“What a hero,” Roxie said.“Want to hear the next stage in our plan?”
“If you want to talk, I want to listen.It’s my burden and my joy.”
“And your ticket to oh-so-much sex.”
Something she wasn’t having.Wouldn’t be having.
As Roxie recounted her conversation with Knox, her thoughts went back to the morning after.Cam had said she was single, could screw who she wanted.This whole thing would work out better if she dated someone anonymous.A decoy to draw attention away from the Colliers.She could.But wouldn’t.Using someone like that, and exposing them to the craziness.Though if she fell for someone for real.Only way to do that would be to make dates and—after spending a night sleeping next to Cam, would any other man ever match up?
TWENTY-TWO
THERE WERE PHOTOGRAPHERS outside the club.Whether they were big media or local, she didn’t know, and didn’t ask.What difference would knowing make?Even if they were local, the more famous media names would pick it up from there, if so desired.
Roxie was the star.More so than she’d been at Cam’s.The pout, the poses, waving to those at the back, proved Roxie didn’t take herself too seriously.The woman was friendly with everyone, ready to banter, all the while wearing a glorious smile.
Security stayed closer outside, though even on the VIP floor, they lingered.Drinks were brought.Roxie hugged and chatted with those who basically lined up to talk to her.Honey and Tripp took her to a seating area with an empty, neglected couch at the head of it.Weird.The place was busy and yet no one sat there?
Drinks begot drinks, and they danced in varying combinations, close to the wall of glass they’d talked about at Cam’s.People would see her, had seen her, and that security wasn’t only protecting Roxie.
Ready for another drink, she went back to their seats, by the still empty couch, and was immediately handed a fresh drink.The attentiveness was incredible.
Tripp danced with someone she didn’t know.Honey was on a perpendicular couch debating something, if the animated expressions and spirited gestures were any measure.
Roxie wasn’t hard to pinpoint.Security was ever-present, and the concentration of partiers was highest near the Empress, as so many called her.It must be nice to—suddenly everyone’s heads swung around.Honestly, everyone, simultaneously, noticed Zairn Lomond step inside with Knox and Cam.
No one went near the group.Literally no one.That was a contrast to Roxie’s reception.The latter was personable and drew people to her.Zairn was personable too, though maybe not as much bare-knuckle fun.
The trio split apart with Zairn striding on through the middle of the room.Knox headed for stationary Tripp and the harem of women huddled near him.
Cam?Ah, he came straight to her and sat right there, no hesitation, no concern.
“Hey,” he said, resting a hand on her thigh.“I missed you today.”
The music in the VIP area was loud, though nowhere near as loud as it would be in a regular club.And though she’d dismissed it as imagination, she was pretty sure the music got louder when Roxie danced and quieter when the woman was talking.
“Not much work getting done,” she said.“Our routine’s shot to shit.”
The glow of his presence came with a desperately needed peace.
“Dalton’s on it,” he said, accepting a drink from a server.
“How do they do that?”
“The drinks?Zairn insists on it.And regulars have their orders on automatic repeat.”
“And how do you pay?”
He laughed.“I don’t.No one in Zairn’s inner circle does.”
“Quick way to stop being a billionaire.”
“I’d disagree with you except I know how much we can all drink.Meant to ask him what the wedding bar bill came out to in the end.Though I doubt he asked for a figure.”
“What did—”
A collective gasp interrupted.It wasn’t super loud, just unexpected.Everyone was gawking again.Only this time, the eyes were on Zairn and Roxie, right by that same broad window.On their traverse stage the performance was in full swing.Their words couldn’t be heard, but facing each other, a few feet apart, it was obvious the couple were in disagreement.
Zairn touched Roxie’s shoulder, or tried to, Roxie batted the gesture aside before it could make contact.
