I feel the pain in her words as if it were my own and it makes me want to reach out for Gage Rush or Aziel.
Polaris’ sister, Nova Masters, is expecting her first baby with the head of the mafia and badass biker, Ares. My new friend is right. They are dealing with their own shit right now. Bad family blood, the fight against the same people who kidnapped and nearly trafficked Polaris, and probably more shit I don’t know about. Going back to New York would not be a good idea. It would be traumatic and I won’t let that happen.
“Please listen to me,” she begs again and it’s growing intensely harder to stay quiet. My heart wants to weep at the pain in her voice. I grip the ends of my Guns N’ Roses T-shirt and inhale the scent of Gage’s cologne to settle my nerves. It works but doesn’t stop the wall of tears threatening to tumble. I fight hard to hold them in check.
I press all of my body to the wall and strain my hearing but there’s nothing but continued silence.
Polaris can’t leave. Harlon wouldn’t do that to her? I won’t let him throw my best friend out. Where would she go? Who would protect her? She’s already gone through so much.
“Polaris, damn it.”
That is Harlon. I pause, ready to bust in and save my friend.
“Santi.”
My brows shoot up. There is a totally different tone to the way Polaris says Santi’s name. There’s pleading and then there is sultry begging. Low pants and harsh breathing filter through the quiet space. Where is all the kitchen staff? And the waitresses?
I move to step around the corner when I hear footsteps come up from behind me. I jump when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder. Seized by a strong grip, I am whirled around and pinned to an unforgiving chest.
Brown eyes pierce mine.
“Cassius.” I breathe out, picking my heart off the floor for a second time tonight.
“As I said, we can’t have you here, woman. You leave tonight.”
Harlon’s tone is razor-sharp. Deadly.
Water spills out to wet my lashes for the fear my friend must be feeling. “Cassius, please,” I gruffly whisper as I look up at him. My heart clenches and I can’t take my eyes off Cassius out of fear of losing a friend.
He holds a finger to his lips. “Don’t speak of this to anyone, Belle. Not if you care for Polaris.”
I nod.
“Go now, sweetheart. I need to help your brother and my friend with something.”
“And Polaris?”
His face turns grim. “She’s not going anywhere. That’s a fucking promise.”
Back in my room I grab my phone and slide down the back of my door wanting to cry and bury my face into Rush’s chest while Gage and Aziel hold me. I pull up our group chat and send out a message.
I miss you.
Aziel is the first to reply.
Come back to us.
I send back:
I wish I couldand drop my phone on the bed wishing I had full control over my life.
Ten
Belle
The next evening, I pace the small space of carpeted flooring in my dressing room. The unsigned contracts are on the table along with a blue pen. I read them the second I arrived. It’s an open-ended contract. We—Gages, Rush, Aziel, and myself—are obligated to perform at least eight times over the course of three months in Room Two also known as the Mirror Room. The first week we must perform at least five times with the remaining three nights at our leisure.
Eight times in front of a crowd.