Page 21 of With this Ring

When she’d checked in, she’d stared straight into the security camera.

She’d connected with Gregorio—instinct told her that, even if she had no way of actually confirming it.

Drawing her eyebrows together, pretending to be a little lost, she asked Brandy, “Can you point me in the direction of the locker room?”

“As long as you promise you won’t hide in there all night,” Brandy teased.

She winced. “Am I that obvious?”

“Believe me, I totally understand. I was a bundle of nerves the first time I attended.”

Skeptically, Sasha raised an eyebrow. Brandy seemed so controlled, and she was both classy and poised.

“I swear. I was so nervous, tripping over my tongue as well as my feet.” Then, reassuringly, she added, “If I can do it, you can do it.”

Sasha appreciated the pep talk. But if Brandy had any idea why Sasha was really here, she would never have been allowed to walk through the door.

“I’m here all night if you need a friend.”

“Thank you.” Sasha forced a small smile. “I appreciate that.”

“Jeff runs multiple shuttles back to town. And the shuttle is on a loop. If you want to leave at any point, just let the valet know.”

“You think of everything.”

“Honestly, I’m a bit of an introvert. I love spending time at home with my menagerie.” She shrugged. “So I understand being more comfortable if there’s an escape plan.”

Sasha never entered a place without noting all the ways she could get away, in case things went horrifically wrong. More than once, they had.

“Locker room’s that way.” Brandy pointed. “Remember to enjoy yourself. This is supposed to be fun.”

Funwasn’t the word she’d use. “Thanks again.”

As she turned to walk away, Brandy’s voice stopped Sasha.

“And Petal?”

She glanced over her shoulder. Again she wondered what had possessed her to use that as a scene name.

“Chocolate helps.”

This time she smiled. “That definitely couldn’t hurt.”

After finding the locker room, she stashed her gear and double-checked that her outfit was still covering her naughty parts. Then she checked her makeup.

When she smoothed her hair, she realized Brandy had been right. Sasha was stalling, something unusual, even when she was in a new situation.

Slowly, she clenched and unclenched her fists before pushing through the exit.

Rock music thumped erotically in the air.

Erotically?

Shaking her head, she shoved the fanciful thought aside. She was only here to get Gregorio’s help.

She wandered through the house, resisting the petit fours as she exited onto the back patio.

Why haven’t you found me yet?

---