“For you, Birthday Girl, I have as many moments as you need,” he replied, holding out his forearm.
She linked her arm through his and beamed up at him. “My, I guess it’s true what they say about you.”
“What’s that?” he asked with a slight grin.
“That you’re as smooth as that voice of yours,” she replied.
“Smooth as shit,” muttered Liam under his breath with a smirk.
“Boys, I’ll return Slade after I’m finished with him,” said Faye, over her shoulder as they began to walk away. “Oh,” she turned around. “If anyone runs into Ethan, let him know that I’m looking for him.”
“Did you try calling him?” asked Sean.
“He doesn’t carry a cell phone,” she replied. “Refuses to own one, actually.”
“Why?” asked Bradan. “I couldn’t live without mine.”
“If he doesn’t get one soon, he may not live without one either,” she replied with a straight face.
The guys laughed but something about her expression made me uneasy.
“Let’s go,” she said to Slade.
I watched as they walked away and felt another wave of envy. Not only was she everything I wasn’t, but it was obvious that she had the sexiest guy in the club wrapped around her finger. I could never compete with that.
Jimmy cleared his throat. “So, Chelsey, tell us again about your cousin.”
I told him everything I knew. After I finished, they asked if I had a picture of her.
I took out my phone and scrolled through photos I’d taken. When I came to a picture of Melody at her graduation party, I handed Liam the phone.
He bit his lip and nodded. “Yeah, actually, we did see her. Last night.”
My eyes widened. “Seriously? You did?”
“Sure did,” he replied.
“Let me see,” said Bradan, holding out his hand.
Liam handed him my phone and Jimmy also glanced at it.
“Oh yeah,” said Jimmy. “I remember that chick.” He chuckled. “Who wouldn’t?”
Bradan laughed and handed me back the phone. “I’m sure she’s fine. She was in good hands last night. Nothing to worry about.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really? With who?”
He picked up his beer and took a swig. “Slade,”
Chapter Eleven
Slade
“Who were your friends?” asked Faye as we stepped out of the V.I.P. lounge.
“Just a couple of fans,” I replied quickly. I was still stunned that Chelsey had been at our table when I’d stepped out of the bathroom. Then, when I’d sat down next to her and inhaled her human scent, it had almost been too much to handle. I was attracted to everything about her, which could be lethal for both of us.
I have to get out of this town before I do something extremely foolish...
Faye raised an eyebrow. “Just a fan… well, she obviously thinks that you’re the cat’s meow.”
I played it off. “Of course she does. All of my female fans do.”
“Yes, I’m sure they do,” she agreed.
I wondered what Faye wanted with me. Not many people made me nervous, especially a woman, but there were rumors about this one that were disturbing even for me. Crazy, dark rumors. If she hadn’t agreed to pay such a high price for our band to perform at the club, I would have never gotten within ten feet of her. The only reason we were still in Shore Lake was to sing her the Birthday song, which she’d also set up and paid for.
“In here,” she said, waving a hand towards her private office.
“Okay,” I replied, a little relieved that she wasn’t taking me into the basement. Liam had been told that there were some freaky things going on down there, including BDSM and orgies. I wasn’t into either and had no interest in seeing it live and in person.
“Close the door,” she replied, walking around her white and black marbled desk.
I did and then sat across from her in a black leather chair.
She took out a pack of cigarettes from the top drawer of her desk. “Your performance last night was incredible,” she said, lighting the end of one.
“Thank you,” I replied, leaning back in the chair as she blew out a stream of smoke. “I thought we played pretty well myself.”
She rested her chin on her hand and smiled. “So, tell me Slade, what do you think of Shore Lake?”
I shrugged. “It’s very… wildernessy.”
She nodded. “Yes. Well, you get used to it. I’m originally from Vegas.”
I’d heard that. “Oh, is that right?” I asked, feigning surprise.
She took another drag of her smoke and blew out a ring. “”Yes that is right. I have a feeling you already knew that, however.”