“Okay, I don’t know what this is,” she says, twirling her finger around in a small circle in front of her, “but I’ll allow it. I’ll expect a full report of the interview on my desk, of course. I’ll escort Ms. Keenan to the staff room to wait for you.” She takes a step back and then pauses, a sinister smile playing across her lips. “Oh, and Riven, I wouldn’t do anything stupid if I were you,” she says, walking out of the room.
We get through the rest of the photo ops. The whole time, my mind is on the pretty redhead who I know is in the staff room waiting for me. As soon as we’re done, I head to the back door to go to her. Callum stops me.
“So, Wanna explain what’s going on?” Callum deadpans.
“Dude. Are you banging that hot redhead reporter girl you told us about?” Raithe jokes.
Kai walks out of the bathroom now, late to the conversation. “Where ya going, man? I thought we were all going to grab food after this.”
I pause with my hand on the doorknob, turning back to face them.
“No, Raithe. I’m not fucking her. Get your head out of the gutter for once. And yes, Cal, I will. I promise. But not rightnow. Just trust me, okay? I’ll meet you guys at the restaurant after, Kai.” I open the door and walk out without giving them the chance to argue.
I make it to the staff room in a few strides and walk in. Sloane straightens, head snapping to me as she pockets her cell and stands. Her cheeks flush a light shade of pink as she trails her eyes over me. I’m still wearing my stage outfit, mask included. When I go to speak, I make sure to deepen my voice in disguise. It comes out gravely.
“Ms. Keenan.” I extend my hand and clear my throat. “Sit.” I motion to the sofa positioned behind her. She obeys, crossing one leg over the other and pulling a pen and notepad out of her cross-body bag. She begins writing something at the top of a blank page.
“Look, I know you were told to wait in here for an interview, but I think that you might be in danger.” That gets her full attention. She looks up, eyes wide with panic.
“Danger? From who, you?” she spits out. She’s trying to look unbothered, but the repeated clicking of her pen is giving her away. It’s also getting on my last nerve. I snatch it out of her hand and toss it over my shoulder. Her pretty mouth opens on a gasp before she snaps it shut and fixes a furious glare at me. I knew she was hiding that fire somewhere. Good, she’ll need it.
“No. Not me,” I say, although that could be fun. I scold my inner thoughts.Get back on track. This is not the time.
“Things are going on here that are hard to explain. I need you to come with me,” I say.
She looks utterly shocked, huffing out a sarcastic laugh. “You want me to just … come with you? Are you serious right now?” She doesn’t stand, and it pisses me off.
“I can explain once we get there. But we have to go.Now,” I grit out, tone laced with urgency. I take a step toward her, andshe stands, wiping her palms down the length of her shorts. She narrows her eyes at me.
“What are you doing? You weren’t going to … manhandle me out of here, were you?” She laughs sarcastically, not realizing that I wasdefinitelyabout to manhandle her ass out of here if she didn’t follow me.
“You would have liked that, wouldn’t you?” I tease.
I don’t know why I said it. Perhaps part of that personality disorder is rearing its ugly head again. I am so fucking glad I did, though. Because her cheeks flush that pretty shade of pink again.Shit.
I’m wondering what other parts of her are flushed when she looks at me and stutters, “N-No. Definitely not.” She straightens, head held high. She’s good at pretending, I’ll give her that. I can’t just keep my damn mouth shut, and I kind of enjoy seeing the red burning behind those green eyes.
So, I say, “Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep better at night, little nightmare.”
She looks positively infuriated now, and I hope she’s about to say something feisty. And as much as Ireallywant to hear it, we don’t have time. We have to leave now before Sabel makes it back to the headquarters and reviews the data from today.
“Follow me,” I say. She presses her lips into a thin line, scowling at me, but obeys.
Good girl.
12
Sloane
Little nightmare?
The words run through my mind as we head to who knows where to do who knows what. I don’t know why I followed this perfect stranger who’s wearing a freaking mask and cloak into this suspicious-looking, blacked-out Mercedes. I clearly have a thing for danger.
Something about Van made me want to follow him. That fucked up part of my brain that seeks darkness and mystery is cheering me on right now. That other logical part is on high alert. I can see the two of them facing off inside my head. I’m about to continue that inner battle when Van’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. It comes out deep, dark, and gravely. And although I know it’s to hide his true identity, it does something to me.
“Hey, change of plans. I need you and the guys to meet me at Nocturne,” Van says into his phone. Guys? He must mean the other band members. Or maybe it’sanothergroup of guys who are going to help torture and murder me. What if this has something to do with my father? Oh,God. There goes the logical side of my brain, again.
“Yes, I’ll explain when we get there. Something is up.” Van pauses. “She’s with me. See you there.” He’s sitting beside me in the back of the car, looking out of his window. I sigh, causing him to turn toward me.
