A Hollow Cry (After Life Book 1)

by Bee Douglas

  “When a moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”

  Her dramatic little performance brings a smile to my face. That’s the thing with Nora. She’s been through so much these past couple of weeks, but she can still find a moment of happiness. She spins around, practically jumping out of her skin when she sees me standing there.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” Her hand clenches over her heart.

  I shake my head. Killing her is the last thing I want to do right now. I walk closer, trying to see what she’s making.

  “Oh, no you don’t!” She holds both of her hands up and stops me. “Go sit down.”

  Her little fight makes me laugh. Always so scrappy. “Just let me see.” She shakes her head; stray strands of her hair go flying. “How do you know if I’ll eat it?”

  “You’ll eat anything,” she laughs, rolling her eyes.

  “But what if I won’t eat this?”

  “Tough tits.” She places her hands on my chest and pushes against me. I give in to the little Banshee and walk backwards.

  I let out a dramatic sigh and surrender. “Fine.”

  She flashes a winning grin before she turns back to the stove. I take up a seat on the island and watch as she flits around, finishing up dinner. Nora’s an excellent multitasker, but I already know that. She juggles finishing up whatever’s in the pot, adding last minute touches to the pan from the oven, and plating her masterpiece.

  It takes about fifteen more minutes before she walks over, carrying a plate in each hand. When she sets mine down, my stomach grumbles loudly. She lets out a tiny squeak of a laugh.

  “It looks delicious,” I tell her. Hell, she could’ve made chicken nuggets and macaroni and I’d be impressed. Even though the chicken is covered in a creamy green sauce, it’s probably the best looking meal I’ve ever seen. She’s paired potatoes and broccoli with it.

  As she climbs up next to me, she hands me a fork. “I hope you like it.”

  I don’t like it. The chicken is tender. Whatever she put in the sauce is like heaven in my mouth. I love it.

  We eat in silence. And after I scarf down the first plate, I go for seconds. She smiles as I walk back to my seat. Once we’re done, I don’t let her get up out of the chair.

  “You made dinner,” I tell her. “Leave the cleaning up to me.”

  She’s reluctant, but she lets me.

  “I’m glad you liked it,” she says as I get the dirty dishes together.

  “You’re a really good cook, Nora.” I glance over my shoulder just in time to see the way a shy smile crept across her lips. “I’ve never had someone cook for me before.”

  She gasps. “What? Never?” I shake my head, loading everything into the dishwasher. “We’ll have to do this again. Once a week!”

  Closing up the door, I press start. The hum of the machine fills the room. I wipe my hands off with the towel and look at her. As much as I’d like that, I don’t know how much longer she’ll be in my care. For all we know, she can wake up tomorrow morning and her inner demon will be fully charged, ready to go. I’ll be damned if the sight of her in my kitchen doesn’t make me want to drag this out as long as I can. She’s taken this cold apartment for one and breathed life into it – into me.

  “I’d love that.”

  13

  Nora

  Tonight’s the night. No matter how many times Kane tells me not to worry, it doesn’t help. My heart’s practically beating out of my chest. I’ve never been to this bar. Aggie has tried on several occasions to get in, but it’s harder than it looks. I guess I know why now. Aside from it being a place for demons to dwell, the atmosphere is one of a kind. I’ve heard stories of how the theme changes. When I walked in today, it was as if I stepped back in time. With leather seats, low key lights, and a grand piano on the stage, it’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in.

  The owner of the bar is a friend of Kane’s, and he made a back room into a dressing room for me. The racks of clothes Luna purchased were already waiting, along with an endless supply of makeup and shoes.

  I followed Luna’s strict instructions with my wardrobe. The red dress fits perfectly, which I pair it with sky high heels - the bottoms match the color of the dress. I apply my makeup in an old Hollywood style mirror. With thick lashes and winged eyeliner, I don’t recognize myself.

  “All you have to do is sing,” Kane told me before we left the apartment. Great.

  A knock comes to the door, startling me. I call out a shaky, “Come in!”

  Kane steps through the doorway. I’ve gotten used to seeing him in relaxed clothes: sweats, jeans t-shirts. Tonight, he wears a dress shirt and a tailored dinner jacket. My fingers itch, urging me to run them down the fabric.

  Kane’s eyes trail up the dress, causing my body to shiver. Clearing his throat, he takes a step closer. “You look beautiful.”

  His thick voice does things - delicious things - to me. “Thank you.”

  He reaches up and brushes back a strand of my hair. Air hitches in my throat. “There are a few people I want to introduce you to.” I nod.

  Kane slips through the door once more, casting me a glance before shutting it. I can make out the faint sound of piano keys and the echoing noise of a crowd. A rush of nerves washes over me. I’ve sang in front of people before, but that’s usually after a drink and surrounded by familiar faces. This is entirely different. I wonder, if on the sign outside, there’s a tag line under my name: ‘Beware: her voice is to die for - literally.’ I groan, closing my eyes tightly.

  This situation is fucked up. I miss my life. Anytime I think of my sweet, sweet Hannah, it hurts. An aching pain leaves me feeling numb for hours afterward. I try my best to avoid thinking of her often. I have no doubt in my mind that Aggie’s either extremely worried or murder plotting angry. With my luck she’ll be both, and I’ll be in another world of Hell when I get out of this mess. If I get out of it.

  Another knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. Kane reenters, followed by a stout man wearing a bow tie and vest. His belly hangs over his belt a bit.

  “Nora, this is Quill.”

  I hold my hand out. Instead of shaking it, the man, Quill, places a shot glass in my grasp. “For the nerves,” he says smiling at me. I bring the glass to my nose, smelling the clear liquid. My stomach recoils. I lock eyes with Kane, who nods his head. I throw back the shot, hissing at the burn it leaves. Tequila. “‘Atta girl!” Quill laughs at my repulsed face.

  “Quill runs the bar at the Playground. You can accept drinks from either him or me, but no one else.” Kane’s voice is stern, bringing back flashes of how he manhandled Raina. He turns his attention to the bar back. “And when she’s had enough, she’s done.”

  He tries to laugh off the warning glare, but his hesitation to speak is blatant. “She’ll be fine.”

  “He’s a demon, along with a few others you’ll meet.” I still cannot fathom that demons and monsters under the bed exist. Demons, souls, and bears! Oh, my! “Luna is a mastermind at her skill set, same as Quill.”

  Quill lets out a low whistle. “Ain’t that for sure. I deal in gluttony. I leave the kinky stuff to other people.”

  “Gluttony? Like eating too much?”

  “Or drinking.” I glance down at the empty shot glass in my hand, blood draining from my body. “Don’t worry, princess. You’re in good hands. Everyone is scared shitless of your body guard over here. They wanna stay on his good side.”

  I look over at Kane, who’s scrolling through his phone. I will never forget the first time I fully saw him. His eyes always hold a menacing quality to them. Mixed with his temper and sharp tone, the man’s lethal. I’m just happy that in our time together, I’ve gotten to see a different side of him.

  “Well, thank you.” I hand back the small glass. “I appreciate the kindness.”

  He offers me a wink before leaving my makeshift dressing room. Before I can say anything, two more bodies make their way inside - two m
en. One is of Asian descent and dressed to the nines. The other is a modern day Casanova, a cheeky smile’s plastered on his face.

  “Good evening, miss.” Don Juan tilts his head in greeting, the thick mop of curls dance with the movement.

  I look to Kane. “Sebastian. He deals in greed,” he explains. His eyes never leave the man.

  “Baz.” He flashes Kane a cocky smile.

  The other man steps forward, oblivious to the stench of testosterone clouding the air. He takes my hand in his and kisses the ridge of knuckles.

  “I’d like to formally welcome you to the Devil’s Playground,” he speaks, each word delicately formed. “It is my pride - my joy.”

  “You must be Xi.” The man smiles brightly. I gesture around the room. “Thank you for this. It’s too much.”

  He takes in the vanity and suede chaise, eyeing it with distaste. “It’ll have to do.” Xi offers a wicked smile.

  Another knock comes to the door. Holy shit. Any more people in this room and I might as well climb up and sit in Kane’s lap.

  The three men stare at me.

  “I said that out loud, didn’t I?” Xi nods. Baz lets out a bellow of a laugh. And Kane, well... he merely looks at me. His eyes are far from menacing.

  A woman pokes her in. She’s gorgeous. Not the run of the mill gorgeous either. Her legs are a mile long and the skin tight dress she wears only accentuates them. She has sky high cheekbones and lips that are probably in a permanent pout. From her swept back hair and dark makeup, nothing is out of place.

  “They’re just about ready for you,” she says, her voice holding a sensual rasp. Her statement is directed to Kane. She pays no mind to the other men in the room. He thanks her, and before leaving, she gives me a once over. Her cheeks suck in, making her lips pout out even more. Baz follows her out.

  “Do you have that set list I inquired about?” Xi asks. I dig through my bag and take out the napkin I jotted a list down on. He takes the crumpled up paper and casts me a sly smile. “I think you’ve made some tasteful choices.” He gives Kane a curt nod and also leaves, shutting the door behind him.

  My lungs deflate like a balloon. Kane eyes me with a cocked eyebrow.

  “I’m okay.” No I’m not. “It’s just singing.” Unless I kill someone, and then it’s murder. “I just need to breathe.” And throw up.

  He takes a closer, his eyes molten copper. This man is so handsome that it’s cruel. “I will be in the crowd,” he says. I bite down on my bottom lip and nod my head. “You’ll be great.”

  I walk out with Kane. He steals to the left, while I go right. My heart beats a million miles a minute and my hands are coated in sweat. Breathe, I tell myself. I peer out past the thick red curtain. Several lights shine down, putting Bernie’s makeshift spotlights to shame. Taking one final breath, I step out on stage.

  There are so many people, and I don’t recognize a single one of them. Toward the back of the lounge room, I can make out Quill’s figure flitting around and serving drinks. Other than that, there’s no one else I know.

  The sound of the music beginning startles me. It’s the opening to the first song on the list. Stepping up to the old style microphone, I take one final breath and give it all I have.

  “When the days are cold and the cards all fold.”

  I do my best to steady the shake in my voice. The man playing piano smiles at me. Another face I don’t know, but the kind gestures helps to relax me.

  “But with the beast inside; there’s nowhere we can hide.”

  I spy Kane leaning against the bar top, looking up at me. His face lacks any emotion, but his eyes watch me closely. A predator honing in on its prey.

  “No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed.”

  A woman walks up to him. It’s the one that knocked on the dressing room - the walking sex stick. She leans in close and places her hand on his chest. Whatever she whispers in his ears pulls his attention away. His hand slides down the open back of her dress and a weight in my stomach drops.

  “Look into my eyes. It’s where my demons hide.”

  I look away from them. In my stomach, jealousy dances with the shot of tequila. I notice that everyone has their eyes on me. They’re all transfixed.

  And that’s when it hits me. I have blown off this entire experiment, not thinking anything would come from it. But I was probably killing someone with each word I sing, especially since I have absolutely no clue what the hell I’m doing. These poor people. They came to Xi’s bar to enjoy the atmosphere and hear me sing, not to be killed. I know for a fact they don’t know the real purpose of the Devil’s Playground.

  Tears threaten to fall. I squeeze my eyes shut and block out all their faces. I keep them closed for the rest of the song, giving myself over to the music. When the music starts to die, I open them. No one appears to be dead. No one screams. That relieves me. But as I scan the audience, there’s no Kane in sight. Quill’s still mixing drinks. I find Baz in the corner talking to a group of men. But no Kane. And no sexy vixen.

  ...

  By the time my set it done, my nerves are shot. My emotions are void, leaving me unaffected by the round of applause I receive. Nonetheless, I smile and thank them all.

  Xi’s waiting for me at the side of the stage. He leans in and kisses me in the cheek. “Nora, that was delightful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Your voice is unlike anything I ever heard.”

  I offer him a small smile, and he continues singing my praises as he walks me back to the dressing room. By the time I’m inside with the door shut, any lasting energy has drained from his body.

  I wipe off the makeup, smearing the lipstick. Between the makeup and the dress, I don’t look like myself. It’s my eyes and my nose, but it’s not me. It’s as if I put on a mask. Removing any trace of the façade, I pull a Clark Kent, now wearing sweats and a face free of makeup.

  Yet again, a knock comes to the door. If I wasn’t as exhausted as I am, I would’ve walked over and opened it. But I don’t. I sit in the director chair and holler, “Come in.”

  Kane walks in. He looks as perfect as he did before. “Are you ready?” I nod, forcing myself to stand and walk to the door. “You sang beautifully.”

  “How would you know?” The snide comment shoots out of my mouth, causing his brow to furrow.

  “I was in the audience, Nora.”

  Sighing, I look up at him. His lips are parted. I want to reach out and run my finger along his full bottom lip to see if it’s as soft at it looks. “You left halfway through the first song.”

  Awareness dawns on him. “I did and I apologize. There was an issue that needed to be resolved.”

  The issue being your cock needing sucked or something, I think. I want to scold myself for feeling the way I do, but I don’t.

  I lead the both of us outside. The night sky is cloudy, hiding the stars and most of the moon. The temperature has dropped drastically.

  “Who is that?” I ask. The girl Kane had disappeared with stands with a man. His back is pressed against an outer wall of the bar; her fingers run up his chest.

  Kane clears his throat. “She’s nobody.”

  While I want his nonchalant answer to cheer me up, it doesn’t. It shouldn’t. He’s not mine. He never will be.

  14

  Kane

  Nora is quiet the entire way back to the apartment. She keeps her head pressed against the window; the street lights cast shadows over her face. I wish I could say this is the first time we’ve rode in silence, but it’s not.

  Nora had been nervous her first night. That was obvious. But ever since she climbed off the stage a week ago, something in her has changed. The first couple of nights she would talk to those that approached her and smile at each compliment. But the girl riding next to me is a ghost of her former self. She barely talks. Getting her to smile is a daunting task, but even then, it doesn’t light up her eyes. At the apartment, she claims to be tired and stays in the bedroom. I ha
ven’t pried. She’s a grown woman and she needs her space.

  While keeping my distance, I’ve been working my connections. It’s hard to find a loyal set of ears in this line of work, especially without paying some price. I’ve been doing the best I can, even finding cohorts in the most unlikely places. Vivian may be a snake, but her scales hold many secrets. I know my disappearances haven’t had the best impression on Nora, but everything I’ve been doing is for her sake.

  Tonight was a rarity for the Playground. Luna stopped in, joining me in a booth to watch Nora perform. She was dressed in silk and sipped at a glass of wine.

  “Did something happen?” she questions, wiping the remnants of lipstick off the wine glass.

  I glance up, checking for any sign of danger. There is none. My gaze drifts over to Nora, whose eyes hold nothing but sadness. When she hits certain notes, I fear tears will soon track down her cheeks. “Not that I know of.”

  “Kane,” Luna clucks her tongue at me, “that is not the fiery human I dressed just days ago.”

  Luna’s right. Nora has such a strong soul, but this isn’t her. It’s as if someone slipped into her skin and bears every ounce of her sadness on the outside.

  “Do you want to stop and pick up something for dinner?” It’s pushing late in the night. I’m not particularly hungry, but if it means an end to this impenetrable silence, I’ll eat a few bites of something. “Nora?”

  “No.” She doesn’t look at me

  My patience is easily worn, but I try my damnedest to keep it tethered down when it comes to her. In the pit of my stomach though, I can feel it coming unwound.

  Singh barely has the car at a complete stop before Nora throws the door open. He whips his head around, catching my gaze.

  “Goodnight,” I grumble.

  He drives off once I get out, taking advantage of his dismissal.

  Nora doesn’t wait for me. She heads straight upstairs, leaving me to wait for the elevator to come back to the ground floor. She’s been silent and has kept to herself, but now she’s just being petty. That pisses me off.