was long gone.
And no one would be looking for me because I had no one.
The monster and his goons likely knew I’d get lost and die, taking care of their problem without them having to lift a finger—or a gun.
I was stuck alone in the middle of the desert with bugs, wild animals, and God knew what else.
After a few minutes, I found out what else. Because as I sat, something moved over my foot.
No, it didn’t move.
It slithered.
Slowly.
Purposefully.
And stealthily.
I hadn’t even noticed it’d circled me until it was too late. Until I was surrounded by its long length.
Freezing, my breath caught in my lungs as I clenched my jaw to keep from screeching.
Even if I were uninjured, it was unlikely I could get away before the snake attacked. Being injured pretty much sealed it. How could I run if I couldn’t even stand?
I couldn’t.
Slow and cautious, I reached behind me for the jagged rock that’d gotten me into that mess. Once I had it, I felt for the sharpest point. I strained to see in the dark, but when I was fairly certain I saw the head, I slammed the rock down.
The snake let out a horrid, pained hiss and I let out a sobbed scream before hitting it again. And again. Even though my heart ached, I slammed the rock one last time, assuring it was dead.
Dropping the rock, I quickly scrambled away before scavengers came for both of us. Once I’d scooted enough to put some distance between me and my reptilian victim, I got control of my emotions as I racked my brain for a plan.
I couldn’t just sit around and wait. There was no rescue coming. An hour of rest wouldn’t make a difference to my ankle, but it would increase my chances of another predator discovering me.
And, that time, I might not be so lucky.
That left one option.
I had to crawl.
Moving slow, I ignored the coarse sand digging into my palms, the bugs relentlessly attacking, and the pain in my ankle. I wasn’t making good time, but I was moving, and that’s what mattered.
Always pushing.
Always fighting.
Always trying to survive.
I was so damn tired of it.
Why did I run?
Lost, scared, and in pain, a sob ripped through me as regret clawed at my chest.
I left behind a gorgeous room, three delicious meals a day, and zero responsibility… for what? To make it on my own like I always have? To barely survive?
Because I wasn’t here by choice, being homeless was somehow better?
Shaking my head, I reminded myself that I didn’t know what they’d planned to do to me. They could’ve been traffickers or pimps—a huge industry in Vegas. I wasn’t sure why they’d have fed me and set me up in a beautiful room, but who knew how monsters worked.
And he was a monster. A murderer.
It didn’t matter that Shamus was an asshole who’d been horrible to me.
It didn’t matter he’d deserved worse than a quick death.
All that mattered was Maximo was capable of murder, and that meant I needed to get away.
Right?
I only made it a short distance on my hands and knees before a cramp tightened my stomach, stealing my breath and ability to move. I rolled to sit on my ass, keeping an eye on my surroundings.
I’m gonna die out here.
Alone.
Always alone.
Once my cramp subsided, I started crawling again.
But not forward.
No, I crawled in the direction I’d come from. Toward where I wanted to be. For all I knew, I was going sideways, heading farther into the desert, but I didn’t care.
My arms shook with the strain of supporting my weight. My cuts were coated in sand, burning and tearing at the already painful wounds. My skin was covered in itchy bug bites. My sides hurt, my knees felt like they were going to shatter, and my clenched stomach was set to a constant growl.
I’d kill for one of Mr. Freddy’s trays right now.
Using the image of a fluffy omelet and coffee to drive me on, I started crawling faster until I reached the small patch of Joshua trees I’d rested by earlier.
I’m going the right way. Maybe I’ll actually survive the night.
My progress was cut off suddenly when my knee came down on something sharp. It pierced my already raw skin, stabbing in so deep, it felt like it embedded in bone
“Shit,” I hissed. I fought to be strong, but each time I put weight on it, the pain grew. I sat on my ass and pulled my muddy leggings up.