The middle aged man lunged at Scarlett, the boning knife aimed directly at her. Her legs gave way; she stumbled backward, tripping on the steps. The man fell towards her. If he go her, she would be seriously injured or killed,
“Scarlett!” Chase yelled, his heart pounding, but unable
pounding, but unable to reach her in time. At that critical moment, a flowerpot tumbled from an upper–story window of Siren’s Call, striking the man on the head. He staggered. The club’s security guards rushed forward, tackling and subduing him.
Scarlett lay on the steps, her body aching, her tailbone numb; she couldn’t get up. “Scarlett!” Chase reached her, scooping her into his
Fears streamed down her face.“It hurts.”
Chase said, “It’s okay, we’re going to the hospital.”
arms.“Are you okay?*
The apprehended man yelled at her,“Scarlett! You can’t leave! You haven’t paid me! You said you’d protect me!”
Chase paused, his face darkening. A crowd had gathered, many recording the scene on their phones.
Anya looked at the man incredulously.“What are you talking about?”
The man frantically pleaded, “Don’t arrest me, don’t beat me! Scarlett said Anya stole her boyfriend and promised me a million dollars to teach her a lesson! She said she’d make sure I got away with it, so I did it!”
The onlookers erupted. This was a huge scandal! Two women fighting over one man was never old! And one of them hired the killer out of jealousy!
Chase’s grip loosened; he looked at Scarlett with cold disappointment. She slid from his arms, hér heart sinking like a stone. He didn’t believe her.
She tried to explain, “I didn’t do it.”
Anya nodded, her voice sincere.“Miss Taylor, I believe you.” Turning to the man, she asked, “This is impossible. I don’t believe you. Do you have proof?”
The man said, “We made the deal in the parking lot. The security cameras must have recorded
The truth hit Scarlett like a ton of bricks. She’d been set up.
Police cars arrived; a bystander had called 911. They were all taken to the station. In the police car, Scarlett saw a man in the window of the sixth–floor stairwell at Siren’s Call. It was the man she had sex with last night. Had he thrown the flowerpot to save her? At the station, Scarlett and the man gave conflicting accounts. What happened inside the club was deemed irrelevant; they weren’t ‘questioned about the details. Detectives went to the parking lot to retrieve security footage.
Chase sat beside Anya, his cold stare fixed on Scarlett. His attitude was clear. Scarlett, feeling stifled, went to the restroom. Her elbows and palms were scraped; washing them brought a fresh wave of pain. Her hair, neck, and t–shirt were covered in red paint, which was impossible to remove.
1.6%
danty
Anya entered, checking the stalls before washing her hands. She’d been well–protected by Chase And there were only a few paint splatters on her shoes. She smiled triumphantly at Scarlett’s reflection in the mirror.
“Look at you! Ew. Chase chose me over you when the chips were down. You were with him for three
he still doesn’t believe and years,
How does that feel? Good?”
Scarlett met her gaze in the mirror, saying nothing.
you,
Anya laughed dismissively.“Sweetheart, you’re naive and foolish. Do you think I did this for Chase?”
