Chapter 5
Jessica burst into the dressing room backstage, startling several of the girls who worked the next set. She plopped down on the stool in front of her mirror, pulled the silk scarf from her neck and lowered her face into her hands.
Of all the strip clubs in the world, Sed had to show up in hers.
Don’t let him get to you. You’re over him. Remember?
Someone dropped a robe around her shoulders. She glanced up at Beth’s cousin, Agatha, the black-haired dominatrix who worked the south stage.
“You okay, kitten?”
Jessica nodded and wiped at a stray tear with the back of her hand. “Yeah, I just didn’t expect to see a man from my past. That’s all.”
“That guy who pulled you offstage?”
“Yeah. I was engaged to him once.”
“He told me to give you this.” Aggie dropped a fat stack of cash onto Jessica’s dressing table.
“Oh my God, that ass! Do you see why I couldn’t marry him?” She looked up at Aggie, beseeching her for understanding.
“Uh no, actually, I don’t. The guy is hotter than Phoenix in July. Absolutely gorgeous. That big, hard body. And that sweet, handsome face that completely contrasts with his ‘who gives a shit what you think’ aura. Growl.” She bared her teeth, ruby red lips curling.
Aggie’s ever-expressive face made Jessica smile. Just a little.
“You got all that from talking to him for twenty seconds?”
“Hey, you work in this business for very long and you get to know men. If he’s carrying around that kind of cash, I’m guessing your eye candy is rich, too. Booyah!” Aggie thrust a fist in the air.
“No. No, booyah. He’s not only rich, he’s famous, which means his ego is larger than Alaska.”
Aggie’s brows drew together. “Famous?”
“Lead singer of Sinners. The band.”
“I think I’ve heard of them. Rock music?”
“Hard rock. And you missed his most notorious ‘quality.’” She finger quoted. “He has an insatiable appetite for sex. You can’t get him out of bed long enough to have a decent conversation with him.”
Aggie laughed, blue eyes twinkling. “I’m liking him more and more, doll.”
“You’re welcome to him.”
Aggie’s eyes wandered toward the ceiling as her expression turned thoughtful. “I don’t think he’d be fun to dominate. I would probably just tick him off.”
“I’m sure.”
Jessica’s gaze moved to the dressing table and the thousands of dollars sitting on its surface, mocking her. It would take her weeks to earn that kind of money, and Sed just tossed it around like it was a pittance. To him, it was. The bastard. Flaunting his wealth. Thinking it made him superior.
Jessica shook her head in annoyance, jumped to her feet, and scooped the money off the dressing table. Sliding her arms into the robe sleeves, she rushed out of the dressing room. She ran through the club with her robe flapping behind her and burst through the front doors, looking for signs of Sedric Lionheart. Apparently, he was long gone.
“Damn that man,” she muttered under her breath.
She’d just have to hunt him down and shove his unwanted money in his face. He always did this. Treated her like she couldn’t take care of herself. Like she needed Mr. Ego Trip to look after her. He’d never learn. Stupid ass**le.
Someone needed to teach the guy a lesson.
Chapter 6
Sed entered the tour bus first, his bruised and bloodied band mates behind him. Myrna sat at the small square dining table working at her laptop computer. She glanced up and her pretty hazel eyes widened in surprise.
Sed massaged his scalp. Fuck, what a night. Topped off with telling Myrna he’d broken his promise and failed to keep Brian safe.
“What are you guys doing back so early?” Myrna asked. “I thought you’d be out until dawn.”
Sed blew out his cheeks as he tried to think of the right words. “I have to apologize to you, Myrna.”
Her brow furrowed and she glanced behind Sed to Eric. Her eyes widened. “Oh my God, Eric. What happened?”
She jumped from the bench seat and pushed Sed aside. Easing Eric onto the cream-colored leather couch, she inspected the bleeding gash over his left eye. She turned, hurriedly wet a dish towel in the small stainless steel sink, and moved to dab at the blood running down the side of Eric’s strong jaw. Eric winced, but smiled with pleasure as she fussed over him.
“Were you in an accident? Wait…” She looked at Sed. “Why are you apologizing to me, Sed? You didn’t wreck my car, did you?”
He opened his mouth to explain, but she lifted a hand to stop him.
“You know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s just a car. At least you’re all right. Where’s Brian?” She glanced at Trey, who was searching the freezer for ice. And then Jace, who was trying to realign his jaw by shifting it back and forth with his horribly swollen and bloodied hand. “Where’s Brian?” she repeated, a panicked edge to her voice.
“Brian’s safe. We weren’t in an accident, Myrna.” Sed cleared his throat. It hurt to talk. How in the hell was he going to sing tomorrow?
“Then what happened?” She headed for the bus exit, anxiety marring her lovely face. “Brian?”
Brian stepped around the corner wearing Sed’s mirrored sunglasses. “Hey, sweetheart. How was your evening? Did you get a lot of work done?”
Sed chuckled and shook his head. He’d wondered why Brian had wanted to borrow his shades. Like Myrna wouldn’t notice his two black eyes at the altar tomorrow.
Myrna flew into Brian’s arms. He winced in pain, but she had her face pressed against his neck, so didn’t see his expression. “You scared me,” she said. “I thought you were hurt.”
Brian wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m okay.”
Sed glanced at Trey, who was now holding a towel full of ice to the back of his head. “You need to call your brother.” They were opening for his brother’s band the next evening. Or they were supposed to. They weren’t fit to perform now.
“I’ve had enough ass whippings for one day, thank you very much,” Trey said. “You call him.”
Myrna removed Brian’s sunglasses and looked up at him. He avoided her gaze. “You’ve been fighting?”
“Wait, wait. I can explain.”
She shoved him hard in the shoulder. “Am I marrying a seventh grader? I can’t believe this.”