Page 6 of Taken By the Twins

He takes one look at me, nods, and says, “Evening, Ms. Lewis. Take the elevator on the left. Go straight up. Ms. Landry has been expecting you.”

Shehas?

I’m not the type to look a gift horse in the mouth. If that guy thinks Sierra’s going to be pleased I’m dropping in unannounced on New Year’s Eve without an express invitation, I’m not going to be the one to correct him.

Taking his advice, I tuck my clutch under my arm and press the ‘up’ button. Stepping inside the mirrored elevator, I fluff my hair as I make my way to the top.

The elevator deposits me in a narrow hall that leads to Sierra’s front door. I form a fist, ready to knock, then remember that the man at the desk said she’s waiting for me. I’m still surprised by that, but even more surprised that the famous Whiskey Rose is staying home on New Year’s freaking Eve.

Grabbing the knob, I turn it. My eyebrows wing up.

The door’s unlocked.

Weird. I guess, since the Dorado has a doorman and a concierge down below, Sierra doesn’t worry about security. The elevator needs to be keyed in to get to her floor, so even if one of the other residents decided to go around and check if the doors were open, they couldn’t. In that case, she could leave it open if she wants—which makes it easier for me.

Letting myself into the apartment, telling myself that Sierra would expect nothing less from Tandy Lewis—who could’ve tried calling her but, nope, she made an unexpected appearance instead—I walk in.

“Hello?”

No answer.

My heels clack against her floor. I raise my voice. “Sierra? Billie? You guys here?”

Still nothing.

None of the lights are on. I find one switch and flip it. The room off of the hallway is a fancy living room, complete with a chaise lounge and a mantelpiece full of every sort of award an entertainer in my industry can win.

No Sierra, though.

Just in case, I step into the room. Looking around, I double-check that she’s not hiding in a corner—I don’t know why, itmakes sense at the time—before I turn, ready to see if she’s hanging out in the kitchen.

However, right as I do, something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye.

What’s that?

CHAPTER 3

GRIMOIRE DU SOMBRA

TANDY

It’s a book.

Now, I’m not much of a reader. Never have been. It happens. While Billie’s nose was always in a book, and she nagged Sierra enough that they formed their own little two-person book club while I napped on the tour bus, I never saw the point in reading. Part of a best-selling girl group by the time I was fifteen, touring the world from sixteen to twenty before it all came crashing down… I had more than enough adventures in my real life. I didn’t need to read about them.

Same thing with romance. Before Jared, I convinced myself I was in love with Corey, the bad boy of Cool Guyz. He was my first everything, and when that didn’t work out, he left me easy pickings for his bandmate to scoop up.

I’ve been head-over-heels in love—or believed I was. I’ve experienced heartache. Betrayal. Hurt. None of my romances came with a happily ever after, and reading about them made me jealous of the fictional characters who had them.

True love doesn’t exist. There’s infatuation and lust—I won’t deny that—and sudden attraction that’ll have my ankles up by my ears for a guy with a charming smile and slick line. But romance?

Like chivalry, I’m pretty sure it’s dead.

But that’s okay. I don’t need love to get laid, and if I’m not happy with my lot, that’s what the new year is for, right? Things will get better.

Hey. At least I’m not the one knocked-up, yeah?

But a book… I shouldn’t be nosy. Not that it’s going tostopme or anything. That book isn’t mine, and for all I know, it’s a baby name book. Maybe it was a gift from Billie to Sierra for Christmas. I could see her giving Sierra an old, rare book that was hard to get her hands on amidst plenty of other gifts.

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