Chapter 20 #2
“Right this way,” he says with decisive efficiency, whipping around on his heel as expertly as a ballroom dancer.
Vicky gets to her feet the moment she sees me, a beaming smile puffing up her cheeks. A gorgeous, willowy redhead rises, too. Guess that’s Imogen. There’s a third woman who, research tells me, is Christian’s sister Saskia.
Oh, God. They brought the sister.
I mean, I know I have to meet her sometime, but why did it have to be now when I’m already racked with nerves and have sweat dripping between my boobs?
I’m not this nervous with Christian. Maybe it’s because he’s guilty and these women have nothing to do with what happened to my parents.
Guilty by association doesn’t cut it, and I know how I’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot and I found out after the fact I’d been played for a fool.
“Grace.” Vicky greets me like a long-lost friend. “It’s great to see you.” She captures my hand and draws me forward. “This is Imogen, and this is Christian’s sister Saskia.”
I force a smile I hope comes off as genuine, then gesture to Juliet. “This is my best friend Juliet.”
Introductions over, we take our seats. Within five minutes, all the worries I’d had vanish.
It isn’t an inquisition; it’s conversation, and the good thing is most of it I can be honest about, such as how Juliet and I met, and what my hobbies are.
That question gets a groan from Juliet and a firm dig in the ribs from me.
“Ignore her,” I say. “She knows I can talk about my love of music and musical instruments for hours. Especially the piano.”
“You should have Christian introduce you to Destiny Winslow,” Saskia says.
“He already did,” I say, animated. “He took me to the Royal Albert Hall a few weeks ago and introduced me to her afterward. She’s my idol.”
“Well, I never. Christian, a hopeless romantic. Didn’t know he had it in him.”
“He’s extraordinarily romantic.” Why I feel the need to defend him, God knows. “Even though our marriage is an arrangement, he got down on one knee and everything.”
Juliet gasps. “You never told me that.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Sorry.”
The conversation flows so easily as we eat that I feel as though I’ve known these women for ages, and, unusually for me in larger groups, I’m not looking for a way to cut the evening short and head home, where it’s quiet and peaceful. So, when Vicky suggests dancing, I agree.
“Told you it’d be fine,” Juliet whispers in my ear as we pile into the cars.
We end up at Noir, which, Vicky tells me, is a chain of nightclubs owned by the De Vils. One more business to add to their empire. It’s hard to wrap my head around the extent to which this family’s tentacles spread.
We’re ushered through the club like royalty to a roped off area. Seconds later, champagne and nibbles arrive even though I didn’t see anyone order them.
After we down a glass of champagne, the five of us pile onto the dance floor. I catch sight of the bodyguards lining the perimeter, their gazes scanning the crowds for signs of trouble. It’s the weirdest sensation, like being watched but not really.
I don’t see him at first—I feel him.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and a chill skates over my skin.
I slowly pan the club.
My heart stops dead, and the entire room spins. A blast from my past is looking right at me, his expression twisted as though he’s trying to figure out whether it is me or not.
I drag my gaze away and shift my body, gripping Juliet by the arm. “Ladies toilets, now.”
She frowns but follows me without question, as does Marshall, my shadow for the evening. Surely he can’t track me right into the toilets.
He doesn’t, stationing himself outside the door instead. I drag Juliet inside. It’s packed with women reapplying makeup and fluffing up their hair. I march to the far end, where it’s a little less crowded.
“What’s going on?”
“I just saw Professor Hanley.”
“Who?”
“Hanley. My music teacher at university. He looked right at me, Juliet. He knows it’s me. Oh, God, what am I going to do? What if he comes over and says something that blows my cover?”
“Are you sure?’
“Yes, I’m sure. I was his star pupil, always staying behind to practice. I have to get out of here, but what will I say to Vicky and the others?”
“Calm down. You don’t know for sure that he saw you.”
“He looked right at me.”
“That still doesn’t mean he knows it’s you. Was he pervy? Maybe he fancies you.”
“He wasn’t pervy. He was a nice guy who took an interest in me because I didn’t make his ears bleed like the rest of the class.”
“Okay, keep your knickers on. Here’s what we do. We’re going back out there, and you’re going to carry on as if everything is normal. If he approaches you, I’ll run interference.”
I lick my lips and swallow. I’m so thirsty. It’s either the alcohol or the panic attack I just had.
“Okay.” I follow her outside, side-eying the bar on my way back to the dance floor.
He’s still there, but he’s got his back to me, deep in conversation with another guy I don’t recognize.
I nudge Juliet. “Dark blue trousers and a pale blue shirt.”
She glances over and nods. “Got him.”
Vicky flashes me a worried look as I approach, and I give her a reassuring smile. “Sorry, had to dash. I’ve always had a weak bladder.”
She laughs, buying my lies, and pulls me back into the circle. Somehow I end up facing the bar again. My stomach drops as my eyes meet his once more. He pushes off the bar and starts to walk in my direction.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
He knows it’s me. The surgical changes would fool an acquaintance, but I spent months in this guy’s class. Juliet catches my eye and correctly reads the situation. She swipes the back of her hand over her forehead. “I’m out. Need water.”
“Me, too,” I say, taking her lead.
We hurry off the dance floor and dart behind the velvet ropes. Marshall immediately moves into position, blocking anyone from coming into the area. I sweep the room, looking for Hanley.
“Can you see him?”
Juliet shakes her head. I stand, pretending to fix my dress, and turn my attention to the bar.
He’s there, with the same guy as before, and he’s paying no attention to me.
My legs give way, and I sink back onto the couch.
Maybe I read the situation wrong. He might not have recognized me at all.
Regardless, I need out of here, and fast.
“I want to go.”
Juliet nods. “Leave it with me. Stay here. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well.”
She returns to the dance floor, and I see her say something to Vicky, then point to me. Vicky says something to Imogen and Saskia, and all four women walk my way.
“Poor you,” Vicky exclaims. “Are you dehydrated? Have some water.” She plucks a bottle out of an ice-filled bucket and hands it to me.
“It is warm in here,” Saskia offers.
“Drink up, and we’ll go,” Imogen says.
Their kindness in the face of the false pretenses I’m here under cause a flush of tears to rush to my eyes, and one traitorous little shit falls.
“Don’t cry.” Imogen plunks herself down next to me and wraps me in a big hug. “If Christian finds out a night with us resulted in tears, he might dust off the gallows and have us all walking the plank.”
I laugh in spite of everything, and dash a hand over my face. “I’m sorry to ruin your night.”
“You haven’t ruined anything,” Saskia says. “I’ve loved getting to know you ahead of the wedding, but it’s late, and my feet are killing me. You’ve done me a favor.”
“Ditto,” Vicky says. “Come on, let’s get you in the car.”
With two women on each side of me, we leave the VIP area. I can’t help glancing over at the bar once more, and when I do, I wish I hadn’t.
Professor Hanley catches my eye, and he lifts a hand in greeting. He knows it’s me. Ignoring him, I turn away and trek through the packed dance floor, only taking a breath once I’m safely in the car.
One thing’s for sure: I’m never coming back to this club again.