Escape Magic

by Michelle Garren Flye

  Stacey relaxed in her seat, wondering what exactly was wrong with her, anyway. She was a tough kid from a rough upbringing. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t let anyone boss her around, and if she got thrown out while in the quest for a story, she wouldn’t care.

  But I’m not here to find out how he does it. I’m here to find out what was done to him. That’s my story, and if I get thrown out now, it’ll ruin everything.

  She was prevaricating, and she knew it. She didn’t want to know how the magic was done. If she did, she’d never be able to believe, never be able to experience that sense of wonder that, to be honest, Andre had first woken in her. She smiled a little, remembering that show. It had been a rare treat for her and Bella back during her senior year in college. She’d won the tickets on a radio show and gone, never expecting the show to work its way past her cynical exterior and touch something else, some carefully guarded desire to believe. She shook off the memory. She couldn’t afford to believe in magic when she’d been given so many reasons not to during her life.

  The finale was a spectacular illusion in which Andre performed an escape worthy of Houdini himself while hanging upside down over a tank of water while a flame slowly burned through the rope. A curtain was drawn around Andre, and a circle of witnesses surrounded the area. Stacey watched the rope jerk with his movements, so completely caught up in the moment that when the rope gave way and she heard a splash, she half-started out of her chair. She heard a chuckle and glanced to her side as he walked out of the backstage area, completely dry, and grinned at her. “You worried?”

  “Of course not.” She pretended not to be startled by his appearance. She’d been watching the entire time. He had definitely begun the illusion suspended from the rope. The audience members he’d pulled onstage still stood in a circle with their hands joined. The logistics of the trick boggled her mind. Holy cow. She shrugged. “I knew there was a trick.”

  “You have serious trust issues.” With these parting words, he loped onstage, startling one female volunteer with a kiss on the cheek and taking his well-deserved bow.

  He finished his bow, then shook hands with each volunteer as they were escorted off the stage. He paused to speak quietly with both Bobby and Mattie before returning to her side. “You still mad?”

  “Mad?” She snorted. “Why would I be mad? Oh, you mean the little putting me in a trance and sending me floating in the rafters thing? Ha!” She glared at him. “You keep pulling shit like that and you’ll have lawsuits on your hands, buddy.”

  “Umm.” He compressed his lips, then held his hand out to her. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  “A walk?” She blinked. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Not at all. I always go for walks after a show. Come, we won’t go far.”

  She checked his forward momentum with an angry sneer. “I really don’t have any desire to go anywhere with you. Have you forgotten you nearly killed me? Without my consent?”

  He looked amused. “Are you mad because I forgot to ask your consent to kill you? Would you have given it?”

  “Ha. Ha.” She put all her contempt into the two syllables. “That’s not what I meant. Do you do that all the time?”

  “Actually, that was a first.” He tilted an eyebrow. “But then, you have a reputation for doing your research, so you’d know that, wouldn’t you?” He started down the hall, still talking so she had no choice but to follow him if she wanted to hear what he was saying, which, in spite of her fury, she did. “I’d planned to use the trick for the first time tonight, but I didn’t actually plan to open with it. You were a little easier to put into a trance than I’d anticipated.” His voice indicated this wasn’t a compliment, and another source of heat began to burn in her, this time from humiliation. Was that what he wanted?

  But he was still talking. “I needed to get you under control, and that seemed like a good way. I figured you’d have a strong reaction to it, although I have to admit, I didn’t anticipate fainting. Fear of heights?”

  She gritted her teeth. “You didn’t have to do any such thing. I was on my way to my spot in the back row when that kid waylaid me and put me in the front row seat you selected. And besides, I’m not here to discover your secrets. I’m not that kind of reporter.”

  His lips curled. “Oh, I have a pretty good idea what kind of reporter you are, Ms. Matthewson. You’re here to question me about Tony. You want that story. The one where I bemoan the fact that my brother and closest friend betrayed me.”

  Now they were getting somewhere. “Are you saying your brother betrayed you?”

  He broke off. Had she rattled him? But then he shook his head, speaking in a regretful tone. “And if it weren’t for the fact that this is so far beneath you, you’d’ve been out on your pretty little ass right after the show.”

  “Beneath me?” She blinked. It almost sounded like a compliment. At least it was far enough from his former line of humiliating repartee to both intrigue her and throw her off.

  “Beneath you.” He whirled, taking both her hands in an abrupt motion. They were on the casino floor, standing close to the windows. People at the nearby craps tables shot them curious glances. Had she followed him this far, blind to her surroundings? “I did some research. Not much, but enough to know who you are and what your capabilities are. You write crap, Ms. Matthewson.”

  She winced. “Call me Stacey, and who the hell are you to make that judgment?”

  “Doesn’t matter what I call you, you still write crap. And as your next intended victim, I think I’m pretty well qualified to make any judgments I want. You prey on people’s worst moments, immortalize the shadows and sell it to the highest bidder.” He paused, his lips compressing as if he didn’t want to say anymore, but then he added, albeit reluctantly. “And yet…you write well.”

  “I write well?” She shook her head, aware he was still holding her hands. The warmth of his grasp combined with an unexpected gratitude for the compliment, and she felt a little too warm and also as if he were playing with her emotions so skillfully she was almost enjoying it. “Are you saying I write good shit?”

  “Not really.” He dropped her hands and gestured around them. “Life is chance, Stacey. Have you never noticed that? I wonder what chance has brought you into my path. Was it Lady Luck?” As he spoke, a woman at a slot machine near them gave a cry of delight as bells and whistles began to sound. Andre grinned. “We better move on. Management tends to blame me when things like that happen.” He grasped her forearm and started toward the exit.

  “Wait!” She pulled back, trying to check their forward progress. “Where are we going?”

  “To talk.”

  “Where?” She shook her head. She felt exhausted from the yo-yoing of her emotions. “I don’t…”

  “There’s a coffee shop in the shopping center across the street. It’ll be quieter than here.” He cocked an eyebrow at her again. “Of course, we could go to my suite, but then natural assumptions would be made…”

  She blushed, wondering if he meant natural assumptions by him or someone else. Mattie or Bobby, maybe? “Oh. Okay.”

  He bought two coffees and brought them back to the table where she’d dropped. She looked drained, exhausted from traveling, probably, but he had a guilty feeling he was partly responsible. He quashed the guilt. He didn’t want to feel concerned about her. She’d threatened his family, after all. But he couldn’t help it. There was more to this woman than her beautiful, tough exterior showed. He’d seen it in the articles Mattie brought him before the show. Especially in the later ones, he’d sensed sympathy for the subjects. She could definitely prove useful to him.

  Tossing a few cream and sweetener packets on the table, he said, “I didn’t know how you took it.”

  As he’d suspected, she disregarded both, taking a cautious sip of the steaming liquid. “Can you explain to me why exactly we’re here?”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Could you please make up your mind? First you’re dying to inter
view me, now you don’t want to spend a moment alone with me.”

  “You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t approve of my style of journalism.” Her mouth primmed up into a thin line. He wanted to tell her not to do that. Her lips were lush and full of promise, but compressing them that way made part of her allure disappear.

  “I’m curious. What was your angle, anyway?” He took a sip of coffee, studying her over the white plastic rim. “How were you going to make this appeal to the masses? I’m not exactly a star. Yet.”

  “Exactly.” She scrubbed her face wearily. “Fine. You’re not a star, but you’re an up-and-coming magician doing your first big gig in Vegas. Nobody doubts you’re going to be a star. And your agent—who also happens to be your brother—gets caught gambling away your advance a few weeks after you get here. You kept it quiet for longer than I would have imagined you could, too.” Her gaze was frankly curious. “What was it a week…or ten days ago that you sent him away?”

  He shrugged. “Didn’t want exactly this kind of press to overshadow me.” And you’re going to help me with that. He leaned forward. “I’m pretty good at reading people. Requisite job skill for my chosen career, I suppose. You intrigue me. You’re afraid to be yourself, but you don’t like the person you’re pretending to be.”

  She looked startled, but she quickly covered it up with a slightly derisive smile. “You’re grasping. You don’t really know anything about me.”

  He brought one hand up to tick off points. “You’re not a natural blonde, you drink your coffee black even though you’d probably prefer it a little sweeter, you write crap when you’re capable of doing much better and you’re chasing a story in Vegas when you’re usually the bane of the A-list in Hollywood or New York. What’s your angle? You’re hunting a next-to-nobody in Vegas and even compromising the few scruples you still have. Why would you do that for me?”

  She took a deep drink of the coffee. Too deep. It made her cough and sputter, and he knew she was hiding something.

  He patted her on the back and continued. “I have a business proposition for you.”

  “B-business?” She gasped the single important word.

  “I’m thinking for one reason or another you’re a bit down on your luck. As you’ve noted, I’m down a staff member. I have no intention of hiring another agent, at least at this point. I have Bobby and Mattie for the day-to-day stuff and at least a six-month run here in Vegas. However, I could use someone to handle the press.”

  Her coughing stopped. Was she too astounded by his offer to remember she’d nearly choked herself? The thought made him smile, but he hid it by standing.

  “I expect you’d like to sleep on it, especially considering how late it is. Where are you staying?”

  She stared at him and gulped. “I—haven’t had a chance to…”

  He frowned. “You haven’t checked in or you don’t have a place to stay?”

  “I came straight from the plane…” She trailed off, looking more tired than she had before, probably at the idea of finding a room at this late hour.

  He glanced at the bag at her feet. He’d assumed it was a large purse, but he realized it was probably an overnight bag. Without waiting to hear her protest, he slung the bag over his shoulder and pulled her to her feet, starting toward the mall entrance.

  “Where are we going?” She followed him.

  Deciding she was tired enough to come with him regardless of whether he answered or not, he shushed her, pulling out his phone.

  Greg answered on the second ring. Greg was the concierge in charge of keeping Andre happy, so when Andre called, he answered. So far, he hadn’t had a problem fulfilling Andre’s requests, and Andre hoped tonight would be the same, but considering his depleted bank account, he might be pushing his luck. As usual, however, Greg sounded courteous and ready to help. “Mr. Hawke. What can I do for you this evening?”

  “Greg, I need a room. For a new staff member.”

  “Certainly, sir. What will your staff member’s requirements be?” Greg had no doubt been anticipating this since Tony’s departure.

  “A queen room should serve. With a study area.”

  “And when will you be needing it?”

  Andre eyed the woman stumbling along beside him. She needed a room sooner rather than later. She was dead on her feet. His financial position was well known at the hotel, however, and he couldn’t risk being too demanding. “Could we get her something tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely. Shall I phone you when it is ready?”

  “Thank you, Greg.” He hung up, pushing open the door to the resort. Maybe it would be better to keep her close until he had a full commitment from her anyway.

  About the Author

  Michelle Garren Flye is an award-winning romance author. Reviewers have described her work as: “an engaging novel with charming and likable characters”, a story that “will make you believe in love and second chances”, and a “well-written and thought-provoking novel.”

  Michelle placed third in the Hyperink Romance Writing Contest for her short story “Life After”. Her short stories have been published by the romance anthology Foreign Affairs, Opium.com, SmokelongQuarterly.com and Flashquake.com. She has served on the editorial staffs of Horror Library Butcher Shop Quartet and Tattered Souls.

  Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, three children and their rapidly growing collection of pets.

  Also by Michelle Garren Flye:

  Sleight of Hand Series:

  Close Up Magic

  Escape Magic

  Island Magic

  Carolina Wine Country:

  Ducks in a Row

  Saturday Love

  Agapi Mou (Coming…someday)

  Published by Carina Press:

  Where the Heart Lies

  Published by Lyrical Press:

  Secrets of the Lotus

  Winter Solstice

  Also set in the North Carolina Mountains:

  Weeds and Flowers

  Synchronicity Series

  Out of Time

  Time Being (Coming January 2017)

  Did you enjoy this book? Consider leaving a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and GoodReads!

  I love hearing from my readers.

  Here’s what reviewers have said about some of my other work:

  “Michelle Garren Flye is a wizard with words and I completely enjoyed her voice.”

  —LAS Reviews

  “…a well written sweet story that renews our faith in happily ever after.”

  —Michelle Bowman, We Love Kink

  “I highly recommend this unsettling book.”

  —Lauren Strait, Amazon Reviewer

  “…well-written and thought-provoking novel…”

  —Book Reviews & More by Kathy

  “…a poignant story of loss, grief, secrets, love, redemption and second chances.”

  —Jersey Girl Book Reviews

  “…a book that will take you on a trip where failing or giving up is NOT an option.”

  —Bunny’s Book Reviews

  “This book has so much depth on so many levels. The thought process, and how everything played out was so great!”

  —We’re Jumpin’ Books

  “Readers will feel good and happy about this story… it made me smile.”

  —Guilty Indulgence Romance Review

  “Michelle has a way with words, she draws you into the small town life of these characters and keeps you hooked until the last page.” — Stitch Read Cook

  “…a well-written romantic novel with an unusual amount of depth.”

  —Book Addiction

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapt
er 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter One

  About the Author