Page 41 of Steal My Breath Away

Haley sucked in her lips as she drew in a shuddering breath. “When I sing, it’s like maybe, for a few minutes, I can have all that back. I can matter again. It’s like… if I don’t take every chance, if I don’t try, then what was all that pain for?” Her hands tightened around the mug and her voice rose in a pleading tone. “I need this, Ace. I need to matter. I need to prove that I can do something with my life—that I’m not just stuck in the shadow of everyone I’ve lost. Maybe if I make it as a singer, maybe if people see me, then I’ll feel like I’m worth something again.”

I’d always known that I’d hurt Haley when I walked away, but I hadn’t really considered that I’d compounded her trauma. She’d lost both her dad and her brother, and I was no better thanher mom, who had emotionally abandoned her by throwing herself into her new career when Haley needed her the most. I had come to protect her, but the job also gave me the opportunity to make up for past mistakes and show her that maybe we could move forward together.

“What time do you need to be there?” I’d talk to Jordan about getting some backup. This was important to Haley. I’d make it happen.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Six o’clock.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Bin 46 was an Art Deco–inspired rooftop bar set twenty-five stories above the city with sweeping views of the skyline. According to Jordan, who had sent me the bar and building schematics, the open-air terrace was perfect for hot, sunny afternoons in the summer, but also transitioned into the winter with fire pits, warm drinks, and cozy couches. The nightly programming, including DJ sets, acoustic music series, and live runway shows, made it a prime location for everyone from CEOs to attention-seekers, and anyone who loved watching people.

“How did you get this gig?” I asked as the elevator whisked us up to the top of the hotel. I’d arranged with Jordan for two plainclothes Stellar Security officers to attend the venue, although I hadn’t told Haley in case it made her nervous. She was in a good mood because she’d won her battle, but she’d inadvertently given me something more valuable in return—a glimpse into what made her tick and how deep her trauma ran.

“I came for an open mic night in my freshman year,” she said. “Ryan, the manager, liked my sound, but he liked how I looked in a low-cut dress even more.” She held up her hand. “Don’t start. There are some lines I’m willing to cross for a shot at fame.”

I already hated Ryan and I hadn’t even met the dude.

“He needed a cocktail server who could pick up the odd shift when someone was sick and didn’t need pesky things like benefitsor official pay slips,” she continued. “I needed experience on stage and visibility with the high-profile people who come here. So, we worked out a deal.”

I took a quick look around when we reached the open-air venue, noting the limited elevator access, the single fire exit, and the crowded tables. “I don’t like it.” Even with the backup, I was tempted to enforce rule one and march Haley out of there.

“You don’t have to like it.” She patted my shoulder. “You just have to keep me safe.”

I took up a position outside the locker room while Haley changed. Only a few moments later, a dude in a mauve shirt and tight gray pants with a sheen designed to make small things look bigger pushed past me and walked through the door.

Hand on my weapon, I followed him in, my eyes on Haley to see if she knew him.

“You’re late,” he said to her.

“I have twenty minutes before my shift starts, Ryan, and you’re in the women’s changing room.” She glanced over his shoulder and shook her head when she saw me reaching for the dude’s collar.

Ryan turned and startled when he saw me, as if he hadn’t just shoved me aside. “Who the fuck are you?”

“He’s my bod—”

“Boyfriend,” I interjected. I had a feeling Ryan wouldn’t take kindly to the extra security in his bar. I’d asked one of the Stellar guards to stand in the hallway, and the other was nursing a glass of water in the far corner of the bar.

“Just what I need.” Ryan sighed. “Tell the boyfriend to get lost, sweetheart. He’ll kill the vibe.”

Haley frowned. “What vibe?”

“The hot-girl-who-flirts-with-the-customers-so-they’ll-buy-more-drinks-thinking-they-might-get-lucky vibe.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I thought I was being civil, but the words came out in a growl.

“Definitely a vibe-killer,” Ryan said. “Tell him to take a hike.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re not staying here dressed like that.” He gestured vaguely to my jeans and Henley. “We have a dress code.”

I’d briefly wondered why the officers Jordan had sent were both wearing suits. Clearly, I’d become too used to dressing as a college student. “I’ve got a suit in my vehicle,” I assured him. “We’ll be back in five.”

“You’d better be back in time for her shift or I’ll start docking Haley’s pay.” His gaze narrowed. “And you’d better be planning to buy some drinks. Our seats are for paying customers.”

“I’ll make sure you aren’t out of pocket.”

“And you’d better stay away from Haley,” he added. “She has a job to do and it involves getting the customers to like her.”

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