“Enjoy,” Shelby says, before walking out of our booth.
We both look at the table and then at each other, smiling. Lydia grabs the bottle and pops it in one swift turn. Before filling up our glasses, she takes a sip straight from the bottle.
“Ahhh. I love VIP,” she says, looking at her champagne glass like it’s a long-lost lover. I grab my glass and take a sip, the ice-cold tingling sensation hitting the back of my throat and causing my eyes to burn.
“I do love a cold glass of champagne,” I say back.
? ? ?
We sip on our champagne for the next twenty minutes or so, chatting about some of her most recent clients. She has so many stories from working with high-profile clients in the city. Like she always tells me, “They’re some prestigious bitches, but they pay well.” She’s going on about one of her recent clients when the lights overhead dim, and the stage lights come on.
Reverb walks out, and the crowd cheers. This VIP crowd seems more controlled than the first two. A part of me wonderswhether that’s because it’s an exclusive crowd or because they’ve altered the frequency for it. I feel the hair on the back of my neck rise, and I find myself scanning the room like someone is watching me. When I don’t see anything amiss or any threatening-looking blonde women, I refocus my attention to the center stage.
Van stands there, his large hands that once held my throat encircling the mic stand. He’s wearing his usual beautiful stage mask and black cloak. Tonight, he’s wearing a looser-fitting pair of black pants that leaveverylittle to the imagination. I swallow. His pants are tucked into a pair of lace-up shoes that reach to mid-shin. His legs are parted a little further than hip width. When I bring my gaze back up to his mask, he’s staring right in my direction.
21
Riven
I woke this morning in bed with my arm around Sloane. It would have been easy, effortless even, to remain there until she woke. But something inside of me pushed and clawed until I peeled myself away from her and left. I left without a single word, text, or call. A part of me feels bad about that. The part that longs for someone to tame the darkness inside of me, to carve it away until it no longer exists. I’ve never felt closer to the light than when Sloane is by my side. The thing about the light, though, is that sometimes it’s fuckingblinding. The other part of me would prefer to release her from my enrapture. After all, the darkness is no place for a person like Sloane.
I saw the way her impulses were so easily blending with mine. I saw the way she gave in to it for me. That’s exactly why I can’t pull her in any further. This thing inside of me would consume her light entirely. I am the shadow in the darkness thatis void of any real light. My instincts and impulses threaten to pull me down and entangle me. The two, like head and heart, stand at the ready for battle. Sloane will be the death of me, and I her. I cannot allow it. Iwill notallow it. So, that’s the real reason why I left this morning. I have to put an end to this.
? ? ?
After leaving Sloane’s apartment, I called up my “security guy” to schedule an installation for her. No one’s getting in again. I also sent a text to my private investigator to figure out who the fuck broke in, even though I have a hunch that I know exactly who it was.
I drove to meet the guys for lunch. Callum informed me that the VIP show is still on for tonight. Sabel and Sonus were considering canceling it, depending on the last frequency results. Since the results were good, though, the show is a go. I’m guessing phase two will commence tonight, and I’m entirely unprepared. I nearly forgot about it. I was too busy being distracted by Sloane’s perfect pussy in my mouth.
Fuck.
Every drop of blood in my body rushes straight to my cock, and I shove that thought into the deepest depths of my mind.
Apparently, we are doing an exclusive show tonight for our top fan base. They’ve determined the top fans through the vital trackers and the emotional responses of each attendee. Sabel said that Sonus will be using a “special” frequency tonight to test the next theory they are working on. Since the guys and I are kept in the dark about the specifics of most of their theories, the only thing we were told is that the crowd’s behavior may change at some point. And if it does, we are to keep doing what we’re paid to do …perform. It’s all such bullshit, and I know all theguys are getting sick of it. We need to come up with a plan to dismantle this before it goes too far.
Kai filled us all in on his therapy sessions. He said everything is going well. He still gets the urge to use every once in a while, but told us that his therapist gave him her number to call anytime he feels out of control. I didn’t miss the way he smiled and laughed when he spoke about his therapist. I hope that poor girl knows what she’s in for. Kai can be quite persuasive, manipulative even, when he wants to be. I hope he’s respecting her professional boundaries. Then again, who the fuck am I to talk?
Raithe went on and on about this girl he’s “banging,” and we all begged him to shut the fuck up. That dude has got a serious sex addiction. He’s probably certifiable. What’s the cure for a sex addict, anyway? Don’t get me wrong, I like sex as much as the next guy, but Raithe has his cock inside a new chick every week. And I’d prefer to have justone. One with pale freckled skin, red hair, and green eyes that can see through souls.
Nope. No, no, no.
Why does Sloane not stay where I put her? I think to the me inside of my head that’s supposed to be standing guard at the locked door that I shoved her into in my mind. Whatever hold she has on me, I have to sever it. I pull out my cell and shoot her a text from Professor Riven before I lose the nerve. Not a phone call, because I need her to hate him. I need her to hateme.
Riven:Hey, look. I hate to do this like this, but I think we should maintain professional boundaries from now on. I’m sorry. I scheduled a security company to come install a system at your apartment so that you don’t have to worry about any future break-ins.
Sloane:……
The dots appear and then disappear a few times. An hour goes by with no response from her. Objective achieved. I don’t allow the thought another second to plant doubt in my mind. I lock it up in that closed door in my mind.
? ? ?
After lunch with the guys, we all went our separate ways until it was time to meet back up for the VIP event. Now we’re all here, waiting to hit the stage. This venue is different, smaller. I’m unable to get a read on the crowd like I usually do. It makes my skin crawl with unease.
“Hey, man, you good?” Raithe asks.
“Yeah, just never know what Sabel has up her sleeve, ya know?” I lie. I could give a fuck less about what Sabel has up her sleeve, or anywhere else, for that matter. I shiver at the disgusting thought. What I care about is being in control of my surroundings. And right now, I feel out of control.
“I know. But hey, we got each other. We’ll handle anything she throws at us.” He slaps me on the shoulder. Ever the optimist. My polar opposite in every way.
