Page 4 of Monsters Wear Crowns
“What!” Her eyebrows shot up. “Who? Why the fuck haven’t you mentioned this?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed heavily. “And...a man. Dressed in black, hood up. Stood outside the door like he was waiting for me to open it.”
Laura’s lips pressed together into a thin line. “That’s creepy. Did you call security?”
“I didn’t. He only rang a couple of times.”
She sighed, leaning back in her chair, fingers tapping the desk. “If you’re worried–”
“I’ll keep an eye on it. But it’s probably nothing,” I said, though the words didn’t sit well in my stomach.
“If he’sstalkingyou, it’s notnothing.” Laura pushed her chair back and stood up. “Look, I’ll walk you home if you need. You know I’ve got your back.”
“I know,” I said, meeting her eyes. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you.”
“Fine. Now,” she said with a quick change of subject,walking to the small fridge in the corner of her office. “You’re coming out with me tonight, right? I need to get out of this office. I’ve been pulling, like, twelve-hour days this week. We can go to the bar lounge and let off some steam. You’ve been working yourself to the bone, too.”
I considered it for a moment. “Maybe. I could use a distraction.”
“Maybe?No way. I’m dragging you out. You’ve got to stop hiding behind your work all the time.” She pulled two glasses from her shelf, swiftly pouring a shot of whiskey into each. “Trust me, you’ll feel better. And ifanyonecan show you a good time, it’s me.”
I took the glass from her. “Okay, okay. You win. But just a few hours. I can’t afford to be off my game. I have to fly to Fort Lauderdale and go over a few things with Bart.”
“Blegh,” she scrunched her face in disgust. “That man is scary. How’s his money laundering?”
I rolled my eyes. “As exciting as ever, trust me.” I pinched my sinuses, willing away the headache already forming.
Laura grinned, her mischievous smile almost as dangerous as the weapons we sometimes handled in our line of business. “Good. We’ll go, have a blast, and then you can return to your littlefortress of control. Perhaps even with a little friend.”
As she returned to her desk, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering feeling that something was about to shift. I felt my control shifting, like claws tearing around in flesh. With a sigh, I downed the drink and headed for my office.
Chapter 2
The bass from the bar lounge pulsed through my chest, swallowing everything else. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, perfume, and the kind of desperation that only appeared under neon lights. Bodies pressed together on the dance floor, lost in the music and the promise of forgetting. I could use someforgetting.
Laura, the devil on my shoulder, pressed a shot into my hand. “To losing control,” she shouted over the music, her blue eyes flashing with mischief.
I smirked, clinking my glass against hers. “To pretending we ever had it.” The burn of tequila was sharp and clean, a fleeting warmth that chased away the day’s headache.
She grabbed my wrist, dragging me into the chaos of the dance floor. She was wild and unapologetic–hips swaying, arms in the air, reveling in the attention of strangers who dared to get too close.
The pulse of the night felt good. The alcohol, the music, Laura’s laughter–it chipped away at the ice I’d wrapped around myself this past week. All of the long days at the office and threats I had to make to any unruly clients.
But just as I spun back to Laura, I froze.
I felt it.
The unmistakable sensation of being watched. It was different fromthe usual fleeting glances and hungry stares the bar invited. This onelingeredheavily. I slowed, my body still moving with the beat, but my senses sharpened. I scanned the dim space, neon lights slicing through the dark. Faces blurred–too many, too close.
Then, through the haze of movement, my eyes landed onhim.
A man, leaning against the upstairs balcony, his silhouette carved from shadow. His black hood again concealed his face. The crowd flowed around him, but he remained still, detached. He wasn’t drinking. He wasn’t with anyone. He was simply...watching.
My pulse quickened, but not from fear. From something far more dangerous. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I seriously contemplated marching right up to him and demanding a dance.
I felt Laura appear at my side, following my gaze. “Well, well,” she purred, her lips curving in a wicked smile. “Seems like you’ve got an admirer. And not the usual desperate type.”
“I noticed.” My voice was even, but my heart was racing.
