as the real thing.
If I ended up being banned from the club, which could happen once my story was published—if it ever was published—I’d miss the place, for sure. I took one more glance around and actually felt a little sad.
With G’s hand on the small of my back, we maneuvered through the good-looking crowd, busy flirting with each other and making new friends.
It was no surprise when M suddenly appeared in front of us.
“Hello M,” G said, wrapping an arm around my waist.
If I hadn’t known better, I’d swear he was being protective.
A benevolent smile spread across her face. She looked right at me as if G weren’t there.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” she said to me. “The night is young.”
She placed a hand on my arm. Perhaps too firmly.
I shook it off.
“Our friend, B, has an early morning planned. She’s heading out now,” G said as we turned to maneuver around her.
But she stepped in our way, continuing to ignore him. “B, before you leave, do you have a moment to chat in my office?”
“She’s leaving now.” G pushed me toward the door.
M was trying to keep me, G was trying to rush me out. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but there was no doubt I just wanted to leave.
I looked from one to the other. “I am leaving now. Hope to see you both soon.”
I bolted for the door, taking a look back before it slammed shut. G’s arms were crossed, and M leaned toward him with narrow eyes but an angelic smile, whispering.
I ran to my car and locked my doors.
Chapter 30
Varden
Thank god I’d been there to keep M from sinking her long and vicious claws into Saffi—who knew what that crazy witch could do.
My gut told me not to trust her. And my gut was nearly always right.
M turned to me after Saffi ran out the door, daggers in her eyes. “I needed to speak with her,” she spat, trying to see my eyes beyond the mask.
I placed a hand on her arm to calm her. “She has an early morning, like I told you.”
“I heard you.” She turned to walk away, but before she could, I grabbed her arm.
“What did you need to talk to her about so urgently? What couldn’t wait for another time?” I knew the answer but wanted her to say it.
“You know why I wanted to talk to her. I want to find out more about her. Figure out who she is, and why she’s coming here. Something about her is not on the up-and-up.”
“Would you relax? She comes here to get off, like everyone else does,” I lied. “And now, I hope she’s coming here to see me.”
“Thanks for doing your part to keep the club safe from the wrong people.”
She turned on her heel and left me standing there in the midst of the revelers.
Whoa.
My head was reeling and the mask was suddenly blistering hot—hotter than normal. It was all I could do to keep from tearing it off. An enthusiastic couple running for a private room slammed into me, leaving me teetering and careening into others. No one took notice as I fought to regain my balance.
When had the place become so crowded?
I struggled for long, deep breaths in the noisy overheated room and pushed for the door, ignoring greetings from other guests. Bursting into the cool, San Francisco night, I was relieved to find the street in front of the club empty and quiet. I ripped at my mask to gulp some fresh air and ran for my car.
I was done with that place for the night and since it was early yet, I called my brother to see if he wanted to go for a bite to eat.
On the short drive home I thought back to our younger days, before we could legally drink, when we’d go out for a beer at the local dive that wasn’t concerned about serving minors. Even back then, one or two brews would turn into ten or a dozen for Beau.
That was the beginning of the end for him, and his life hadn’t been the same since. For him, a beer once in a while turned into every night of the week, and several years on, I’d lost track of the number of times I’d put him in rehab, only to have him backslide.
And yet, I’d never give up on him. Never.
“Beau! Watcha doin?” I called as I came through the front door.
“Whattup, bro?” Beau asked as