Chapter Twenty-Four
DANGER
Before the charity auction officially began, we took to the stage.
The audience loved our performance, delivering three songs, all Lunar’s favorites.
Throughout the performance, I focused on her, singing the lyrics with extra emphasis, knowing how much it would affect her.
She squirmed in her seat, indicating my sensual performance was having the desired effect.
It’s only a matter of time before we end up back together.
I will make sure of it.
The night is drawing to an end, and all I want is to find Lunar and talk to her about returning to the tour. I want her to understand how much she means to the band and me.
With a newfound determination in my step, I make my way down the hall to the restrooms after being unable to find her in the bustling ballroom.
As I make my way down the dimly lit corridor, it’s not the couple talking that catches my eye.
It’s the vibrant pink dress the woman is wearing.
Lunar. A man is standing close to her, engaged in conversation.
When my eyes adjust to the subdued light, I am paralyzed.
Nate. Tension hangs in the air, and it’s not only from me seeing them together.
I’m not close enough to hear what they’re saying, but their closeness surprises me, rooting me to the spot, watching in stunned silence.
Then, time stands still, and my heart leaps into my throat as I witness Nate lean forward, pressing his lips to Lunar’s. Her hands come up to his chest, and that’s all I need to see. I turn, stumbling around the corner, trying to catch my breath.
My bandmate and my girl?
My chest heaves so violently against what I just witnessed.
I thought I would reconcile with Lunar, but instead, she’s…
My head’s spinning, and I can’t walk fast enough away from the scene of their fucking betrayal.
My heart is breaking, and I have no idea how I didn’t see this coming.
I knew Nate liked her or was at least pretending to like her, but I had no idea Lunar was falling for it.
I stumble to the bar. The shine of the black counter illuminates the rows and rows of sparkling glasses hanging from the glass rack suspended from the ceiling.
This place is so perfect, it’s making what I saw even harder to stomach.
The barman glances at me. “You okay, mate?”
“No! I need a drink,” I admit.
He nods and turns, grabbing a short glass, dropping in a couple of ice cubes, then pouring in three fingers of whiskey.
“This one’s on the house,” he offers, sliding the glass over to me. I nod a thank you, lifting the glass and downing the fiery liquid in a single gulp. It sears my throat, and I don’t give a shit.
I need to get wasted, and I need it now.
“So, we’re getting drunk?” a soft voice echoes beside me.
I turn to the woman beside me. “Effa?” I ask, and she smiles.
“Hey! Didn’t know I was here, did ya? Too busy making googlies at Lunar all night.”
I tap the bar for another whiskey. The bartender understands and starts pouring.
“So, something’s wrong? Wanna talk about it?” Effa asks, picking up a glass of champagne with a strawberry floating on the top.
“No. I wanna get smashed.”
“I can help with that. How ’bout we head back to the hotel? It’s more comfortable there.” She smiles, clinking her glass against mine.
I nod, taking another long swig while admiring how pretty Effa looks tonight.
LUNAR
The gala draws to a close, and the atmosphere is one of success. The auction items fetched higher bids than we’d originally thought, and donations poured in hot and strong.
It seems the story of what happened with Stuart at the airport has shifted popular opinion my way.
Instead of being vilified, people see me as a determined woman trying to protect and provide for my family.
While it didn’t happen overnight, I am grateful that it did.
It’s a relief not to be painted a villain in people’s eyes anymore.
Techie called me when the news broke, saying the Savages were unhappy with the negative publicity, particularly Mad Dog. However, Steel has my back, and things have settled at the club. I’m glad that Steel and Techie are there when I need them.
With things seemingly sorting themselves out now, maybe I can take over the reins of the foundation again.
Luke has even contacted me and said I’m free to come back, but I want to hear the words from Danger. I want to hear that he wants me back.
I distanced myself from him and the band for their protection, and I shouldn’t have done that.
I wanted what was best for him. Now, there’s a weird barrier between us.
An unknown as to whether he wants things to go back to the way they were.
I know I do. I miss the band so much, but I miss Danger even more.
All I want is to be back on tour, helping them with everything while running the foundation from the road.
With the gala now over, I won’t have it to occupy my mind, and I’m scared I will fall into a heap and lose myself.
Determined to make things right, I set out to find him.
But as I explore the gradually emptying hallway, I can’t find him anywhere.
He must have left, which is disappointing because he left without saying goodbye.
I realize I might have been preoccupied when he intended to leave, so I understand his actions.
Let’s face it, I’ve been under the pump for most of the night.
However, I know we’re staying in the same hotel, so I’ll find him in the morning.
Right now, I am exhausted and desperately need some sleep.
***
After an extremely restless night, fighting the urge to call Danger and chat with him, it’s morning, and I can’t wait any longer.
Dressing in something casual but still sexy enough for him not to be able to resist me, I make my way up to the top floor.
I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, since I don't know which room he’s in, but once I get up there, I can always call him.
The elevator chimes, and as I step out, Ryan stands at the door, waiting to get in. His eyes open wide, and I race into his arms, giving him a big hug that I missed giving him last night.
“Hey, it’s so good to see you,” I exclaim as he holds me tightly.
“It’s so good to see you. What are you doing up here?” he asks, pulling me back.
I smile. “I came looking for Danger, but then I realized I had no idea which room number. I haven’t really thought this through,” I admit.
“Well, lucky for you, I know his room number. And not only that, I have a spare key.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.
Gawking, I chuckle. “I can’t just walk in there.”
“Yes, you can. Surprise him. I’m sure he’s hungover, so go in and make him feel better with your wonderful powers of pussy persuasion.”
Rolling my eyes with a giggle, he hands me the key card, so I look down at the number and chew on my bottom lip. “Are you sure I should just let myself in?”
Ryan nods. “Lunar, you and Danger are meant to be together. Go and fix this shit between you two. Please… for the love of God.” He turns me, pushing me toward the hall.
I glance back at him. “Thank you.”
He smiles. “Thank me when you’re both finished fucking each other’s brains out, and you’re back on tour with us.”
I turn and walk toward Danger’s room, a sense of nervous excitement washing over me. I’m worried about letting myself in, but if Ryan says it’s okay, I am sure it will be. More importantly, I hope it surprises Danger and that we can return to business as it should be.
I step up to his room, take a deep breath, then hold the card up to the scanner.
It clicks, and I open the door. It’s pretty dark, so he must still be in bed, but the curtains are open slightly, letting a sliver of light through the room.
I tread quietly down the hallway, careful not to wake him, and step into the bedroom area.
My smile quickly fades when I look at the bed, and then it drops off my face and falls straight to the floor when I spot another figure nestled under the sheets beside him.
My heart pounds ferociously as I inch closer, desperate to see who it is.
That’s when I see the flurry of blonde hair.
There is no mistaking the woman.
It’s Effa.
In bed.
With Danger.
A loud gasp reverberates around the room, and my body slumps as I see them together.
They’re not cuddling. They’re not even touching.
Effa has the blankets pulled up to her chin, but they are in the same bed.
My chest throbs with painful heartache, and hot tears descend my cheeks, burning a trail on my skin.
My breathing becomes harsh as I look at the mess before me.
Danger rolls over in the bed, his eyes open, staring at me.
His eyes widen when he takes in my state, and he shifts slightly, showing me he’s shirtless under the covers.
It makes me shudder. A loud sob escapes me before my hand reaches my mouth.
He looks from me to Effa and then back to me, furrowing his brows, but says nothing.
He appears to have no idea what to say. The fact that he’s saying nothing makes me think he’s guilty.
“God, you’re a prick,” I murmur so I don’t wake his new flame, but then turn on my heel and bolt for the door.
“Lunar,” he calls out before I pull it open forcefully, racing out into the hall, the door closing behind me with a thud. I need to get away from that horrifying scene. Pushing on the button frantically, I cry hard, trying to rid the image of a peacefully sleeping Effa in Danger’s bed.
The absence of his footsteps behind me speaks volumes as the elevator doors slide open, and I step inside, pressing the close button multiple times. The doors slowly slide shut, and I can’t help it. Falling to the floor of the elevator, the tears stream down my face.
He has broken me.
Completely.
The fear of him being with Effa was my worst nightmare, and he’s gone and done it. Who knows, perhaps he’s been with her the whole four weeks I was away.
We were doomed from the moment I left.
I should have known.
My stomach churns in gut-wrenching sobs before the elevator doors open once more.
I can’t even gather enough strength to look up, let alone stand.
“What the fuck?” Ryan’s voice reverberates in the confined space.
I glance up as he steps inside the elevator, and he’s by my side in an instant, picking me up into his arms and carrying me out of the elevator into the lobby and over to a two-seater couch.
He sits with me in his lap, and he smooths my hair back from my face while I continue to cry, hanging onto his neck.
“Lunar, talk to me.”
I snuggle into him, and he holds me tightly as I try to calm down. He’s attempting to soothe me by patting my back and using soothing words, but I can’t stop thinking about what I’ve just witnessed, even with my eyes tightly shut.
I slowly calm down and am finally able to spit out a few words, “I went into his room… and Effa… s-she was in his b-bed.”
Ryan tenses and exhales, then leans down to kiss my head. “Fuck, Lunar, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I would’ve never given you the key if I’d known. I’m gonna fucking kill him.”
My sobs turn into soft cries while people walk by, glancing at us strangely, but I don’t care. Ryan is my comfort.
“I need to go, like now. I don’t even care about my stuff. My mum can bring it. I have to get out of here,” I blurt out.
He stands, letting my feet fall to the floor. “Are you okay to stand?”
I nod, wiping my face. “Sorry, I fell apart on you.”
“That’s totally fine. Don’t worry. Though, me and Danger are gonna have some strong fucking words.”
“Don’t even worry. If he wants Effa, she can have him. Let’s be honest. This was never going to work anyway.”
He screws up his face like he hates that idea. “Want me to get you a cab?”
Ryan wraps his arm around my shoulders after I nod, and then he walks with me to the front of the hotel.
“Can you let my mum know I’ll meet her at the airport and to bring my stuff?”
He leans in to kiss my cheek. “Yes. Shit, I’m so sorry, Lunar.”
“Me too. I loved hanging with you guys. Honestly, it’s been the best time of my life.”
“We loved having you around. Don’t lose contact, okay?” He knows my words are final as he waves his hand to the passing cab. “I’m gonna miss you.”
I clear my throat to stop myself from bursting into tears again. “I’ll miss you, too, Ryan, and I hope you find that happiness you deserve.”
The cab pulls up, and I open the back door.
Turning, I kiss Ryan’s cheek. “Thank you. Thanks for everything.”
His eyes are somber as I slide into the back of the cab. He closes the door for me, and I glance up at him one last time, my palm pressed to the window as the car pulls away.
Away from Recoil.
Away from Danger.
For the very last time.
And the pain sears into me like nothing I have ever felt before.