“Am I—what?” Between the stress from lack of sleep, his foiling my plans, and trying to mentally prepare to be in this nightmarish prison where I had endured so much pain, the question was enough to trigger me.
Whatever air I had in that moment dissipated as my anxiety skyrocketed, forcing my breathing to wheeze in and out in shallow rasps. Rowan’s eyes widened, and he immediately folded me back into him.
“Violet, talk to me. Your heart is going crazy.”
I laughed, caught off guard by the absurdity of it. “My what? What does that even mean?”
“It means we can turn away and go if needed. Whatever this is, whatever reason brought you here? We can find another way.”
Hope bloomed like an unfurling flower greeting spring’s promise. He had said 'we' and the words slipped deep inside my chest, nestling in a place I had kept locked away in preparation for this vengeance plot. I hadn’t realized how badly I had wanted to hear those words from someone in my other life—that whatever monsters lurked in this beautiful hell, I wouldn’t face them alone.
He doesn’t know what he’s getting into. There shouldn’t be a 'we'. He doesn’t deserve to get into this mess.The grim realization that I couldn’t drag him into this was like cold water being poured on me.
“I can’t,” I said and pushed away from Rowan. I glanced over to see Romeo finishing up tending to the drunk. I plastered a practiced smile on my face. “I’m fine,” I lied.
He arched his brow, giving me a skeptical look, but he said nothing. Romeo’s familiar baritone voice cut in, “Everything alright?”
“Yes,” I breathed, making every effort to appear composed as I looked back at him. “I simply needed a moment. We’re ready.”
We all made our way to the obsidian bar. Romeo signaled the bartender, who was fulfilling a drink order for a waitress dressed like a flight attendant. After a silent exchange, the bartender came closer with a phone in his hand. The morbid realization crashed into me that, throughout all the years of captivity in my first life, I’d never thought to steal someone’s phone to get away.How pathetic was I?
Romeo turned to look at me, his gaze dark and penetrating, as he sized me up. I kept my eyes downcast, hoping to appear as demure as Alice’s friend. He still looked stunning. His dark hair framed a face highlighted by his bronze complexion.
He said to the bartender, “Andy, she’s here to audition. Ring Jules for her.” Then he pointed to a stool at the bar. “Stay put,” he said before he headed back towards the front door.
I took in an eyeful of his broad back and tight ass—perfectly hugged by the dark jeans he wore—and couldn’t help but wonder if he still danced.
Rowan leaned close, his breath hot against my ear, his voice a low rumble only I could catch. “Violet, do you enjoy ogling men like him?”
I jumped, covering my ear from his invasion as my pulse raced with an electric mix of trepidation and anticipation. “Ogling? Is that why you’re here?” I whispered back. “Giddy to see a naked woman for the first time, Rowan? I’m surprised your dad isn’t here for your first big boy night out.” My words cracked at the edges, betraying my uneasiness at the situation.
Rowan sensed my discomfort. “This is not a place for Charlie,princess. Besides,” he said with that same insufferable smirk, “We both know that he has eyes for only one woman.”
“Ugh,gross! Don’t bring my mom into this.” Being intentionally crude while also pointing out the polygamist elephant in the room regarding our parents was enough to pull a soft laugh from me. “I don’t know what those three have going on, but they really need to figure it out and just tell us like we’re adults.”
Rowan lowered his chin as he sighed dramatically. “I do believe that hell may have frozen over. For once, we agree on something.”
I was still pissed that Rowan was there, but I had to admit that his small talk helped settle my nerves. . . at least a little.
“Good evening,” the bartender said, cutting through our private moment. “And what may I have the pleasure of serving you two on this fine summer evening?” He asked in a lilting, sing-song way that forced a smile to my face. The man’s voice was like soft butter spread on warm brown bread.
He definitely sings, I thought.
“Water,” I said quickly. Years of listening to Jules had taught me the unwritten rules of this place. Girls who drank before dancing became liabilities; clumsy, unfocused, vulnerable. I needed every sense to be razor-sharp. That was usually the first test.
The bartender smiled, genuine warmth lighting his features. His dark braids swung with tiny bells that sang soft music with each movement. His chest gleamed, naked under the dim lights, and I saw circular barbell rings piercing his nipples, catching the light like twinkling stars.
I thought about my own nipple piercings. I still felt like a newborn fawn struggling to take its first steps anytime I had to dress or undress. Unable to help myself, my mouth spoke before my brain stopped it. “Aren’t you ever afraid of catching those?” I asked as I gestured to his pierced nipples. I immediately flushed, realizing how personal the question was.
Screw being coy. These bad boys on me are an accident waiting to happen.
He chuckled softly, the sound like velvet against raw nerves, unwinding the tightness inside my chest. “You mean how do you not catch them on things?”
I nodded. “I just got mine, and it’s been. . . an adjustment,” I confided. Behind me, I heard Rowan curse, and from my peripheral vision, I saw he had his head tipped back. His eyes were pinched as if in pain.
He’s going to have to get comfortable real soon if I’m going to be dancing nude in front of him.The thought sent butterflies of nerves throughout me.
“A little pain is fine with me,” the bartender admitted, his melodic voice now as rich as bourbon. A playful spark lit his eyes, transforming his face from beautiful to dangerous. “Though I sometimes tie my hair up, to keep the bells from ringing.” He flicked one of the silver bells inhis hair, the tiny sound punctuating his words. “I’m Andy. I’ll grab your water. And for you, sir?”
