Chapter 40

“Gabriela, wait!”

But I keep running—until I stumble and cry out as sharp pain shoots through my knee.

My heel snaps and I hit the curb.

A valet in a red jacket starts toward me. I turn. Marcus is rushing after me through the dark.

I get to my knees, because I can’t talk to him. Not now. Maybe never.

He has lied to me. Oh God, you lied to me.

“Gabriela!” he yells, and I push up from the ground, reaching for the valet’s hand.

“Damn it, Gabriela, wait!”

“Leave her alone!” Cass shouts. I turn my head and see her gripping Marcus by the sleeve. “Damn it, Marcus, let her go.”

I take the valet’s hand.

“Please, I need a taxi.”

“Of course.” He looks about seventeen and terrified. “Are you okay? Do you need help?”

“Just a cab. Please hurry.”

An empty one is already waiting, and the valet helps me in. I sink into the back seat, and as the car pulls out to merge into traffic, the last thing I see before I fold over is