“This is my sister, Imogen,” I said.
“Sister?” Brian looked at me and dropped her hand as he straightened. “You couldn’t find an actual date?”
As Imogen’s mouth fell open, I said, “I’d rather have Im here than someone I have to pay.”
Brian tsked and put his arm over my shoulders, leading me through the crowd, Imogen following. “You have so much to learn. You never have to pay a date. They’ll pay to be seen with you.”
The thought of someone using me to enhance their image turned my stomach, and I vowed right then that I’d never fall into that trap. “I don’t think so,” I said.
“It’s the way this business works. You’ll get used to it.” Before I could respond, Brian tapped a woman on the shoulder, and when she turned around, he introduced me, ignoring Imogen completely.
Jesus, the guys were right. This guy was a total dick.
As the woman—the head of MGA’s international department—engaged me in conversation, I reached back for Imogen and pulled her up to stand beside me, not wanting her to feel left out because our manager was a dick.
Brian stuck to my side like glue, unfortunately, taking me around for introductions with key members of MGA’s team, and I did my part, giving them the agreeable version of myself that hadn’t just gone through a shitfest of a week. I focused on the fact that the party tonight was for Fallen Angel, that we’d brought the music playing overhead into existence and everyone at the party was there to celebrate that fact.
If I hadn’t been so distracted by keeping an eye out for Viper, I might’ve even said I was having fun.
After I made the rounds of industry execs, Brian ushered me toward a group of scantily clad women, a few of whom had on dresses—if you could call them that—that barely covered their asses.
“That’s what he would’ve preferred for you?” Imogen said, the sour look on her face staying put as Brian presented me to the women and then stepped back, taking Imogen with him.
“You don’t mind if I steal your dear sister away, do you? I’ve got someone I’d like her to meet.” Brian was steering Imogen away before I had a chance to respond, and as she glanced over her shoulder at me, she shrugged as if to say, “It’s fine.”
Great. There goes my safety net, I thought, turning back to face the women who were circling me like vultures. It reminded me of the first night I’d gone out with the guys to Easy Street and had three groupies in my lap before I could blink. I wasn’t about to put myself in that situation again, so before they could move in any closer, I held my hands up and said, “Ladies, thanks for coming. Enjoy the party and the album.”
Then I was off, heading straight for the closest bar and praying they didn’t follow me. There was only so much charm to pull outta my sleeve, and I wasn’t wasting it on those girls, no offense to them.
When I reached the bar, I ordered a vodka soda, and when I had it in hand, I searched the room, looking for a quiet place to chill for a minute. I’d run into the guys as we got passed around the circles of execs, and I could see them now, still in separate corners of the room doing the meet-and-greet thing. I didn’t see Viper anywhere, and I wasn’t sure that was a good thing, since I didn’t know where to avoid.
There were a couple of hallways that veered off the room, and without knowing where they led, I chose the one closest to me, hoping being out of view would give me a few minutes’ respite.
My wish came true as I turned the corner to see a mostly empty hallway with only a couple of catering staff going in and out of the doors that must lead to the kitchen.
Good enough for me, I thought, leaning against the wall and taking a pull of my drink. I almost laughed at myself, because here I was, at my first official event, and I was lying low in a back hallway. Ridiculous? Yes. But I needed a breather, and more than that, I needed a second to wrap my head around the emotions swirling through my brain.
I didn’t care what Imogen said to make me feel better—Viper looked good tonight. That perma-scowl and the don’t-give-a-fuck attitude I’d been so attracted to until he’d used it on me…all that was still one seductive package.
Had it really been four days? I didn’t think there had been a day that’d gone by since we met that we hadn’t seen or spoken to each other. But sure enough, four long, miserable days had passed of wondering what he was doing, if he even cared what I was doing, and if any part of him thought I’d been right when I told him he was making a mistake. The look I’d seen flicker in his eyes on the red carpet earlier made me think maybe, just maybe, he was having a hard time without me too, but it had passed so fast that I wondered now if I’d made it up.
I dropped my head back against the wall and closed my eyes. Images of taking Viper on the roof, of using him the way I’d felt used, assaulted the peace I’d escaped the party to find, but I couldn’t seem to open my eyes to make them stop. I still wanted to see the way he looked at me with his heart in his eyes even though he couldn’t see it himself.
Forget him. Just fucking forget him.
Sighing, I brought the glass to my mouth and sucked an ice cube between my lips along with some of the vodka soda, and as I crunched on it, that was when I heard him.
“Hiding?” The deep rumble of Viper’s voice had me snapping my head to where he stood a few feet away, his hands jammed in the pockets of his jeans. He gave me an uncharacteristically tentative smile. “Hey.”
I swallowed the remaining ice but didn’t move. “Hi.”
Taking that as a sign he could come closer, he walked toward me, stopping a few feet away and letting his eyes roam over me.
“You look good, Angel,” he said, and then, when it looked like he was going to move toward me again, I held up my hand.
“Don’t. Just don’t.” I didn’t need to hear him say that shit to me now, and I didn’t need to be in a quiet hallway alone with him either. I didn’t trust myself not to reach for him, even though I knew that would be a bad idea. A very bad idea.
Where the hell is Imogen when I need her?
An awkward silence descended as we stared at each other, neither of us saying a word, because what was there to say? We both knew where things stood, and that whatever had been between us couldn’t and wouldn’t ever happen again. It twisted my guts to think how easily I’d fallen for Viper, how I’d done it without even realizing. I never expected to want more. I never expected to want him.
As I looked at Viper, that was the one truth I couldn’t deny. I wanted him. I still wanted him, and if he would only say the words now, tell me he was all in with me, then I’d be his in a heartbeat.
Say it. Just say it…
“Where the hell have you two been? Do you know how many people are looking for you?” Brian’s voice thundered down the hall, startling us both out of our stare-down, as he marched over. “MGA hasn’t spent tens of thousands of dollars on this party for the two of you to go MIA. Get out there and work the floor. That’s what you’re fucking here to do.”
Viper ran his hand through his hair as he pinned Brian with narrowed eyes. “Give us a goddamn minute.”
“Oh,” Brian said. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something? Guess what? I don’t give a fuck. Get your asses out there before Marshall comes looking for you.”
Viper took a step toward Brian, but before he could do something he’d regret, I said, “I’m going.”
The look Viper gave me then told me he didn’t want me to be the one to leave, but I wasn’t going to stand around and play the staring game all night. If he didn’t have anything to say to me, then I was out.
I made my way halfway down the hall before turning back in Brian’s direction. “By the way, where the fuck’s my sister?”
Forty-Two
Viper
MOTHERFUCKING BRIAN AND his motherfucking timing. The bastard always managed to stick his brown nose into shit he knew nothin’ about, and as he pointed out Halo’s sister and sent him on his way, I had the urge to rearrange his face.
> “I’ve told you before not to fucking talk to me like that,” I said, keeping my tone down to a low simmer so we wouldn’t attract any attention—in case I did decide to give him an impromptu nose job. “And you sure as fuck don’t need to speak to Halo with anything other than a ‘yes, sir,’ ‘no, sir,’ you feel me?”
I expected Brian’s eyes to turn to slits and for him to mouth off the way he usually did. Instead, he crossed his arms and said, “What? Don’t like the way I talk to your boyfriend?”
My face must’ve momentarily betrayed my surprise, because a smug smirk curled his lips.
“You think I don’t know? I’ve seen you mooning the fuck over him all night.”
“You’ve seen shit.”
“Please. You haven’t stopped watching him since you got here, and then you went and cornered him? What’d the kid do, turn you down and now your dick can’t get over it?”
I growled and lunged at him, but Brian quickly jumped back a couple of steps, out of my reach and closer to the party.
“Whatever problem you have with me, leave Halo out of this,” I said, teeth clenched.
“See, but that’s the problem. You are the one dragging Halo down to your level. He doesn’t need to be down with the likes of you—he needs to be out in the spotlight with a fucking supermodel.”
Damn. That was it. That was fucking it.
I grabbed hold of his suit jacket and jerked him forward. “I warned you what would happen if you kept this shit up.”
“What are you gonna do? Fire me?” He let out a strangled laugh. “You can’t do that. You wouldn’t be enjoying any of this”—he gestured behind him toward the party—“without me.”
“I couldn’t give two shits about what you think you’ve done or how long you’ve been with us. You’re a fucking cunt, and if I have to look at your bitch-ass face for one more motherfucking second, I’ll be tempted to rearrange it so you talk out of your asshole for the rest of your goddamn life.”
Brian’s eyes had gone so wide that I was shocked they didn’t fall out onto his Gucci shoes. But it wasn’t until I raised my arm, my fist balled tight, that fear entered his eyes.
“Wait, wait,” he cried out, and I held my arm where it was. “I’m sorry.”
“Damn right you are. You’re a sorry sack of shit that’s been a stain on our name for far too long. We’re done. You’re done. And you’ll be lucky if you ever work in this business again—in the mailroom. Now, you can choose to leave quietly in the next five seconds, or I’ll gladly have security toss your ass out. Do we understand each other?”
I punctuated my words by shoving him away so hard that he stumbled and fell back onto his ass. That slicked-back hair fell into his face, which had turned ten shades of crimson, and as I stepped past him, I said, “Oh, and Brian?”
I waited until his eyes met mine again, and then I gave him a savage smile.
“In case it’s not crystal fucking clear—you’re fired.”
Brian scampered off like the cockroach he was, and as he disappeared from sight, he took with him the anger he’d ignited and left me with the original thoughts that had prompted me into the hallway, find the angel and talk to him—but Halo, of course, had vanished in the sea of people and was now nowhere to be found.
Christ. I’d known getting Halo to talk to me tonight would be an uphill battle, just as I’d known he would slam the door in my face if I dared set foot in front of his apartment after the way things ended on his rooftop. But when I followed him into the hallway and finally got my moment alone with him, I’d frozen, lost all my words, because Halo had looked at me with those gorgeous eyes of his, and I’d seen all of the pain and sorrow I felt reflected right back at me.
I’d really messed this thing up. No, not this thing—us. I’d really messed us up, and after copious amounts of alcohol, and four never-ending nights in an empty bed, I’d realized I had fucked up the best thing I’d ever had.
Not getting anywhere standing in an empty hallway, I shoved a hand through my hair and told myself to stop being the coward Halo had called me and go and find him. Find him and tell him what you came here to tell him, or you might as well kiss him goodbye.
I re-entered the party with about as much glee as someone at a funeral, and as I scanned the crowds of people, I couldn’t see Halo anywhere. I wouldn’t have been shocked to hear he had left, fled the scene so he wouldn’t have to see me again. But I also knew how much this moment meant to the angel, and remembered his fierce stance on not quitting just because we no longer were.
“Looking for someone?” At the sound of Killian’s voice, I turned to see him staring out in the same direction I was, and took in his styled hair, navy-blue suit, and the smug smirk on his mouth.
“Pretty sure you know who I’m looking for.”
“Hmm,” Killian said as he slipped his hands into his pockets and then finally looked in my direction. “Is he blond? About our height? Has a killer voice and the ability to make you fucking stupid?”
Ignoring him, I turned back to the people drinking, dancing, and mingling all around us, hoping Killian would get a clue—he didn’t.
“Whatcha been up to this week?” he asked. “Haven’t heard a peep out of you since you took Halo home to meet your mom.”
“Haven’t been up to anything.”
“No?”
“No,” I said, because a. it was the truth, and b. I wasn’t about to tell him I’d spent the last four days in bed, sleeping with the shirt Halo had left behind.
“That’s interesting.”
“What is?”
“I asked Halo the same thing a minute ago, and he said almost exactly the same thing you just did.”
Killian was staring at me with an eyebrow raised, and I knew there was no way I was walking away before he said whatever it was he had tracked me down to say.
“What did you do?” he said.
“Besides fire Brian? You’re welcome, by the way.”
That seemed to bring Killian’s line of questioning to a grinding halt.
“You did what?”
“I fired that miserable cocksucker Brian. He’s a piece of shit, and he pushed me too damn far tonight.”
“Okaaay. We’ll come back to that later. Now, what did you do to Halo?”
Acted like a total asshole. I had fucked over an angel. I was pretty sure that guaranteed me a special spot in hell. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Really? Because when I mentioned your name to Halo a second ago, his eyes took on this look. The same kind of look you get whenever someone mentions Trent. So I’m going to ask you again, what did you do, V?”
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
I rubbed a hand over my mouth and shook my head. “I fucked up, okay? I fucked up the best thing that’ll ever probably happen to me, and I’m trying to find Halo so I can tell him what a goddamn moron I am. So if you know where he is…”
Killian’s lips twitched, as his eyes shifted over my shoulder. “He’s across the room with his sister talking to Lori from Entertainment Daily.”
As soon as the words left Killian’s mouth, I turned back to search Halo out, and sure enough, there he was standing opposite the curvaceous TV host, smiling politely.
Without any other thought in my head, bar getting to him before he disappeared again, I made a beeline through the crowd, my final destination clear. As my legs ate up the space between me and him, people moved aside, clearly sensing they should get the fuck out of my way and not bother trying to stop me. I was on a mission, and I was willing to walk over anyone to reach Halo.
As I closed in on him, his sister, Imogen, spotted me first, her eyes widening slightly—in alarm or surprise, I couldn’t be sure. But before she could lean in and warn Halo of my imminent arrival, I opened my mouth and made sure he knew exactly who it was who had just stopped behind him.
“Angel.” When Halo’s head jerked in my direction, his lips parted, no doubt with a dismissal on them, but I beat him to the punch. �
�Can I speak to you for a minute?”
Halo’s eyes narrowed, and as he stood there trying to work out what the hell I was up to, I could feel both his sister’s and Lori’s eyes boring into me.
“I’m busy right now,” Halo said, polite as ever, and then went back to the conversation. But that wasn’t going to work for me. I needed to talk to him. To tell him how wrong I’d been. How stupid, and that he was right: ending things had been the biggest fucking mistake of my life.
“Angel, I—”
“He’s busy,” Imogen said softly, but firmly, and when my eyes flicked to hers, I knew she was aware of everything that had gone down between me and her brother. She was aware and not fucking happy about it. Join the damn club. I don’t think I could ever forget Halo’s final words to me that night on his roof, and if he’d felt half as shitty as I had at hearing them, then I deserved every ounce of the disgust Imogen was aiming my way.
“I just want to—”
Halo turned on me, his eyes flashing as that fire from Monday night came to a head and he said between gritted teeth, “Not now, Viper.”
But this time when he turned his back on me, Halo excused himself from Lori and went to leave. He got about two steps away, and before I knew what the hell I was doing, I said, “Well, then you let me know when you’re ready, so I can tell you how much I fucking love you.”
Halo came to an abrupt standstill, his entire body freezing in place, along with every other person in the near vicinity, and then he slowly circled back to face me. His eyes were wide, disbelief stamped all over his face, as his mouth opened and shut as though he were trying to speak but nothing would come out.
I didn’t think it was possible to be standing in such a crowded room and have it fall silent, but the only sound I could hear was the music playing overhead mixing with the rush of blood in my ears. Everyone had stopped talking, because everyone was staring at the two of us, but the only person I could see was standing too far away from me.
I took the two steps needed to close the distance between us, and when I finally reached Halo, he blinked and shook his head.
VIPER (Fallen Angel Book 2) Page 21
