Page 7 of Creature's Vengeance
Truth.
I almost considered it when I heard someone getting sick in the women’s restroom. The sounds of their retching nearly made me gag. I tried to tune it out, but it wasn’t working. Even the music didn’t drown the awful groans and spitting. Yuck.
I left the line and returned to the dance floor, pushing through the crowd to reach the bar. Nick must have left. I didn’t see him.
The bartender ticked his head in my direction. “I heard about your friend.”
We came in here often enough that most of the staff knew us. “Yeah. It sucks, Tony. Even the news isn’t covering it as much anymore.”
He shook his head. “Sadly, it’s probably because something else equally terrible is happening. Vegas never shuts down even when the lights go off.”
He was right.
“I know. I’m not going to stop trying to find her.”
“Good for you. Just be safe, okay?”
“I will.”
He passed me bottled water, and I thanked him, slipping from the stool to head outside. The cooler air swept across my skin as I left the hot bar behind. The outdoor lights weren’t on yet, and I thought it was odd but sat at an empty table, taking in the Las Vegas Strip and all the hotels.
As I thought of Bells, guilt nearly overwhelmed me. I should have stayed with her or insisted she come to the room with me. When I woke up the following day and realized she was missing, I panicked. Everything only got worse from there.
We never should have gone to the party that night. Mateo Ruiz was trouble. I sensed it when his gaze swept over Bells and didn’t disguise his lust. There was a possessive glint in his eye and something else, almost sinister. I should have trusted my gut and convinced her to leave.
Instead, we spent the evening with Mateo and one of his closest friends, Angel Mackenzie. They both creeped me out a little.
“I heard you’ve been asking around about me.”
Oh. Shit.
The growly tone belonged to none other than Mateo Ruiz.
My head lifted, and his dark gaze settled on me. “Mateo.”
“Not an answer,Chica.”
“You know I’ve been looking for Bells.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Of course.”
“I met someone tonight who said he saw you at the hotel bar after the party with Bells. He said you left with her.”
Mateo shrugged. “That means nothing.”
“It means more than that,” I contradicted. “What happened to my friend? Where is she?”
He stepped toward me, a snarl lifting the corner of his lip. “You don’t ask me questions,puta.”
“I’m not going to stop looking for her,” I replied, refusing to be intimidated.
His hand slipped from his pocket, and he lifted it, examining his nails for a few seconds before he flung his hand back and then struck me across the face. Hard.
Shocked, I didn’t move. I couldn’t believe he actually slapped me.
Two bodyguards stood behind him and watched, doing nothing to intervene.
“Hurting me won’t silence me,” I warned him, touching my cheek and wincing.
