“Yougoing toleave that eyelash half on?”
Looking in the mirror, I sighed. I’d misappliedthe right lash. “Well,shit. Thanks.”
“Let’s try to make it through this last number before you combust, ‘kay?”
I pressed the eyelash down, making a fish face to focus. Blinking rapidly, I blew out a breath when the eyelash stayed put. “Go fuck yourself,Jazzy.” I gave her a dazzling smile, and she laughed. Blowing me a kiss, we went to line up at the stage door.
The number went off without a hitch, the crowd whistling and begging for more. One man in the front row caught my eye. Dark hair flopped over dark eyes, and for a moment,I thought my prayers had been answered,and Luca was there.
That optimism only lasted until I was able to make out his cruel face sneering at me. My instincts were screaming at me that I was in danger. Standing in his crosshairs, I was vulnerable,and it wasn’t because I was in only pasties and panties. This man was devouring me with his eyes. Never had a smile been so hard. My cheeks ached with the effort. Evie kept talking, promoting upcoming shows and the bar specials still going on.
With one final group flourish, I hurried off stage.
I waited until the last possible second to leave the dressing room, praying that the creep master would be long gone.
Of course, he wasn’t.
Next to Chloe stood Mr. Menacing. He rubbed his chin and moved toward me.
Standing on my tiptoes, I searched the crowded bar for Jazz, only to find her wrapped around an equally tall and lean goddess.
I was on my own.
Quickly, I darted between people, trying to make my way to the side exit, but someone grabbed my elbow. Panicked, I tightened my grip on my stage bag, and I swung it. It landed with a resoundingthudagainstMalcolm’s stomach.
“Shit. Sasha, it’s just me.” He coughed,looking at the bag in his hands. “What the fuck is in there?”
“About twenty pounds of makeup and thirty pounds of shoes. Why the fuckareyou sneaking up and grabbing women in bars?”
He pulled the bag from me and threw it over his shoulder. “I shouted your name, but you were zoned out. Can we head back to your place? I have what you were looking for.”
Throwing a quick peek over my shoulder, ole creepy bastard was watching us with interest. I pulled Malcolm’s free arm around my shoulder and moved toward the exit.
“There’s a creep watching me. Ham this shit up.”
Malcolm kissed the top of my head, glancing behind us. “Got ’em.”
We quickly got in my car and drove away. Silence settled between us,making me antsy.
“So, how’s it going?”
Malcolm raised his eyebrow at me. “Seven months and you want to make small talk?”
Pushing my hair back, I rolled my eyes. “Fine, what do you have on Luca?”
“I think it’s better if I can show you while I explain.”
Stopped at a red light, I turned toward his stupid, smirking face. “Whatever.”
Seven excruciatingly silent minutes later,and we were home. “Thank fuck! Come on, let’s sit at the table.”
Malcolm laid out abunchof folders.
“Alright, let me get this all out before you start askingquestions.Okay?”
I nodded, plopping down in a chair.
Opening the first folder, Malcolm removed a series of photos and laid them out in front of me. Immediately,my eyes zeroed in on the creepy man from the show. “Hey, that’s—”