As what might be considered celebrities, we had access to the exclusive VIP lounge on the mezzanine level surrounding the dance floor. A row of glowing pods lined the wall of the upper level, each one contained behind a sliding screen door. In front of them were widely spaced round tables surrounded by tall stools and that was where I found myself. Sat at a table next to the railing, overlooking the packed dance floor, with Callum, Jax and Matteo Ramos. The rest of our party were spread out at various tables and occupying the dance floor below.
I nursed my lager—not my usual drink—and quietly observed the action around me. Not quite part of the conversation.
“—She’s doing well, picked up points in three races so far, which is good for any rookie, never mind a girl.” Callum was mid-flow about Sofia Vega when I snapped to attention.
I fixed him with a hard stare and a slow shake of my head. His cheeks blazed.
“Sorry, I know that sounded wrong, but you know what I mean. She’s the first female driver in F1. I’m impressed. That’s all.”
“She’s ahead of you in the championship,” Jax said, his voice carrying easily over the loud music. “Stop being too impressed to compete with her.” He grinned and took a sip of his beer.
“Oh I can compete with her, just you watch.” Callum came across a bit defensive sometimes, but we all overlooked it. I wasn’t blind to the fact that he had spent the last three yearsracing in my shadow. Overlooked. It was tough being a team’s second driver. Tough for him. It didn’t bother me.
“Yeah, yeah,” Matteo said, smirking. “Show us on the track.” The Brazilian driver’s skin glimmered under the lights and he had a wicked glint in his eye.
My attention was already wandering, my gaze drifting back down towards the lower level and the throng of bodies dancing to the beat.
“Well, look who it is,” Jax said, his voice close to my ear. “The thorn in Obsidian’s side.”
That got my attention. I followed his line of sight and there, just arriving through the double doors, was Elena and her friend, Caroline. My jaw tightened. Elena was dressed in a sparkly, gold dress with an asymmetrical neckline. Her dark hair flowed in loose curls about her shoulders and daring, red lipstick coated her full lips.
“She hasn’t been talking about cheating much lately,” Matteo said, curiosity in his voice. “Just track-side violence. Has she dropped that other thing?”
“No idea,” Callum said, shrugging and taking a swig of his drink.
“I don’t know,” I said. The lie was sour on my tongue. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“If looks could kill,” Jax said, his tone more serious than usual. I blinked away from Elena and turned my attention to him, frowning. “Seriously, dude. Don’t murder the journalist who’s been sniffing around your team. It’s way too obvious.”
“I don’t want to kill her,” I said, a little more defensively than was necessary. I shifted my weight.
Jax, not missing a beat gave me a sly grin. “Oh. Right. Got it.”
Fuck.
On that note, Callum got up from the table, gave us a wave and wandered off to talk to some of the Nova guys.
“I’m heading to the bar,” Matteo said. “Anyone want another?”
“I’m good, buddy,” Jax said. His attention had turned to a group of young women at the edge of the dance floor. “I need something a little sweeter now. Excuse me.” He grinned and headed for the stairs.
“Aleks?” Matteo prompted. I shook my head and he followed Jax. I sat for a minute, my fingers idly wiping the condensation from my glass, my gaze back on the beauty in gold below. She was moving through the crowd with her friend, heading towards the heart of the dance floor.
Fuck it.
I drained my glass and left the table. I kept track of her as I moved along the mezzanine and down the stairs, but then she was lost in the crowd and I picked my way carefully through it, matching her course. I stood a couple of inches taller than most of the people in the club and soon found her again, dancing under the glitter ball, her arms raised above her head, her hips swaying to the music.
I eased between dancers, making my way closer. This was too public. The risk of being seen was huge, especially with so many of my peers up on the balcony. But it was like I was a fish caught on a line, being reeled in by her swaying body.
I moved behind her, close enough to touch. Hidden by the packed crowd, I skimmed my fingers gently across the middle of her back. She startled and spun her head, looking like she was ready to punch whoever just touched her but her eyes went wide when she laid them on me.
“Volkov!” Caroline called above the music. “Last place I thought I’d see you.” She grinned at me, unaware of the way I’d just touched her friend.
Elena lowered her arms and resumed dancing, but with more restraint.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice almost swallowed entirely by the noisy club.
“I was dragged here against my will.” I leaned close enough to talk into her ear without shouting. “I’ve been abducted. I need rescuing.”
