Free Vengeance (SSU Trilogy Book 1) by Vanessa Kier Page A

confronted her. Although how he’d recognize her, she had no idea. Her coat collar was turned up so that between it and the bottom of her cap appeared maybe an inch of skin. Maybe he just thought she looked suspicious in a general way.
    He shot her another glance as he settled back at his table after visiting the men’s room. Jenna shivered. She’d barely sipped her drink tonight, terrified of having to use the bathroom. Just thinking about walking down that corridor again made her throat close up and her stomach cramp.
    Coward. What if Kai shows up in that hallway? Will you be too afraid to go after him?
    She shoved the table away and surged to her feet.
    How could she call herself an operator if she couldn’t face her demons? How was she supposed to survive long enough to get her revenge if she fell apart the first time she ran into trouble?
    To hell with being afraid. She strode toward the restroom. Of their own accord, her feet slowed as she reached the hallway. Walking the last few feet felt like pushing through molasses.
    She reached the place where she’d been pinned to the wall and her stomach lurched.
    Remember, you fought him off. You escaped. Focus on the positive.
    Inhale. Exhale. Push forward.
    Now she faced the door. The corridor was deserted. She took a deep breath. Reached a shaking hand forward…
    You can do this.
    And opened the door.
    The bathroom was empty, but her mind populated it with her attacker. Remembered the chill of the water and the suffocating feeling as her air ran out.
    Silver spots danced before her eyes and she threw a hand out, bracing herself against the edge of the door.
    She didn’t want to go inside. Thought she might fall completely apart if she had to.
    But how could she respect herself if she didn’t?
    Just two steps. That’s enough to prove you can do it.
    And she did it. Slid first her left, then her right foot into the room. She was sweating by the time she was done, but she stood fully inside, with the door closed.
    Her eyes darted from the sink, to the floor, and back.
    Tamp down the fear. The shame. The fury. Lock all emotions away. You survived. That’s what you do. You’re a survivor.
    Think strong.
    She forced herself to stay in the room for two minutes. To think about what had happened. To acknowledge and then accept that she’d gone over the line in the way she’d hurt her attacker.
    She’d be stronger next time.
    Then she allowed herself to leave.
    When she stepped out into the hallway, a figure to her left near the back entrance caught her eye.
    Jenna turned her head for a better view. And froze. A man with a stocking cap pulled low on his forehead walked almost timidly down the hallway toward her. His eyes were focused on the floor, denying her a chance to see his eyes, but her whole body stilled nonetheless. There was something familiar about the shape of the man’s head. Something familiar about the angle of his jaw and the way he held his body.
    Kai? Adrenaline poured into her system. Colors became brighter. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke became tangier.
    What she could see of the man’s face was thin almost to the point of gaunt. And he didn’t have Kai’s confident walk.
    But still, instinct had her stepping forward.
    The man sensed her presence and looked up.
    And Jenna found herself staring into a familiar pair of golden eyes.
    Kai!
    The scene canted to the left, as if she was on the pitching deck of a ship. When her equilibrium returned, the man—no, Kai!— had already spun around.
    He bolted back down the hallway and out an unpainted metal door.
    Jenna charged after him, then stopped just before setting foot into the alley behind the bar. She swiveled her head, searching for danger, searching for Kai.
    No one. Dammit, where was he?
    There! To her left, walking swiftly away.
    Jenna’s throat worked as she struggled to call out.
    She didn’t even manage a croak.
    Tears of frustration blurred her vision and she swiped them away. The