My teeth clenched together painfully as I tried not to snap. “It’s my sister’s birthday.”
“Yes, but we both know you weren’t invited to this party, so I suggest you leave before I call the police and report a trespasser.”
JJ crossed his arms, a gesture that was intimidating by itself, but then he stepped forward and leaned into Darren’s personal space. When he wasn’t smiling and cracking jokes, JJ could be menacing. “She’s our plus-one,” he said, his voice cold.
To Darren’s credit, he didn’t back down. “There are no plus-ones.”
“So if I showed up with my girlfriend, you wouldn’t let her in?” Oliver scoffed. “How rude.”
“But Miss James isn’t your girlfriend,” Darren pointed out.
“Of course she’s not his girlfriend,” Xander snapped. “She’s mine.” His eyes were narrowed at Darren, and I’d never seen him look so angry before. “By the way, James is a stage name. Indie’s last name is Mitchell-Jamiolkowski. Get it right.”
Despite the four guys who were now glaring at him, Darren rolled his eyes. “My apologies, Miss Mitchell-Jamiolkowski, but it doesn’t matter who you’re dating. You’re not on the list.”
“For God’s sake, Darren. Give it up already and let them in,” said a familiar voice.
Glancing over Darren’s shoulder, I met the smoldering blue eyes of Gabriel Grant. He stood just inside the entryway, hands casually stuffed in his pockets, and there was a wide grin on his face, as if watching the scene play out had been the most entertaining part of his day.
“Hey, dude,” JJ said, sauntering forward and slapping his hand into Gabe’s. “How’ve you been?”
Darren’s lips flattened into a tight line, but he did as Gabeinstructed and stepped aside. Not bothering to glance in his direction, Alec and Oliver followed JJ, while Xander draped an arm over my shoulder and guided me in after them. Even though it was childish, I stuck my tongue out at Darren as we passed by.
Ha, I wanted to say,thwarted again!
“So, Indie,” Gabe said once all the guys had clapped each other on the back in greeting. “What are you doing here? Not that it’s a problem, but these parties aren’t usually your thing.”
“I have a surprise planned for Violet,” I explained. “It’s an apology slash birthday gift.”
“Cool, cool,” he said, bobbing his head. “Anything I can do to help?”
“That depends.” I looked up at Xander. “What time are you guys playing your set?”
Oliver answered for him. “Sixish?” he said, glancing at his phone. “We should probably say hi to people and wish your sister a happy birthday first.”
“Any chance you can find me somewhere to hide until then?” I asked Gabe.
“Yeah, for sure.” He turned toward a hallway on our left and gestured for me to follow. “This way.”
Xander gave my hand a quick squeeze. “I’ll text you when we’re ready, okay?”
I nodded, then tagged along behind Gabe, who led me away from the noise of the party and over to a set of stairs. He started up them without a moment’s hesitation.
“Um,” I said, pausing at the bottom step and glancing around.“You sure it’s okay for us to go up? I don’t want to intrude on whoever lives here.”
He tossed a smile over his shoulder. “This is my and Ryan’s place.”
“Oh!” Grabbing the banister, I hurried after him. “Well, thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s the least I can do to make up for Darren. He can be a bit overzealous at times.”
You think?I wanted to say. “Who is he anyway?”
“Ryan’s PA.”
Of course he was. He and Sadie were a match made in hell.
Part of me was curious to know what had convinced Gabe and Ryan to hire equally evil PAs. Black magic? Mind control? Or maybe they received a two-for-one deal because nobody else wanted to hire Demon One and Demon Two?
