Chapter 5
Serenity
Halfway through my dance, it transformed from excitement to chaos.
High-pitched screams rang out from the back of the club and in an instant the lights were on, the whole place lit up.
What could possibly be going on? I searched for Hunter and found him where the screams were coming from, back by the bar, with Bryce Harding—who must’ve just watched my dance. Oh God!
My heart sank, knowing my chance at Midas had just officially vanished. But what worried me more was Mr. Harding was hurt. His face was twisting in pain and he was almost on his knees, clinging to the bar, struggling to steady himself. I couldn’t see any blood or visible injury though.
Several feet away, one of the club’s waitresses, Tara, writhed on the floor, clutching her hand to her chest.
Had some drunken electricity elemental zapped them? But then Franco and Stratos would have been catapulting the drunk through the club’s front doors, not standing there, trying to keep everyone away from Mr. Harding.
I glanced around, trying to figure out what had happened and if I could be of help and… Oh shit.
Oh shit!
Conrad. In a booth by the back. My heart hammered.
He stared at me as he lifted a crimson cocktail in a toast. My hand subconsciously found its way to my neck, clutching the spot where he’d ripped into it.
He smiled with elongated fangs, eyeing me with hungry, red-rimmed eyes. My neck and forehead turned clammy. I stood there, wobbling in my boots, unable to take a step, swaying dizzily as he pinned me with his gaze. Nausea pooled in my stomach and I leaned forward, thinking I might heave.
He placed his unfinished cocktail down, rose from the booth and drifted toward the stage in his black tailored suit. I was still trying not to fall over. My breath came in short bursts. He stopped and looked up at me. “It’s been too long.”
I whimpered then clenched my teeth, not wanting to give him the gift of my fear.
“Wondered where you’d gotten off to.” He smirked as he reached inside the folds of his jacket and pulled out a wallet. He plucked a bill and tossed it on the stage. “Until next time.” He bared his fangs then laughed as he strolled toward the lobby.
He’d left a hundred-dollar bill. He used to tip me a lot in the den too—not that I could do anything with the money there, and he’d known that. The owners would just take it from me and be eager for the next time he came.
I finally found the strength to move. I turned and stumbled my way off stage, through the curtains. I burst into the back of the large dressing room, which was currently full of confused-looking dancers.
Gigi jerked her head back, her nose wrinkled. “It sounded like they were really into their first human dance.”
My knees shook and I gripped the edge of the makeup counter for support.
“And Mr. Moneybags is here too. Hasn’t been here for ages. What the hell did you do anyway? And why’s the music off?”
Scrambling for words, I stammered a reply. “Noth—nothing. I—”
Hunter’s voice boomed from behind me. “She didn’t do anything, so don’t ask again.”
Gigi huffed and put a hand on her hip.
“Girls, there’s been an emergency,” Hunter said. “Tonight’s not happening. I closed the club. You’ll all get a thousand dollars wired tomorrow. You can go home. Now, please.”
“Okay, boss!” several of them called out with gratitude in their voices. All the girls but Gigi broke into chatter about what to do with their free night as they started grabbing their things.
I released my grip on the counter and turned to find Hunter right at my shoulder, his handsome face reddened by stress.
“Sorry you can’t do your other dance. But did something else happen?
You look shaky.” He reached out for my arm in an instinctive manner, then paused and dropped his hand, for which I was grateful.
I didn’t think I could stomach anyone touching me right now. Not even kind, gentle Hunter.
“It’s no problem.” I swallowed. “Is everything all right? I saw Mr. Harding out there. Maybe hurt?”
It was like I’d summoned him by name. Mr. Harding appeared behind Hunter, half-bent over, his skin pale and his jaw clenched in pain. He was supported by Franco, who had put on thick gloves and had a hand under his arm.
Hunter shifted over to give them room and gave Mr. Harding a fond but stern look. “What the hell are you doing here? I told you to rest in my office.”
“I had to check on Serenity,” Mr. Harding said, giving Hunter a determined look, but his voice was so weak. He straightened up with a wince, nearly as tall as Hunter now, and locked his eyes on me. “Are you okay?”
Me, okay?
Oh no, he’d seen me with Conrad. My knees gave out and I collapsed into one of the dressing room chairs as the last of the girls but Gigi left the room.
Hunter’s eyes darted to me, sweeping over every inch of my body as if to make sure I was in one piece. “Please tell me why you looked so shaken up back here.”
“Just someone…” I shook my head, unable to get out more words.
Mr. Harding took a deep breath, forcing his jaw to relax. “It looked like some vamp might’ve been”—he took another breath—“might’ve been harassing Serenity. He came up to the stage.”
“Harassing her!?” Hunter raged.
“It’ll be fine.” I looked between them both and tried to school my features since I didn’t believe the words I’d just said. I just couldn’t process everything with Conrad right now. “Are you okay, Mr. Harding?”
“I will be. Unfortunately, this is nothing new.” A flush was lingering across his pale cheeks.
“I’m very sorry something happened to you and Tara out there.”
“I’m not sure I deserve your concern. I disrupted things.” His cheeks turned cherry red. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that or why he seemed so embarrassed. He tried to take a step toward the chair next to me but stumbled and Franco tightened his grip on him.
“Will Tara be okay?” I glanced between Hunter and Mr. Harding again.
“She’s on the way to ER, thank goodness,” Mr. Harding answered for them, leaning into Franco. “They’ll help manage her pain.”
“And you’ll be okay?”
From where she’d been waiting by her makeup chair, Gigi cleared her throat. “Maybe I can help?” She pranced over. “Sounds like you had a rough night, Mr. Harding.”
“It has been one hell of a night.” He gave her a wary look.
“I’m Gigi. Need any help getting home?”
“He doesn’t.” Hunter took a step closer to Mr. Harding.
“But he might want some company, boss. I know he used to pay for it and I’m happy to help.” She ran a hand from the hip of her rhinestone-studded bodysuit up to her cleavage then held it out, wiggling her fingers. “I can wear gloves.”
“No and don’t ask again. Time to go, Gigi.” Hunter pointed toward the door.
“Fine, fine. But he knows where to find me.” She sashayed away. The poor guy looked like he’d been hit by a bus, and she was offering special services. I stifled a scowl at her, my mind too overwhelmed to focus on her lack of class.
“I still need some answers about what vampire was bothering you and why.” Hunter glanced at both me and Mr. Harding. “I think the three of us should talk.”
I nodded, agreeing without any fuss, knowing Hunter wasn’t going to just let what Mr. Harding had said and seen go.
“Privately. In my office.”