Addicted To Her Scent

the tequila glass in my hand, staring at it like it was some sort of poison. For a moment, I co

ed the space. Couples were pressed close, their movements synchronized to the rhythm, while others leane

or not?" the bartender

nded, setting the gla

me and asked me to give it to you. T

impossible to pick out anyone specific in the sea of faces. Whoever had sent the

lass away. "I'

th my growing unease. I pulled out my phone again and dial

e," I muttered

, but she wasn't the type to drag me out to a place like this

thick with the stench of alcohol and sweat, and the flickering neon lights only added

, though my voice was

n sunglasses lingered in my mind. Was he

dimly lit hallway leading to the restrooms and a door marked "Private."

again, stepping

t wrong, but I couldn't turn back now. If Debbie was behind that doo

uch and a coffee table littered with empty bottles. A single dim

led again, my v

espo

t the faint smell of cigarettes lingered in the air. On the coffee table, ther

for it. Unfolding the paper, I

ah. You don't w

at the note. Who had written t

l around. The door was closing, and a

" a deep voice asked,

ing. "Where's Debbie?" I demande

red figure dressed in black. His face was partially obscured by

y, leaning against the doorframe. "B

n cold. "Wh

yes that seemed to see right through me. "Let's just say I'm

anger and fear. "If you'

ebbie's fine for now. But if you want to kee

t?" I demanded,

nctively backed away until my legs

a lot of money. People who aren't as patient

. "Debbie doesn't o

little sister has a knack for getting herself in

I asked

t onto the table. "That's the amount she owes. Pay it off, and she's

as I saw the number. It was more money

an come up with this," I said,

You have one week, Dinah. Af

aving me alone in the room with the not

mind racing. Debbie had gotten herself into some

r and anger. How could she have been so reckless? And

ear: I couldn't

phone and dialed

she answered, her voi

voice trembling. "It's Debbie

ng to get you," Jessica

up, my hands shaking as I slid

e feeling that this was only the beginning. Whatever mess Debbi