He comes up to me. “Only Leon was mysteriously late and coincidentally at the shoot-out, aiming at us.”
“Not atus.”
Declan smiles and my stomach wobbles. “At me.”
“No, I don’t think so,” I hedge, even though Leon told me that was the case and that Declan was a target.
“Cartels don’t take kindly to people who interrupt their work, and that’s exactly what I did at the truckyard.” He frowns as I pick up the pointe shoes I’m using for rehearsing. “What are you doing?
“I have rehearsal.”
For a moment he just looks at me like I’ve grown another head. “You don’t even want to dance.”
“Want’s got nothing to do with it,” I say. “I still have to go to rehearsal. It’s my job.”
“Stay here.”
“I can’t.” I don’t want to stay anywhere we had sex. Last night I wanted it, burned for it. Now I…burn in a different way. With shame that I opened up to him, shame that I wanted it, practically begged for it. Shame that I still want more.
His phone lights up and he reads a message, one I don’t see. Declan’s mouth sets in a line as he pockets his phone and heads to the door.
“Where are we going?”
“You’re going to rehearsal. I’ve got work to do.”
There’s a woman with dark blonde hair pulled into a ponytail who sits in on the rehearsals. I don’t know who she is, but it doesn’t take much to work out she’s somehow connected to Declan.
She’s pretty and she watches me in the kind of way that makes me feel a little naked, like she’s looking for something in me. But for some reason, I get the feeling I can trust her. And if she works for Declan, why can’t she be my prison guard?
But I know the answer to that. He’s no bodyguard, and he’s not about to let anything go until he uncovers whatever answers he wants.
He promised me my father.
My life is no longer my own.
My gaze shifts back to the woman. There’s something familiar about her, like I’ve seen her in passing, but I don’thave time to think too much on it as the next part of the day starts.
Finally, I stretch out with the others and Topher sinks down next to me. “You’re dancing like shit.”
“Thanks.”
He grins. “It’s true. You’re better than whatever that was, and you know you’ll be hearing about it.” Then his gaze slips to the woman, and he gives her a nod. “She’s an interesting babysitter.”
I gaze at him. “What makes you think that?”
“I know more than you think. Plus, your new husband walked in and she’s walking over to him.”
Sure enough, the blonde’s doing just that. She gives Declan’s arm a squeeze and keeps walking. I don’t know why, but something tells me a Murphy man’s not about to let any woman walk out unescorted, especially one who quietly stood out like a beacon.
Someone will be waiting for her, right outside the door. I’m certain of it.
Declan’s gaze sizzles my blood. He makes the world shrink and my libido soar. But the effect is crushed moments later when the director, Monty, walks over. He snaps a finger at Topher who stands and helps me to my feet.
“What are you doing?” I demand.
“Just what I’m told. Come on.” With that, he leads me like some kind of invalid over to Monty and a smug Declan.
“You should have informed me, you stupid girl. Go.” Monty turns his back, motioning Topher over to Amanda.
