in and whispered, “Walk in the water. The dogs can’t track you there.” Then Royce was pulled away again, leaving Scarlett blinking in confusion as they disappeared into the darkness beyond the pulsing lights. He was delirious. Sick and unhinged.
She turned, tears blurring her vision. A man reached out, his hand sliding over her ass as she jumped away, out of his reach, hurrying forward. “Come on, baby,” he called behind her. “Don’t act like you’re not bought and paid for.” Laughter. She scooted around a couple who was embracing, her head thrown back, his face planted in the hollow of her throat. Next to them, a man leaned over a table and snorted a line of white powder off the glass surface.
Out, out, get me out.
Scarlett stepped into a darkened corner where she had a view of the entryway and sighed in relief to see that, other than Johnny, it was clear. The members of Royce’s security team—the ones who may or may not recognize her—were no longer there. She stepped away from where she’d attempted to merge with the shadows, when a hand clamped down on her arm and she was pulled to the side, her back hitting the wall. She let out a fearful whimper. A man pressed his body to hers, leaning in close so his mouth was at her ear. “What are you doing, Scarlett?” he grated.
Scarlett froze, the fight response she’d been about to give in to fading as her breath escaped her mouth in a sudden whoosh of air. Camden? Shock infused her cells. But how? Why? It couldn’t be . . . but . . . she knew his voice, remembered the feel of his body over hers, knew the particular scent of his skin, though she’d only smelled him this close on one other occasion. Oh yes, it was him. She’d thought she’d seen him in the lobby, had recognized the particular way he held himself and she’d been right. Despite herself, despite the fear and the confusion of this situation, every part that made her a woman responded to the man pressed against her. And something even deeper than that, experienced a soft wave of relief at his presence. She shoved the feelings down. All of them. She couldn’t trust herself because she couldn’t trust him.
Why was he here? In LA? At a Hollywood party with call girls? Her stomach soured. He was a liar and dammit she’d liked him. She’d liked him more than she wanted to admit. “I’m not working this party if that’s what you think. I came here to see if I could find Royce and ask him some questions about Haddie,” she admitted. “My outfit gained me admittance, nothing else.” Dammit, why was she explaining herself to him?
His head came back, eyes intense. “I didn’t think you were working this party.” He paused. “Did you? Find him?” He looked over her shoulder as if searching the party for the man.
She nodded, her expression crumbling slightly before she gathered herself. “Yes. I did. He was drunk and high. Useless. It was a bad idea. Now what are you doing here?”
His eyes scrutinized her face and something gentled in his expression. He reached up and dragged a thumb under her eye. “Scarlett. What happened?”
More tears threatened. She was sad and mad and deeply confused and she just wanted to get out of there. “Why are you here, Camden?” she repeated.
A muscle ticked in his jaw and he glanced up and around. “I followed you . . . I’m trying to protect you.”
Protect her? “From what?”
His gaze darted around behind her. “I can’t tell you. Not here.”
A sound of frustration came up her throat. Enough of these useless men who couldn’t or wouldn’t help her with the basic truth. “God. I’ve had enough of your protection. Let me leave.”
He pressed his lips together and then nodded to two more men standing by the elevator. “I’ll cover you.”
Scarlett paused but she really didn’t want to risk being seen or questioned by anyone, so she moved under his arm when he lifted it, and leaned her head into him as though they were having an intimate conversation. They walked together to the elevator where Johnny gave him a nod, barely sparing her a glance. Obviously, she and the other women there were nothing more than entertainment, no more important than if he’d had a beer bottle in his hand.
Three minutes later they were stepping out of the elevator and walking