Page 78 of Misted

I don’t miss how the shop girls giggle in French and bat their eyelashes at him. I might have made their jobs harder by trying every dress and re-arranging whatever my hands fell on.

He pays for all my purchases with his international, untraceable credit card. In one of the shops, I feel strong enough to walk and even jog for small distances. It’s my perfect opportunity to make that phone call.

I ask the shop girl for her phone so I can search for mine. She doesn’t hesitate to give it. Since I left Hawk at the cashier, I sneak from the dressing room, carrying an H&M bag to hide my face with.

Once I’m outside, I dial Molly. She picks up after two rings.

“International French number. Mist?”

“Yeah.” My gaze watches my surroundings. It won’t be long before Hawk notices I’m missing. “Is everything okay around there?”

Molly goes on to tell me that Hawk killed Poison’s disciple that attempted to assassinate me and that he might or might not be the reason behind Croft’s change of tactic regarding Le Salon.

My head is in a mush when Molly finishes talking, but I don’t have the time to ask for further details.

“Jessica and Sarah?” I ask.

“They’re fine.” Molly huffs. “Just tell me where are you exactly so I’ll come get you.”

“That’s not important right now, Molls. I need Ink out and you’re the only one I can trust with this.”

“I’m your man or woman or whatever.”

Through the shop’s window, I spot Hawk talking to the girl who gave me her phone.

“Shit. I’ve got to go, Molly.”

I hang up before she says anything. I jog back to the shop when something harsh stabs into my side.

A shadow sprints ahead with the bag. I hold my side and fall to the pavement on my knees.

Hawk’s growling face is the last thing I see before everything turns into a fog.