“Raoul,” I say, straight to the point. “Would you take me back to the stadium? I’m sure Cooper and the others can handle things for a bit, right?”
His shoulders tense as he glances at Cooper. “Effa, you know I’ll take you anywhere,” he says lowly. “But leaving everyone here with only six security makes me uneasy.”
I slump a little. “Can you call in reinforcements? Please? I really need to go back. Tonight.”
He groans, not at me, but at the situation. Cooper gives me a quick grin. He’s the more easygoing of the two.
“Raoul, go,” Cooper says. “I’ve got this. If anything comes up, I’ll call. You keep talking about trusting me. Well, this is your chance. Take care of the most important part ofLuminous. I’ll handle the rest.”
I squirm a little at that. Ihatebeing called themost important part. Yeah, I’m the lead singer, I write the songs, butLuminousis a team. If one of us fails, we all fail.
Still, I know many people don’t see it that way.
Raoul sighs heavily. “Fine. But the moment anything happens—”
“I’ll call,” Cooper cuts him off.
Raoul looks at me again, shoulders relaxing. “You ready?”
I bob up on my toes and nod. “Yep.”
Chapter Five
EFFA
It’s eerie here at night.
Dark and deserted, the vibrant energy from earlier is long gone, replaced by the occasional bang of a loose door caught in a strange breeze.
I’m not even sure Mercs is still here.
And I’m starting to feel like an idiot for coming back.
I could have been partying with everyone else.
Maybe there was something weird in that joint that scrambled my decision-making.
“Effa, is there a reason we’re wandering around this place in the pitch black with only a flashlight?” Raoul asks, voice low.
I gnaw on my bottom lip, glancing up at him. Hopefully, his night vision is elite, because this place is giving me the creeps. As we round the corner, we both pause when we notice that the light in the crew room is on.
“Wait here. No one should be here,” Raoul growls, instantly on alert.
“Raoul, I think it’s—”
Too late. He’s off, pepper spray in hand.
I chase after him, but the clunk of my thigh-high platform boots makes stealth impossible.
“Put your hands up,” Raoul yells as he storms into the room.
A muffled grunt follows.
“What the fuck!” Mercs’ voice booms.
I skid around the corner to see Raoul with Mercs bent over the counter, arm twisted behind his back. “Raoul, stop!” I shout.
Raoul glances at me, startled, just as Mercs lifts his head. His eyes widen when he sees me, and Mercs exhales sharply.
