Keeping His Siren Part 2

by Kiersten Fay

  She wouldn’t confess that little tidbit to Dante, however. Though she would need to tell him something. He must be wondering why she hadn’t checked in yet. After she informs him she can’t continue this spying game, would he still pay her? She seriously doubted it. She wasn’t about to count on it either. Which meant she had to proceed as though that seven grand was permanently off the table.

  Back to plan B.

  She leaned her head on Cortez’s shoulder and sighed. So much for opting to stay in Riverstone. Now their only option was to run, or else wind up on the sharp, pointy end of the twin’s wrath. At least they had nearly another week before those two came looking for payment. Plenty of time to rack up miles between them. To disappear and start again in a new town. Where would they go this time? She grew tired just thinking about it.

  Shortly after the helicopter landed, she was ushered into another stretch SUV. The siren in her squirmed almost violently within her, growing desperate with the sense of more humans nearby, but she clamped it down and held it together.

  Cortez started making calls from the confines of the back seat, checking in with his club’s manager on duty. While he was occupied, she discreetly texted Cole: Initiating Plan B. Time to hit the road. Make sure you’re packed and ready to go. She paused, debating. Then added: We leave tomorrow.

  Pathetic, she thought, pocketing her phone. Though she should be making plans for their future, she was going to stay one more night with Cortez, use up as much time with him as she could…because she had it bad. The thought of leaving him scorched a hot fissure through her chest. She knew it was a risk to stay, but she just couldn’t let it end. Not yet. One more kiss to tide her over. Just one last perfect night. It wouldn’t be enough, but it would have to do.

  This week with him had been her happiest in a long, long time. She’d forgotten what it meant to simply relax. To feel secure. Safe. To have the bearing of responsibility striped from her shoulders after struggling under its weight for what felt like forever. This week had been a dream, just as she’d told Cortez. A sheer fantasy in the flesh. But dreams didn’t last. Nothing did.

  Once she and Cole left, it would be back to scrounging for jobs and hustling for cash. Non-stop work to rebuild their lives somewhere far away, during which she’d do what she must: conceal her breaking heart from Cole till she was ready to let him see her pain. She didn’t want him in any way feeling guilty about uprooting her. Her heart would have to wait to shatter completely. She’d replace the ruined appendage with fortified steel if she had to. She’d walk away from her home with her head held high and a smile on her face, strained as it might be.

  Cortez hung up his phone and wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head as if it were the most natural thing to do. He pulled her closer, and for a heartbreaking second she let the fantasy wash over her, let herself believe everything would work out, that they’d find a way to pay the twins, and that maybe, just maybe, Cortez might want to keep her.

  Chapter 28

  In his suite, Cortez informed her he had some business to take care of and would have to leave her for a bit. She was fine with that. There were things she needed to take care of anyway.

  Before he left, he took her lips in a scorching kiss and then whispered in her ear that he had a surprise planned for her later.

  She laughed and teased, “Well, it’s about time you stepped up your game.”

  He replied with a heart-wrenching grin. “I haven’t even started.”

  Her heart leapt at his words as her mind tried to work the statement with a key that didn’t fit. She couldn’t let herself read too much into it. It would only hurt her more in the end. Tonight was all they had.

  Unless….

  Could she confide in him? Could she trust him with everything? Her darkest secrets his to accept or exploit? Could she swallow her pride and ask him for help with the Twins? It was a lot to ask for. Exactly the type of thing a user would do. She couldn’t be like that. She couldn’t stand it if he saw her that way.

  But what if…what if she could stay with him?

  She planned to set aside some time to give it all some serious thought, but right now she desperately needed to feed her siren. She had threadbare control as it was. Without Cortez here to distract her with his glorious body and seductive words, she was ready to snap.

  After a quick shower, she changed into one of her Kenzi-shopping-spree outfits and then retrieved the dress meant for Goldie as a replacement for the one she—ahem, Cortez—had ruined.

  In the elevator, she checked her phone. Cole hadn’t replied to her text yet.

  The lobby was peppered with people lounging on sofas, waiting for a particular show to start in one of the sections of the club. Others lined up at the front desk, checking in for the night. A large-bellied man with a rutty face and two giggling women in evening gowns entered the elevator she’d just vacated. She’d have wished the trio a good night if she wasn’t trying so hard not to burst out in song and suck away their energetic life-forces. It was early yet, and this crowd wasn’t big enough to fulfill her needs. She’d only overdo it and potentially drive them insane….

  Then she’d be trapped in a room with wild-eyed patrons drawn to the source of their madness. Cortez would certainly wonder what she was then…if she survived the melee.

  She needed to hurry. Dante’s place should be pretty packed by the time she arrived, and would be more conducive to her needs. Before speaking with Dante, she’d take the stage and re-fill her energy, get her fix without taking too much from any one person.

  Outside Ever Nights, the sky was dimming to that rich evening blue that heralded the night. Her skin itched in the dry air. Goosebumps fanned out over her arms. She rubbed them, trying to shake away a sudden, inexplicable feeling of dread. Something was off. She felt odd.

  I’ve waited too long. Any second now I’ll lose control.

  She hurried off in the direction of The Pit, her heels clacking with each step. The walk seemed a thousand miles long, and her resolve was tested a couple times; once when she passed a homeless man, tempting her to break her silence, then again when she crossed paths with a horde of teens loitering in a park. Both times she’d clenched her teeth and held her breath, fighting past her macabre urges.

  It had never been such a relief to see that cracked, gravelly asphalt and flashing broken sign that read DAN E’S IT.

  Naia hurried past Fred, the bouncer. He gave a curt nod, and then said something into his radio.

  Inside, her mouth dropped. She’d never seen the place so stuffed with people—standing room only. A little unexpected, but oh so perfect. She overheard a conversation about ticket prices and missed opportunities. Someone else mentioned Ever Nights. Was there a coveted event happening there tonight? Whenever Ever Nights put on a huge show, The Pit got some of the spillover.

  On stage, one of the exotic dancers who’s name Naia couldn’t remember, Shannon or Sharon maybe, was in the middle of a striptease. Off to the side, the mic used to announce each act was waiting as if just for her. She didn’t even plan to ask, she’d just run up there and do her thing when Shannon/Sharon finished up.

  Unfortunately, she never got her chance.

  A big, meaty hand gripped Naia by the arm and yanked her back. She stumbled at the unexpected momentum and swiveled her head to see that it was Dante, dragging her to his office. Inside, he shut the door, and then roughly plopped her into the chair across from his desk.

  “What did you find out?” His raspy tone was half demanding, half threatening. Dark eyes bore into hers, and she audibly swallowed. Had he always been this menacing?

  “I-I haven’t found anything.”

  Both brows lifted nearly to his hairline before drawing together above his narrowing eyes. He placed both his hands on her armrests and then leaned in, too close for comfort. “You haven’t found anything?” The words were almost a snarl, too aggressive to be a question. “Have you even been looking?”

  “I did
…a little.” He sneered at that, but before he could say anything more, she rushed out, “You were right. He was interested in me. He, uh, took me away from the club for a few days. I could hardly say no. We just got back today.”

  Dante took that in for a moment, then, eyes flashing, he smiled in a way that made her shiver, his fangs on full display. To her relief, he backed off and took the seat behind his desk. “He found you irresistible, did he?”

  For the moment. She nodded

  He laughed. “So predictable.” His hard gaze settled on her again. “If you have nothing for me, then why are you here?”

  “I was hoping to work a shift tonight.”

  He leaned back and steepled his fingers. “You’re here to waitress for me?”

  “To sing,” she corrected. “I need some money, you see, and I need to keep my vocal cords strong. Cortez likes having me around, but he won’t give me a job. I still have bills to pay and—”

  “Darling girl. Why didn’t you just say so?” He reached in a drawer and retrieved a wad of cash. Several hundreds landed on the table in front of her.

  She gazed at the bills as though they were a nest of snakes ready to strike. A sour sensation churned in her stomach.

  “Not enough?” He licked his fingers and counted out more bills.

  “It’s not that. I…I don’t think I can keep spying on Cortez.”

  Dante went still mid-count, staring at her as though he hadn’t heard her correctly. Or maybe he expected her to retract the statement under his threatening glare.

  “The money is generous...but it’s just not worth the risk. I’m not cut out for spying on people. And I can’t stand the lies. I don’t want to do it anymore. I can’t. It’s not right. Besides, I don’t believe there’s anything for me to find, anyway. I mean, I think his business dealings are pretty clean.”

  “Nonsense. There’s definitely something for you to find. You just need to look, you silly girl.” Another flash of his fangs had her pulse revving.

  He stood and scooped up the cash, sidestepped the desk, and pulled her to her feet by the arm. He led her back through the throng of people, her siren gnawing at her insides, and ushered her out the front door where the night crushed in around her.

  He shoved the cash into her palm. “You have a job to do, and you will do it, won’t you?”

  “I…”

  “This isn’t a request.” His fierce expression was reminiscent of her nightmare, only this was no dream. A primordial urgency took over, an undeniable primal awareness of prey to predator. Except this wasn’t some primitive trick of the mind. This was bonafide instinct screaming to be heard. Her sense of self-preservation forced a slow nod. She realized if she didn’t do as he asked, he might actually hurt her.

  “Good girl. Start with the basement, where the vampires feed.” He whirled her around by the shoulders and sent her on her way, patting her on the ass for good measure.

  Woodenly, she took one step in front of the other, absently clutching the cash to her chest. As the sudden sense of danger tweaked her nerves, the siren in her went mercifully quiet. Thank God, because she had so much more to worry about now.

  Chapter 29

  On the way back to Ever Nights, she dialed Cole, but he didn’t answer, so she left him a message, imploring him not to go into work tonight. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said. “Then we’ll book it.”

  She’d use tonight to say goodbye to Cortez—

  She skittered to a stop as she turned the corner to Ever Nights.

  The club was lit up like a Christmas tree. Spotlights danced in the sky and there was a line around the block to get in. Her vocal cords jumped in her throat at the sight of all those people. Ryder and another vampire she hadn’t seen were guarding the door and arguing with people that they were at capacity. Ryder looked surprised when he spotted her crossing the car-filled parking lot.

  “What are you doing out here?” he asked, glancing around as though looking for a threat. Little did he know she was the threat. “You should be inside.”

  The crowd groused as he escorted her through the doors.

  “Shut it!” the other vampire snapped at them. The complaints dimmed.

  Ryder ushered her past the lobby, through a short corridor, and into a large open room with high ceilings. The crowd here was thick as well, chortling with excitement. So many people. So much energy. All for me.

  She bit her tongue to keep from belting out her song. The loud music blasting through heavy speakers would make it impossible for anyone but those closest to hear her at all. It wasn’t the right time. Heart thumping, her throat constricted, smothering her vocal cords. Her gaze darted around the room for an answer to her dilemma.

  Still holding onto her, she and Ryder had to push past bodies until finally they reached a private VIP table on a dais.

  “Wait here!” He had to yell to be heard. “I’ll let Cortez know where you are.” He vanished into the throng.

  People swayed and danced nearby. Her vocal cords whimpered in their cage. Her body quivered, breaths shadowing. She swiped away a fine mist of sweat on her forehead. The thumping in her chest out-drummed the pulsating subwoofers near the stage. She had to stay in control. Only a very few close by people would be snared if she—

  The stage!

  People were shoved up against it on the opposite side of the room. Complete with instruments and several microphones, it was like a beacon of light in darkness.

  No time to think, she hurled herself into the crowd, fighting toward that promised land.

  Almost there. Just a little farther.

  Bodies keep getting in her way. She must have used violence, because a few people screeched as she passed. One guy called out, “Hey!” as though offended by her macabre need to get to that mic.

  Finally, at the edge of the stage, she hefted herself up, scrambled to the mic, and ripped it from its stand.

  Blissful screeching feedback hushed the crowd. Thousands of eyes turned on her. Her heart thundered; not from fear, but from anticipation.

  Under the hot lights, she caught the sight of Cortez barreling through the door, his eyes darting furiously, his expression strange. Then their gazes locked. At first he seemed surprised to see her on stage, a curious tilt to his brow. His attention bounced to the mic in her hand then back to her face and that surprise turned to anger.

  Thinking the show was on, someone landed a spotlight on her. She squinted at the sudden sting, now only able to see the front row. Dozens of people gazed up at her expectantly.

  She brought the mic to her lips, and loosed her voice, a soft hymn at first that so easily fell into sync with the rhythmic beat of the bass bumping through the room. Her entire body relaxed as her snare stretched out. So many people in such close quarters meant that she was feeding almost instantly.

  She gave her voice room to grow into a confident treble before exploding into a thunderous chime that cut through the air and bled into the farthest walls, the words coming as naturally as the sound was beautiful. She often made up lyrics, letting the moment take her. Now was one of those times.

  As her eyes adjusted to the blaring light, she found the hazy form of Cortez slicing through the crowd toward her. He stopped several feet from the front row, glaring up at her. He wasn’t happy about her stunt. She’d have to deal with that later. Now all that mattered was the exuberant energy flowing into her, rejuvenating her. It was like candy on Halloween. Presents at Christmas. Cake on Birthdays.

  She closed her eyes and smiled as a rhythmic hook exploded from her lungs and she held fast to a single cord. It playfully soared and dove and glided around the room, whipping like a feather in the wind yet landing like a sharpened blade. A hush fell over the crowd.

  Her eyelids cracked open when her tone turned soulful, sorrowful. She zeroed in on Cortez, meeting his gaze once more. His expression was now inscrutable.

  Somehow this song had turned into something personal. Something gut-wrenching and filled with
melancholy. An ode to love and loss and regret.

  This song was her heart on a plate.

  His expression remained blank.

  Fully recharged, she slowed it down, her voice tapering off till her humming tone weaved through the beat, as darkly ambiguous as desire itself. Aria complete, she let the mic fall to her side.

  The crowd roared with applause.

  She blinked, as though roused from a trance. Cortez was gone. She searched for him. He was stage left, waiting for her, a deep frown cutting into his lips. She took a couple quick bows and replaced the mic before stepping off stage.

  “Come with me.” His tone was tinged in ice. He gripped her by the arm, much in the same way Dante had, and dragged her after him.

  “Look,” she started, her legs working to keep up. His grip on her was alarmingly tight. “I’m sorry I did that. It won’t happen again, I swear.”

  He snorted derisively. “Least of your problems.”

  “Huh?” She hardly noticed where he was taking her till they ended up in something that resembled a conference room with a long rectangular table surrounded by black leather chairs. A flat screen TV was built into the wall. Ryder, Donovan, and several others bordered the room…all glaring at her.

  She understood that Cortez didn’t like the idea of her performing in his club, but this reaction was a bit much.

  “Sit,” Cortez ordered, whipping her toward a chair.

  Stunned, she sank down, wildly glancing around. “W-What’s going on?” Seven vampires sneered at her, their arms crossed. Even Ryder looked pissed, his earlier smile a ghost in her memory. He gazed at her now like he didn’t even know who she was. Could that one little performance really have ticked everyone off to this degree?