“No, a friend. It’s my first time here.”
“Welcome!” Brit said with a smile.
A man with blond hair and a slender, muscular build walked over. “Hey, baby.”
“Honey, this is Caroline’s sister,” Brit said. “This is my husband, Rebel.”
“Welcome to Hotel Dillinger,” he said. “You must be Sydney Austin.”
“Guilty.”
“Caroline mentioned you—” Rebel said.
“Like a thousand times,” Brit added. “You two are like me and my sister.”
“Who’s that?” Sydney asked.
“Addison Skye Hawk.”
Sydney had no idea who these people were, but she had her suspicions they all worked together. While sheshouldn’tknow ALPHA existed, shedid.
“My husband, Rebel, and I are headed over to Lost Souls later.”
“That’s where I’m going,” Sydney said. “I grabbed a rideshare here. Any chance I can beg a ride to the club?”
“Of course,” Brit said. “Are you having dinner?”
“No. Drinks in the Bohemian room.”
“We’ll swing by around eight forty-five.”
“Thanks for introducing yourself,” Sydney said.
“I have to check on my bartenders,” Rebel said. “We’ll walk you over.”
“Where’s your weapon?” Sydney whispered to Brit.
Brit bit back a smile. “What makes you think I carry?”
Sydney smiled. “Mine’s in my boot.”
“Same,” Brit replied. “Caroline never mentioned where you work.”
“Probably on purpose,” Sydney said as she stopped outside the lounge. “Whoa, baby, this isamazing.”
Even with a full house, she couldn’t miss the sexy rose sconces that lit up the walls or the two crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. She especially loved the purple sofas and bright orange velvet chairs, packed with costumed guests. Several tables filled the cozy room, the bar took up the left wall where four tenders worked lightning-fast. The dance floor was packed, but it was the hundreds of vinyl albums housed in custom cases—like the ones used in record stores—that stole her attention.
“This has definitely got a sexy vibe goin’ on.”
Pride shone on Rebel’s face. He pulled out a few tickets. “Lemme comp your drinks.”
“Thanks, but you don’t?—”
“I got you,” he said.
Sydney took the coupons as her friend—seated nearby—caught her eye.
“Have fun,” Brit said before she and Rebel disappeared into the crowded room.
