“Don’t ask,” I mutter.
He drops the bag, coming around the couch to join us. “Reagan threw a fit, didn’t she?”
I glare at him.
“Called it,” he says, amusement in his tone.
Ignoring him, I turn my attention back to Alex. “Since you’re back, I need all hands on deck tonight. Get cleaned up. We have a meeting with Giovanni Moretti at Wonderland down by the docks at midnight. Call Mac and have him put a couple guys on the door downstairs.” My gaze travels over to Liam. “You’re coming, too.”
Liam makes a face. “Are you sure that’s the best idea, considering we’re already on the Italians’ shit list?”
My jaw ticks, having already fielded this question from Mac. “No. But I want to fuck with the Italians some more,” I shrug.
Liam shakes his head. “This is a terrible idea.” And then a dark grin spreads across his face. “I’m in!”
33
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
BRIAR
Now
Walking back into Wonderland feels wrong.
For about the millionth time, I wonder if I would be better off running. But I don’t have the money or resources and I have nowhere to go, no one who will hide me. They’d find me. Probably pretty quickly.
The bouncer on the back door nods at me in polite greeting as I walk past, the music a dull rumble until he opens the doors and the sound comes tumbling out. Alongside a burst of cigar smoke that sets my anxiety on edge, the back hallway feels more claustrophobic than it already did.
I teeter on the threshold. I can feel the bouncer’s eye on me, but he doesn’t say anything. Straightening my shoulders, I let out a deep breath, lift my chin, and step inside. Resisting the urge to scream out when the door shuts behind me.
You’re okay. Giovanni will keep his word. Make money. Pay him back. And get the fuck out of this place.
Do I trust Giovanni?Fuck no. But really what choice do I have?
In my mind I go back to my call with Remi earlier. I’d read her a story over the phone before wishing her good night.I’m doing this for her.
I stiffen at the sight of Gio walking around the corner, dressed in his usual suit and tie. His eyes land on me and he smiles warmly like we’re old friends. “Bella! Welcome back. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.” A dark smirk pulls at the corner of his lips and I tremble slightly, getting the feeling that showing up was far better than what they had planned for me if I didn’t. He checks the clipboard in his hand. “You’re on bar tonight. And the main stage later.”
I release a strangled breath.Okay my normal schedule—that, I can do.
I nod, squeezing by him on my way to the dressing room.
“Move it, Bella. You’re already late.”
I clench my jaw, tightening my grip on my bag, quickening my pace and practically diving through the curtain of the dressing room up the hall. I pull up short when I find two girls inside, taking stock of who is in the room. I relax slightly at the sight of Sierra and Jade, both arriving, like me, for the ten p.m. shift. They’re annoying, but hardly a threat.
“Bella!” Sierra whines when she spots me in her mirror trying to sneak over to an empty makeup table. “We missed you! Where’ve you been?”
“I thought you quit,” Jade laughs, eyeing me through her mirror while applying a bright pink shade of lipstick to match the neon lingerie she’s wearing—If you can even call it lingerie, it’s more like… strategically placed string.
“I—Giovanni gave me a week off,” I blurt out.
Both Sierra and Jade turn in their seats to stare at me. “Who did you have to blow to make that happen?”
My eyes widen in shock but Sierra just pouts, looking at Jade. “I wish Gio would give me a week off. You’re so lucky, Bells.”They both turn back to their respective mirrors and I let out a slow exhale.
“Yeah, lucky.That’s me.”
