by Ginna Moran
I crinkle my nose. “Asked out, yes. Propositioned? I’m a performer. Nothing more.”
He groans, shaking his head. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to insinuate anything.”
I slouch in the seat as awkward silence falls between us. Staring out the windshield, I keep my attention on the road. I can feel Rhett’s eyes penetrating the side of my face, but I don’t want to look at him. I just hope this car ride ends soon.
“Where the hell is your bar anyway?” I ask, resting my elbows on my knees. I know it hasn’t been more than a few minutes, but time seems to slow.
“I have a confession to make,” Rhett says in response. His words are the last things I want to hear after asking him where the hell he’s taking me.
My chest tightens, and once again, I search the side mirror with the Jeep. “I swear there better be a bar. Don’t think I won’t fight.”
Rhett turns on his blinker and swerves right onto a gravel road. Dust sprays behind us with the sudden movement. I grip the door, a blip of fear sneaking up on me.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Rhett punches the throttle, speeding down the road. “You know, I’ve been searching for you, and you have been one hard woman to find.”
Fuck. “And why would you be looking for me? Did my aunt hire you? I told her that I needed my own life. I couldn’t live with my mom’s past straining our relationship.”
“Your aunt, Delphia?” he questions.
“What did you call me?” I snap, fear sneaking up on me.
“That is your name, isn’t it? Delphia Drakovich.” A flash of light pops through the darkness, and I grip the door handle, wondering if I’d survive if I jumped out. Rhett shouldn’t know my name. I’ve only ever told Galaxy. I haven’t even heard it since I up and left my aunt and uncle in the middle of the night with only a note. There was a reason, and now my past seems to come back to haunt me.
“Stop the car,” I say instead of responding to him.
“Not yet.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I said stop the car!”
“We are stopped,” Rhett says, his voice lowering. “Look around.”
Fluttering my eyes open, I stare at the empty parking lot outside the bar. Galaxy honks the horn on his Jeep, startling me.
“What the fuck?” I shout, flinging the door open.
“Delphia, wait.” Rhett reaches for my hand. “Please.”
I don’t wait. I don’t want to be alone with him for another second.
I flee.
Chapter 2
The Den
“NOVA!” STAR CALLS from behind me as I rush...who knows where. Shit. How am I going to explain any of this? Rhett acted surprised that I mentioned my aunt, which makes me even more afraid. If he didn’t know Aunt McKayla, it means he knew my mom...and she wasn’t exactly a model citizen. She was a thief and liar, and it all added up until the law caught up with her and she ended up behind bars where she lost her life. My dad too. I don’t remember them, but Aunt McKayla told me what I needed to know in case...and it looks like I needed the information now. Because fuck.
“Where you going, kitten? The bar is that way.” A tall, attractive man steps from what looks like a shed, startling me.
I nearly eat shit on the ground, but the guy catches me by the wrist.
“All that’s out here is forest and wild animals. You wouldn’t want to get mauled, now would you?” he adds, his lips pulling into a smile.
“I—”
The man spins me around without waiting for my response. I crash right into Orion, who stands a few feet from Rhett’s car. He frowns and steadies me on my feet. Confusion washes over me. I know I was farther away than this. And the man? I swivel on my feet and peer around.
Orion releases a grunt, never being a man of many words. “Nova, are you okay?” I must really look crazy if he even asks.
I open my mouth to tell him that I need to get out of here, but Star claps and laughs, more amused than anyone over standing outside an unimpressive bar that looks empty. It gives Rhett a chance to exit the car. He looks at me from over the roof with a cocked brow. I don’t know who the fuck Rhett is, but I don’t want to find out.
“Sorry about the sudden turn. I’ve lived here several months now and still almost always miss the drive.” Rhett continues to stare at me, though he raises his voice to speak to everyone. “Welcome to The Den. I know it’s not much, but I hope to change that.”
Rhett waves his hand at a stone building nestled against a dense forest. I swear I see sparks escape his fingers with his gesture. And shit. It can’t all be in my head that this guy is creepy as hell. Something is going on here. Did he drug me? I can’t remember if I ate or drank anything after my performance. I just—
“Need anything else before we go, Rhett?” The familiar voice draws my attention back to the man from the shed. I gawk in surprise, unable to keep my gaze to myself as two other really tall, really buff men stroll up next to him.
Rhett shakes his head. “I think I can manage the rest. I’ll call you if I need you. See you around, Drekis.”
The three of them stare between me and Rhett before just up and walking into the forest. Dragging my attention from them, I take a few steps away to put more space between me and Rhett. I need to think of a casual reason to get Galaxy and the others to leave. The fact that Rhett’s been looking for me and knows my real name. Fuck.
I’ve always known that my parents’ deaths remained unsolved, which is why my aunt and uncle were always hesitant to give me any freedom growing up. My mom’s sister only did so out of pity with the gymnastics, but it didn’t stop her from constantly reminding how awful things were. And now I can’t help wondering if Rhett was involved with my mom or anything revolving around her convictions.
Taking another automatic step back, I bump into Orion again. I glance at the Jeep, considering how screwed I’d be if I tackled Galaxy and stole his keys to get out of here. Rhett follows my gaze like he can read my thoughts and struts next to Galaxy. I swear he looks like he’s protecting him, slightly putting his body between me and Galaxy.
Orion nudges me to get my ass moving, pushing me to follow behind Star and Galaxy as they stride in the bar’s direction upon Rhett’s gesture to go ahead. Impatient with my slow movements, Orion dodges past me and abandons me in the gravel parking lot.
“Delphia,” Rhett says, once again saying my real name. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m not here to hurt you. You’ve misunderstood my intentions.”
I twist to look at him, my hair whipping behind me with the motion. It pisses me off that he calls me out, which helps turn my fear into anger. “Don’t call me by that name. Don’t even try to step closer either. I don’t know who you are or why you are stalking me, but you need to leave me the hell alone. I’ll call the police if you don’t.”
His light blue eyes blink with a spark of purple. The air buzzes around us, sending invisible heat crawling over my skin. What the hell?
He snatches my hand. “Relax, Delphia. I’m not your enemy or here to cause you any trouble. I just—”
I rip my hand away from him, my skin still crawling from his touch. “Who are you?” I ask, cutting him off.
“An old friend of your parents, and I’m here only to talk. I’ve been instructed by them to find you.” Rhett runs his hand over his hair, combing it back for a second before letting it fall in his eyes. He tightens his jaw with his words.
“Bullshit,” I say, searching the area for the best way to escape. I wish I had my own car. If I run to the road, I’m sure Rhett will continue to follow me. “They’ve been dead since I was little.”
He sighs and shifts on his feet, kicking gravel around with the toe of his designer shoes. “I know, and it’s a shame. Your mother was quite the desired commodity back home. Wanted by many. Like you.”
Ah, hell.
The purple electricity lights Rhett’s eyes again as he captures my stare. “Your mother made it nearly impossible to find you.
She—”
“Hey, Nova!” Star calls from the bar behind Rhett. She waves her hands over her head to grab my attention. “If you’re planning to bone him, at least dance with me for a bit first. Galaxy and Orion are boring as hell.”
I grimace at her remark. “I’m not planning to fuck anyone tonight, but especially not him.”
Star’s face lights up in surprise, and she waves her arms again. “Then get your ass in here. It’s time to celebrate, and I have a drink with your name on it.” She turns her attention to Rhett and winks. “Maybe you’d like to hang out with me instead. I’m more sugar where Nova-babe is all spice.”
“I can picture that.” Rhett remains expressionless at her suggestion, acting as if he’s not being a creepy fuck. The purple electricity fades from his eyes, and I wonder if I imagined it because of the glow of the bar sign.
“You won’t have to picture my sweetness, honey,” she responds with a laugh. Star is probably the boldest person I’ve ever met. For the first time, I’ve never been so glad for her kind of blunt interruption.
“Perhaps I’ll take you up on it in a bit, sugar. I have some business to attend to now that I think about it.” Rhett flicks his gaze to me. “You are welcome to join me. I have a private office if you’d prefer to hear me out there. Your parents—”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good. I’m not staying long, and if you even think about—”
“Nova, hurry your ass up! I love this song.” Star whistles into her fingers.
Rhett glances at her, and I take advantage of his distraction. All I have to do is go inside the bar and find Galaxy. I can complain that I’m sick and want to wait in the Jeep. Then I can leave.
“Coming!” I shout. I half-expect Rhett to grab my hand to stop me from running away, but he wisely lets me go, so I don’t have to punch him or some shit. A shiver shudders down my back in a cool wave at the sensation of his gaze following me.
I haven’t thought about my parents, but especially about my mom, in a long time. I don’t remember her or my dad, but from what my aunt has told me, my mom was wild and untamable. The type of person whose presence could captivate a room a second before blowing it up. But Aunt McKayla also told me how she hated that I was nearly the same. And maybe I am. I like living life as a free spirit, after all. And maybe that’s what scares me most about Rhett. Bringing my past back to haunt me...I can’t let the life I built get ruined by people who ruined enough themselves. It isn’t fair. It was bad enough growing up with a woman who insisted on reminding me.
I jog the rest of the way to Star and fake a smile, sliding my arm around her shoulders. “Thank God you came for me. That guy is weird as hell. He asked me if I’d consider being a performer here.”
Star tips her head back with a laugh. “We’re aerial acrobats, not strippers!” Her voice rings through the air.
I hold my hand over her mouth. “Shhh. He’s stalking me now.”
Star smells like she already helped herself to a tequila shot. “Stalking you? No way. I’d noticed. Even so, who cares? He’s cute, rich, and he can’t take his eyes off you. I can’t believe you already rejected the puppy dog-eyed bastard. Fuck, Nova. If he makes us pay—”
I drag Star inside to shut her up, ensuring she doesn’t try to turn and talk to him again—or worse, ask him to join us because she thinks she knows I secretly want him. Laughing again, she twirls toward the middle of the spacious bar, spinning me with her. Music hums through the air in beat with the colorful lights.
“Whoa.” I gawk at the crowded place.
People dance around the entire room, not caring that there isn’t a dance floor. A crowd hangs in front of the bar where several bartenders pour colorful drinks. Where the hell did these people come from? The parking lot was practically empty. I wonder if it’s walking distance to a town or some shit.
“Amazing, right? You couldn’t tell from the outside,” Star says, twirling again. Her flowing dress sweeps the floor with the motion. “Come on. The guys got us a booth. V.I.P.” She enunciates the P with a puff of breath.
“Hey, Delp...Nova.” Rhett’s velvety voice draws my attention to the door behind me. I was hoping he’d take the hint and leave me alone until I could make my escape.
I lock my fingers tighter around Star’s hand without responding. If I don’t engage, I won’t open up any more lines of communication.
“Please hang out for a bit. I’ll be at the bar when you’re ready to talk. But I must warn you. If you choose to leave without doing so, I promise to show up to every one of your performances until you do.” His words sound like a threat, despite the smirk lighting his features. “I’m a persistent man.”
“And a creepy asshole,” I mutter.
“Who are you talking about?” Star asks, peering around.
I motion my hand towards Rhett, but he’s gone. Damn. What the hell? “Uh, that guy over there,” I say instead, waving toward a man towering over two attractive women at the bar. “Look at him sneaking pictures of them.”
Now that I notice one of the patrons, I can’t help but take a more intent look at those here. I should’ve known not to expect anything less, considering this is Rhett’s bar. They all look like they belong somewhere in a big city, dressed in designer, screaming money, and not in some tiny bar in the middle of nowhere. Things don’t really add up, and it’s freaking me out even more.
“Whoa. Look, there is another one...” Star’s voice trails off. “Shit, the fucker is looking at us. He knows we caught him.”
I reach out and grip her hand, my concern over Rhett disappearing with the fear of being leered at by a perv from across the bar. “We should just leave. Where did you say Galaxy was?”
“Ew, yeah.” Star scrunches her nose, following my line of sight to the man. “Oh, God. Look at the other guy again. He’s moving on to those girls. What a creep. We should tell Rhett.”
I shake my head and tug her arm. “No. I bet Rhett told him to. I have a bad feeling about him and this place. It’s like no one cares about that guy, either. There are at least three guys that can see him and are pretending he’s doing nothing. Fucking sick-fuck.” The second the words leave my mouth, the man jerks his attention in my direction.
Our eyes meet, and I step back, my body suddenly wanting more space between us. The man cocks an eyebrow and gives me a once-over, trailing his creepo gaze down my long legs and to my boots.
“Wait there,” he mouths. “Your sweet ass is next.” He has the nerve to smile and wink at me before turning to another group of women to sneak more pictures of them.
And then he touches a blonde on her shoulder.
The woman drops to the floor, convulsing and jerking her body. Star gasps from beside me, bringing her hand to her chest. Neither of us moves from our spots. Galaxy is the only one with a phone, but I notice a dozen people pulling theirs out.
A strange flash of light erupts from above the woman. It draws my attention from her and to the creepy man. He stands a few feet away with a leer on his face. One of the women’s friends shouts and rushes to grab a purse from a nearby barstool. Before she can turn back around, the man slaps his hand over her mouth and drags her through a swinging door into a brightly lit kitchen.
Oh, fuck.
“Star, shit. Star. That man.” I can barely get the words out of my mouth. “Did you see that? He took that woman. We have to help.”
A tingling sensation prickles over my skin, the air filling with static. I shiver from the feeling as every hair on my body floats in the invisible electric currents. Squeezing Star’s fingers, I swing her hand, trying to get her attention. Something’s incredibly wrong. The air grows heavy, pressing in on me. The edges of my vision shadow. The chaotic noise of the bar fades until the only sound remaining is my heart beating.
“Star?” I repeat, my voice refusing to sound above a whisper.
“Star is no longer your concern.” The hoarse, guttural voice shocks the fog from my mind, sending the world into overdrive. �
��She’s mine.”
I gasp a breath, the weight of the room releasing me along with Star’s hand. I cringe at the sudden blast of the music and cover my ears, composing myself. I spin to find Star, catching sight of the pervert man lacing his fingers around her elbow.
“No!” I scream. “Stop! Leave her alone!”
Rushing forward, I grab the front of Star’s dress and try to drag her back. The man doesn’t relent, yanking me along as he races toward the kitchen. My heart slams against my ribcage, panic engulfing me. Why isn’t anyone helping? Who the fuck is this guy anyway?
“Stop, you asshole,” I yell, scratching my nails at his arms.
His lips split in an unnerving smile—almost monstrous—and it startles me enough that I lose my hold on Star. Stumbling, I trip over someone’s foot and land on my stomach. Star reaches out for me, her eyes capturing mine. Fuck. I’m going to lose her. That horrifying man is going to steal the woman who has been like a sister to me ever since I found Galaxy Gold’s.
I push up on my hands, scrambling to my feet. Something about the bar feels off. No one even looks at me. I shove into a man blocking my way, and he doesn’t react. No one does. Only the man and Star as she flails, giving the guy one helluva fight.
“Delphia, get down!” Rhett’s loud holler cuts over the sound of the music.
I do the stupidest thing possible. I hesitate. Fear freezes my insides, only my gaze darting in the direction of the bar. Rhett’s handsome face clears from the blurring crowd, his light blue irises shining with impossible purple light.
And then a strange ball of electricity ignites in his palms with the unfamiliar words he calls.
The floor beneath me trembles.
Star screams.
Brilliant light steals my vision, and I fall to my knees.
The light consumes me.
Chapter 3
Beasts
