Chapter 41
No matter what Nala did, she found herself in an infinite loop of toxic thoughts.
Ravenwood will want me dead. I have to meet Maggie and Jay, whom I barely know but are somehow involved in this.
Ravenwood will want me dead… Nala took multiple deep breaths.
Not even when Varen crawled into bed and made love to her did Nala feel better about the situation.
See, there are two problems here. The first was Xan Ravenwood. That was obvious. The other was this supposed swinging with Jay and Maggie.
Nala was a jealous creature, after all.
She didn’t think she was until now. With her previous boyfriend, everything was relaxed and…
detached. So what if he quickly moved on after her?
They had never been serious. Nala had never been in love with him.
Not like she was in love with Varen. Between the girl at the bookstore and the idea of her with Maggie…
with her natural beauty… and clearly knowing what she wanted at any moment…
no matter how much Varen told her that nothing would happen that night, Nala couldn’t help but imagine her girlfriend fucking another woman, and the thought made her livid.
So wound up in these thoughts was she that she never stopped to think about what would happen on her end.
Supposedly, she would have to deal with Jay.
A man she hardly acknowledged because his wife overshadowed him so fantastically.
And a man in general. Nala couldn’t imagine it now.
She was so deep in Varen’s orbit that no other type of person existed.
“Would you calm down?” Varen said in her car the night of their meeting.
They were both dressed as if they were going to The Aviary, with Varen in her revealing suit and Nala in a slinky black dress that accentuated what curves she had.
Varen had declared her “stunning” before they left her loft.
“Nothing’s going to happen. I promise you.”
“What if they have other ideas?”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Do you know something that I don’t?”
“No. I have a gut feeling.”
“Oh, well, if you have a feeling.”
“Stop it.” Varen stopped at a red light. “You’re being irrational, which is the last thing you want to be tonight.”
“Shut up.”
She did, but not because Nala told her to. If anything, Varen was probably ready to give her a few more testy words.
They were meeting Maggie and Jay at a hotel.
One that Nala and Varen happened to stay at when they were playing hotel roulette right after Robin’s attack.
When Maggie gave me that picture… Varen claimed to have no further information about that.
All Nala could do was try not to think about it.
With any luck, she would press her for information.
Did Jay know anything? Would Nala be able to get anything out of him?
They checked in using their Aviary names Varen and Nightingale. They were informed that the rest of their “party” awaited them in their room, and were given copies of the key. As they entered the elevator, Nala gave Varen one final admonishment.
“If you stick any of your body parts in any of her orifices, you will never know the end of my fury.”
“Duly noted.”
She turned to Varen. “Why are you so nonchalant about this? Do you want me to sleep with Jay? Doesn’t the thought of him slamming me against the wall, against the bed, or even against the floor make you rage with jealousy?”
“Not really. Because I know that’s not going to happen.”
“You’re driving me nuts right now.”
“I do what I can.”
They watched the floor numbers tick by in silence. Or at least they did until Varen broke said silence again.
“Slamming you against the floor…” she chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
The elevator doors opened. Varen stepped out, glancing over and extending her hand to Nala. “That man won’t go anywhere near you, and not out of fear for me. Trust me, Nala, Jay has no interest in you.”
Well, that was almost insulting!
Before Nala could dwell on any of it, however, they were at their assigned room, Varen inserting the key after giving a hearty knock announcing their arrival.
Sure enough, Jay and Maggie sat side by side on a couch, looking cozy.
They were not the only ones there.
“Why, hello,” Hawk said, coming dangerously close to where Varen and Nala stood in the tiny foyer. Shivers as sharp as daggers stabbed Nala in the spine. “So glad that you could join the fun tonight. Hope you don’t mind that I’m here… to supervise.”
Everyone exchanged glances, including Jay and Maggie, who almost looked apologetic. What is going on here? Nala never had any idea anymore.
“Certainly was not expecting you, that’s for sure.” Varen helped Nala with her coat before leading her into the main room. Hawk stared after them, a devilish grin crossing her hawkish face. “I was under the impression that these were discreet affairs… no pun intended.”
Hawk rejoined them in the living room. “Things have changed recently. I’m sure you’ve heard about what’s happened to our poor Robin.”
All eyes were on Varen and Nala. Of course we’ve heard!
It happened at our place, and you did it!
Nala had to use every practiced lie in her body to not give herself away.
“We have. Are you guarding us tonight?” Varen didn’t mention she had her own security team circling the perimeter of the hotel, on call for the night.
“You don’t think one of our own attacked her, do you?” Maggie asked Hawk. Balls. She’s got them.
Hawk was not perturbed. Her feathery mask spread across her face as she forced a polite smile. “It’s highly possible. After finding out where she was found…” She glanced at Varen. “Well, let’s say that Master Xan Ravenwood doesn’t want to take any chances.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t.” Nala squeezed Varen’s arm before going to sit on the couch next to Maggie and Jay.
“I can’t blame him, either. I think it’s great that he sent you here to watch out for us.”
Nightingale was too good at lying – because that’s who was pulling these antics.
Nightingale knew how important it was to deflect off herself and flatter the assassin in the room.
Has she been sent to kill us all? Maggie stiffened next to Nala.
Is she afraid, too? Because deep inside… Nala was petrified.
“You’re too kind. I’m sure tonight will be fine.”
Hawk perched on the edge of a chair as Varen slowly joined her girlfriend on the couch.
“Pretend I’m not even here. I want you four to enjoy yourselves as you usually would. In fact…”
She stood again, heading toward the door.
“I’ll be right outside should you need anything. Have fun!”
All four of The Aviary members sat in the knowledge that she could come back in whenever she wanted. Nevertheless, Nala released a pent-up breath.
“Well,” Maggie said, pulling her skirt down toward her knees. Nobody touched anyone, much to Nala’s relief. “That was most unexpected. Anyone want a glass of wine? Because I am dying for one…” she caught herself. “I mean…”
“Great idea.” Varen rummaged for some glasses. “Wine is a terrific idea. In fact, let’s have a toast. To all that happens tonight.”
She poured four glasses and passed them around.
Nobody was in a hurry to drink it. Is this poisoned?
Nala sniffed it. Smelled like regular wine, but who knew?
She had no idea what to look out for. Maybe it was spiked with the shit that killed her sister.
Wouldn’t that be something? Slightly ironic. She hated irony.
In a brazen move, Maggie took the first sip, her eyes locked on everyone around her.
“Mm. Delicious.” She lowered her glass. Nala couldn’t help but continue to stare.
Well… is she going to die? When a minute passed and she appeared unfazed, the others drank as well.
At least they were on the same page. A page of fear.
“Should we get started?” Varen finally asked. “I have a feeling we’re not people who talk much. Perhaps we should get straight to it.”
Nala took another swig of wine and shot her a look. Don’t be too eager. She needed more wine already. Especially if she was going to watch her girlfriend go into a bedroom with another woman. Especially if she was going into a bedroom with a man.
“Yes,” Maggie finally said, uncrossing her legs and standing. “Let’s get to it. I think we’ve all been looking forward to tonight.”
Speak for yourself. Here Nala was, watching Varen hook her arm with Maggie’s as if that were the most natural thing to do.
They walked like this into one of two bedrooms, shutting the door quietly behind them.
Jay followed suit, getting up, putting down his half-consumed glass of wine, and extending his hand to Nala.
“I know we haven’t spoken much to each other since meeting a few weeks ago,” he said with a smooth, almost melodic voice.
How have I never noticed the way he speaks before?
“I hope that you will join me in the other room, though. I’d like to get to know you.”
Nala was too uptight to enjoy such a flirtation. “If you know what I mean.”
Nala tentatively took his hand and stood, pulling down the skirt of her dress as Maggie had. Was she trying to be modest as well? In this sort of situation? Nala glanced at the bedroom door. What were they doing in there?
“Don’t mind them, Gale,” Jay said, putting a strong hand on her. Oh my God. Please don’t kill me. Please don’t make me get Hawk and put my life in her hands. Please don’t. “Let them have their fun, and we’ll have ours. We can compare notes later.”
He said this so loudly that his voice bounced around like a confused echo in the main chamber of the room.
Jay opened the other bedroom door and helped Nala in, quick to shut and lock the door behind them.
Here we go… Nala didn’t know what to expect.
Should she be worried that Jay wanted her?
Even if she were interested, Nala had made such a big deal about Varen and Maggie that it would be most hypocritical for her to go ahead and stop caring.
Nala sat on the edge of the bed. Jay stood between her and the door, hands in his pockets and looking like he was in control. Nala let out another breath. That got Jay’s attention.
“You can calm down, Gale. We’re not going to do anything.”
She looked up again. “We’re not? Then what are we doing?”
Jay put his ear to the door. “Well, right now I’m suspecting that my partner and yours are having a very deep discussion about what’s been going on lately.”
“That so?”