“I like that,” Heidi says with a single nod.
The term “electric” scares the shit out of me, but I can’t deny that at the same time, it also excites me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MILLIE
Electric is an understatement.
Bennet had Anna post a video of Heidi in Vegas and sponsored the post.Just a pit stop. That’s how it was posted, and I have to admit, it’s pretty ingenious. The entire club is charged. Even more so than the other night.
I can’t allow the excitement to consume me, though. I feel as if I need to be even more vigilant than normal. Dante could be anywhere. He could be lurking in any dark corner. I know he’s in North Carolina, and I know he’s been here in this building.
And I say yet because it’s only a matter of time. He will find me—to kill me. At least he’ll try anyway. Axton won’t let him. The Vicious Reapers won’t let him, especially now that I’m his old lady.
And I guess I really am just that.
Standing in the dressing room, I look at my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. I feel very unsure of myself right now. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m out of my element. I gave up the dream of being an old lady years ago—resigned myself to it.
But now it’s right here, ready and ripe for the picking, and it’s all mine.Axtonis all mine. It seems unbelievable, like this is some kind of fever dream, but it’s real, and he wants me. I’ve always wanted him. And it’s all coming together.
But is this what I want?
I keep asking myself that, but apparently, I haven’t come up with the answer yet.
“You good?” Cecille asks from her station next to me.
Shaking my head, I turn and look over to her. I’m not sure how to answer her. Sure, I’m good, but I’m also very much not. I don’t want to worry her, and at the same time, I don’t want to have to explain my story or situation.
“It’s just really crazy,” I whisper.
“It’s like static electricity,” she states.
She’s right. That’s exactly what it is. Static electricity. And I don’t like it, at least not right now. I would probably like it if a man weren’t lurking around trying to kill me. All of this would be a hell of a lot more fun if it weren’t for Dante, but then again, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Dante, so there is that.
“Yeah. It’s exciting but a bit nerve-racking,” I mutter.
She smiles, but otherwise doesn’t have anything to add to my stress. She doesn’t realize just what kind of stress I’m under anyway. And I hope it stays that way. Nobody should be scared out of their brains that their actualbrainsare going to be blown to bits.
“Are you ready, Millie?” Anna calls out from the doorway.
I look over my shoulder and see her at the door, just one step inside, a man at her back. It’s Lightning. I’m surprised to see him there. He’s usually at the front or back entrance and not inside the club.
I look into the mirror again for a sweep of my body to ensure everything is where it needs to be, and then I nod once before I spin on my too-high heels and start moving toward the door.
Anna scribbles something down on her clipboard, then begins to move toward the side of the stage. Lightning doesn’t let me pass him, though. I feel his fingers curl around my elbow. They flex, then he gently shakes me just enough to get my attention.
Shifting my focus to him, I slowly tilt my head back as I look up into his eyes. Arching a brow in question, I wait for whatever it is he has on his mind. Clearly, there is something, so I wait, although I only have a few minutes before I need to be on stage, so I can’t wait too long.
“Be careful tonight,” he states.
I don’t know why he says it, but the way he does, I can tell he’s serious. I start to ask him what he knows, but don’t bother, because he wouldn't tell me even if he knew something.
“I will be,” I state.
He releases me, and I walk past him and head straight for the stage. I climb the stairs, then wait for the lights to dim, signaling it’s my turn to get up there and dance. Heidi is on after me, and I have to admit it’s been nice not being the headliner tonight.
When the lights finally dim, the music begins. Stepping out, I start to dance before the lights even turn on. They slowly come on, the stage glittering with the gold I adore. My body is covered in shimmer.
