her dramatics. She would take Reed in a heartbeat, but he wouldn’t take her. Even if I couldn’t have him, I knew I could take solace in the fact that she couldn’t either.

“Whatever you say. I’m checking on Tinsley. Feel free to leave.”

I don’t wait for her response, heading straight to the door she indicated. Twisting the knob, I sigh when I realize it’s unlocked, then cringe when I think of who else might’ve slipped into the room. As I open the door, I notice the bathroom light is on, casting a soft glow over the darkened bedroom. I take a couple of steps in, allowing my eyes to adjust to the new lighting.

“Tinsley? Are you in here?”

I take two more steps before something pulls me back. All breath whooshes out of me as a strong figure grabs me from behind, crushing my body to theirs. I go to scream, but a hand immediately clamps over my mouth.

“Shut the fuck up, you dumbass whore,” a male voice spits in my ear.

My mind starts flipping through every memory I have, trying to place the voice that I’m certain I’ve heard before.

“A little help here?” he says as I continue to thrash, attempting to break his hold.

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