Gypsy

Chapter 12

·Zara·

As I walk home, following my brief encounter with Adam, my mind drifts between focusing on my surroundings and the playfulness he'd displayed. That's new. I was beginning to think maybe he didn't possess a sense of humor, though admittedly this really was the first time I'd seen in him a situation that would allow for that sort of thing.

What surprises me most about everything that happened in front of the bar was his association with Micah. I haven't forgotten that guy's generosity, and it makes me wonder just a bit more about Adam. Surely someone with a friend like that can't be all bad, can he?

I cut down an alleyway and pop out on a dimly lit street, then walk quickly to the next alleyway. I'm only a couple blocks from the warehouse now, and as I get closer, I allow my mind to drift just a bit more. As it does, I let my focus on my surroundings slip.

At the mouth of the next alley, just as I'm pondering on the smile he'd flashed me after calling me stumpy, I realize my mistake. It comes in the sound of heavy boots running toward me. Without turning to look behind me, I take off at a dead run. I snag a trashcan as I fly past it, yanking it down behind me. It's crash bounces off the close brick walls, and then a louder crash immediately follows that one.

Someone curses loudly but I can barely hear him over the rush of wind over my ears and the pounding of my boots on the pavement. I hang a right once I clear the alley, then a left, and then I'm racing pellmell for the warehouse. I quickly slip through the door, dash across the massive room without slowing down, and then I'm throwing myself through the basement door.

I take the stairs two at a time and before I know it I'm slamming the door at the bottom behind myself. I stand before it a long moment, trying to will my heart to slow. But it's pounding in my ears, threatening to explode from the adrenaline pouring through it. I lean over and place my hands on my knees then take long measured breaths until I finally have my lungs half in control again. 

As I start across the massive room on legs of rubber, I silently chide myself for being so careless. I haven't slipped like that in a long time. The last time had taught me a lesson I'll never forget. At least, I'd thought then I wouldn't. But tonight has shown me different. All it took was five minutes of distracted thought to put me in danger, and I'd been lucky to come back to my surroundings in time to recognize it.

When I reach my corner of the warehouse, I slip off my guitar then lay it down on the floor next to my pallet. I drop down beside it, pushing my damp hair off my forehead with one hand. Maddox is looking at me hard, and Andre's gaze isn't much different.

"What?" I finally snap, my irritation at myself briefly transferring to them.

"What happened?" Maddox asks, his tone guarded, his gaze intent on me.

"Nothing."

"Dammit, Zara, don't lie to me. What happened?"

I let out an angry breath then shake my head. I don't know why he's getting pissy with me. He probably already knows. He's not new to any of this either.

"Someone was following me," I finally admit with a shrug.

Maddox merely nods his head but Andre releases a sound very close to a growl. I glance at him and the scowl that has carved up his face. In this light and with that look, I can see what he'll look like later in life, once this one has finally beaten him down. I frown at that. He's too young to look that old. But then, this place does that everyone eventually. 

Suddenly I'm more determined than ever to get not only myself out of here but my friends as well. I don't want to lose them the way we did Sadie.

I lay back on my pallet without another word to my friends, then I reach over for my thin blanket and pull it over myself. Rolling to my side, I turn my back on the eyes I can still feel watching me. I don't want them to worry about me, though I know they will. They're both protective as hell over me, the brothers I'd needed but never had growing up. As that thought pops into my mind, I shove it roughly away. There's no way in hell I'm going there tonight.