Chapter 40
SAVANNAH
Earrings on, hair curled, and the strap on my pumps secured. I go over my outfit one more time in the full-length arched mirror. I smooth my hands over my black long-sleeved dress with a corset bodice.
Another purchase from my shopping spree.
Blake called me this morning and said that if I don’t go out with her tonight, she’s going to call the cops for a wellness check. I don’t think she’d go through with it, but I didn’t want to test that. Plus, I miss my best friend.
With one last glance in the mirror, I decide that I’m ready, head out of my room, and go down the stairs.
At the bottom, all the breath in my lungs is suddenly gone.
Rory is sitting on the couch dressed in a loose polo and dress pants, showing off his strong body.
Luke leans against the wall, wearing a sweater with the sleeves pushed up past his elbows, leaving his strong arms in plain view.
Hunter is typing on his phone with his other hand in his pocket.
He’s dressed in all black with the top buttons of his dress shirt undone.
Is there drool on my face?
One by one, they take notice of my presence. Their eyes roam up and down my body, setting it on fire with the heat in their eyes.
Luke pushes off the wall and stalks toward me. “Nope. We’re staying in.”
“I agree.” Rory rises from the couch.
“I’m going to end up gouging someone’s eyes out,” Hunter thunders.
“How about we order in some Chinese, turn on a movie, and cuddle on the couch? A date night in,” Luke suggests.
I gesture to my dress. “But I got all ready.”
Hunter lifts his brows. “Do you want to be the reason some guy loses his sight?”
Pointing my finger to each of them, I speak firmly, “If you three are going to be bums about this, then I’ll go without you. Hollis and his men are perfectly capable of keeping me safe.”
The three of them look at each other and have a silent conversation. They all nod, then Luke charges right for me. He bends his knees, wraps his arms around my thighs, and stands.
Once I overcome the shock, I shout, “Put me down!”
There’s a loud smack on my butt, causing me to jolt.
Luke walks toward the elevator. “Calm down, Trouble. Your dress will slip, and you’ll give your security team a free peep show.”
Hunter adds, “I’d really like not to have to maim my chief security officer. He’s very good at his job.”
“You’re all cavemen,” I grumble.
Rory chuckles. “Never claimed we weren’t.”
We pile into Rory’s Cadillac and drive to Onyx.
On the road, we’re caged in by security SUVs in the front and back.
When we get there, I’m not allowed to get out of the car until Hollis, Emmett, and Brooks surround us.
Even with the whole dog and pony show, I’m relieved when I realize that we don’t have to wait in the cold outside.
We bypass the long line and go right inside.
I spot Blake as we get closer to the VIP section, a perk Rory kindly hooked us up with.
Blake squeals and rushes toward me. “Ah! You’re here!”
Hollis moves to step in front of me, but Rory places a hand on Hollis’s shoulder.
I wrap Blake in my arms and we squeeze each other. “Did you start drinking without me?”
Blake laughs, waving me off. “No. I’m just so happy to see you. You had me worried sick, babe!”
Holding hands, we sit down in a large booth. Emmett takes up his post at the VIP entrance, Hollis stands sentry in front of the booth, and Brooks has blended in with the throng of people downstairs. I have no idea where he went.
In the booth, Blake and I sit in the middle. We’re caged in by Rory sitting so close to me that we’re hip to hip, Hunter is on the other side of Rory, and Luke sits next to Blake, wisely giving her a decent amount of space.
They’re not the only ones who can get jealous.
“I’m fine. I promise,” I assure her.
Blake’s eyes take in the four of us. “Yeah, I can see that.” I’m not sure what she sees, but she gasps as her hands fly to her mouth. “You had sex.”
“I told you when I lost my v-card,” I reply, confused.
Blake leans closer to me. “No, I mean you had wild group sex.”
An embarrassed screech gets stuck in my throat. “Oh my God! Blake!”
“Ooo. Good wild group sex.” Blake’s eyes flick to my men. “I’m guessing these are the other participants. Hi, Blake Jennings.” Blake holds her hand out to Rory, who kindly returns the gesture with a shake.
I lovingly roll my eyes and make the introductions. “Blake, this is Hunter, Rory, and Luke.”
“Rory,” Blake says as her gaze goes far off. “Oh! You’re the club owner. Luke…you’re the one with the library. And Hunter, the one who dropped some serious dough for my girl.”
I gawk at her classification of each of them. “Blake!”
Blake pats my hand. “Calm down, Savannah. I need to make sure these men can take care of you. If they can’t handle my teasing, I doubt they can handle much else.”
“Keep going. This is fun,” Rory encourages as he leans back, placing his arms along the top of the seat.
Blake grills the three of them, and they take her questions in stride, giving the perfect answers.
When the first few notes of “Yeah!” by Usher play, Blake and I jump to our feet. Blake throws her hands in the air and proclaims, “Time to dance, bitches!”
Together we rush to the dance floor, not caring if the guys follow.
We scream the lyrics at the top of our lungs and move with the beat.
We’re barely into the first chorus when I’m swarmed by three sexy men—my sexy men.
Leaning back into Hunter’s chest, my hips sway, and I place one hand on Rory’s chest and my other on Luke’s.
Dancing in the middle of the three of them, one song transitions to another and another.
Sometimes Rory and Luke break off and dance just the two of them, their passion spurring on my own.
In the corner of my eye, I spot Blake frozen and staring down at her phone. I break away from Hunter and grab Blake by her shoulders. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
Blake stands there with her mouth open.
“Babe, you’re white as a ghost.” I guide her off the dance floor, hearing some shouts of protest behind me. I know they want me to stick by their sides, but between six capable men, I’m sure one of them will catch up.
“Talk to me,” I urge her.
Blake looks up at me with sad eyes. “I have to go home.”
Blinking, I ask, “Back to Evergreen Falls?”
Blake nods. If it’s possible, more blood drains from her face.
I shake my head. “No. There has to be a different solution.”
Hunter interrupts, “Don’t run off like that again.”
“Shh. Not now,” I snap then turn back to Blake.
“There isn’t. I have to go. He—” Blake stops herself and jostles her head, “I need to do something.”
I rub her upper arm, offering comfort. “Are you sure about this?”
Blake’s eyes turn softer than I’ve ever seen them. “Yes.”
“Then go.” I grip her hand.
Blake’s lips curve in a sad smile, then her face changes. “Dammit. My studio.”
“Aren’t you coming back?” My head angles to the side.
“I’m not sure.” Blake shrugs.
I squeeze her hand. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll pack it up and ship everything to Evergreen Falls.”
“Thank you.” Blake sighs, dropping her shoulders in relief.
“Of course.” I circle her in my arms and say into her ear, “Stay safe. Love you.”
“Love you too,” she says back. With one last squeeze, she pulls away, heading out of Onyx.
I’ve known Blake long enough to know she runs on caffeine and instinct. Sometimes it feels impulsive, but she’s always sure of her choices.
Hunter pulls me into his side. “Does this mean we can go home now?”
“Don’t be such a party pooper,” I respond, playfully slapping his chest.
We join Rory and Luke at the bar, where we’re supplied with free drinks.
Apparently, when your boyfriend is the owner, you get free stuff.
Over the next hour, Rory, Luke, and Hunter take turns chasing me back and forth between the dance floor and the bar.
I’m not sure how many shots I throw back, but then I’m all over the place.
“Drunk Savannah is a runner,” Rory comments with a chuckle.
Luke groans. “I noticed.”
Rory laughs again. “Maybe we need to buy her one of those backpacks that come with a leash. I now understand why parents use them.”
“Whose turn is it?” Hunter asks.
While they’re talking, I wander off. Someone grabs my hand, dragging me in a different direction.
Their grip is too tight, and their fingers are too small to be Hunter, Rory, or Luke.
I’m brought to a dark alcove, but there’s still enough light that I finally see who has snatched me up, and I sober up a bit from the shock.
“Slicer, what are you doing here?”
With a serious face, Slicer says, “We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t.” I hold my hands up, attempting to take a step back.
Slicer pulls me back by my arm. “I’m here to help.”
“You’re hurting me. Let go!” I know there will be bruises later.
“Not until you listen!” He shouts. Dropping his hold, he runs a hand through his hair. “I’m only trying to help. You’re in danger.”
My eyes squint. “How do you know that?”
“I saw…” he stops talking, glancing over my shoulder, and his eyes widen. “I’ll come for you another time.” Slicer runs off, disappearing through a side door before I can respond.
Brooks and Emmett run past me and out the door after Slicer, while Hollis and my three men hang back with me.
“Who the fuck was that?” Luke bites out.
I don’t realize I’m clutching my arm where Slicer grabbed me until Rory asks, “Did he hurt you?”
“Was that the little prick from The Circuit?” Hunter questions.
I nod my head. “Slicer.”
“I knew I didn’t like him,” Hunter responds.
Luke glares in the direction Slicer ran off. “Is he the one I saw when you ran into RHL that one day?”
I nod again.
“I’ll dig into him,” Hunter states.
“No,” I refute, “Let him go. I think he’ll leave me alone now. He got an eye full of you three, Hollis and his team.”
“I don’t like how close he’s gotten to you. That’s two times now,” Rory counters.
“There won’t be a third,” Luke promises.
Hunter snarls. “Damn right, there won’t.”
I don’t want them to know how freaked out I am by Slicer’s appearance. Rory was right. That’s two times that Slicer has found me out and about in public. I don’t know how he’s tracking me, and that makes me sick to my stomach.
But I’m promising myself something.
I won’t let him catch me unaware again.