The Time Stoppe(14)

I’m at a loss for words. I didn’t expect him to say that. That’s the third time I’m surprised today. I really should Read people more if I don’t want these surprises, but it’s tricky because of my limited Depth.

“Here’s my card.” He hands it to me as if this is a normal business deal. “Call me if you need anything.”

I take the card. Then he walks to the door and lets his bouncers in.

“Take her to the hospital,” Victor tells the big guy who brought me here earlier. “Put the bill on my tab.” He looks at me after the bouncer nods. “I’ll be seeing you later, Ilona.”

Numb with shock, I let myself be herded through the club. There’s no sign of the guy I’d danced with. Oh well. It’s not like that would’ve been anything more than a one-night stand. I’m nothing if not realistic. There’s no room in my life for a relationship.



*



Patched up and tired as a dog, I take a cab from the hospital to my car.

As I watch the streets whiz by, I have a million thoughts running through my head. They fight with one another, but the one that keeps getting my attention is that I have to get away. Away from Brooklyn, away from gangsters, away from all this shit. I need to let things settle here.

It’s a smart idea, but what can I do? Where should I go?

Ideas pop up, then fizzle out. Should I visit Vegas again? No, I’d need a new set of IDs for that, since they’re onto me big-time in that town. Monte Carlo is still out of reach; my fake papers aren’t good enough for Europe.

As I get home and sneak into my room again, I realize that there is another place I could go. It’s closer, and there’s less heat for me there, even if it’s not that far distance-wise.

By the time I get into bed, I’m on board with my new plan. I’ll get a couple of nights of good sleep, get my stitches taken out, patch things up with Eugene, and then grab a bus to Atlantic City.

Has anyone been this excited about a trip to New Jersey before? I don’t know, and I don’t care. My world becomes all about the softness of my pillow as I fall into a blissful and much-deserved sleep.



The End