Page 97 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

24

Against the setting sun and a purple and black sky, they arrived at a majestic Art Deco mansion.

The stretch limousine that had brought them there stopped beside a red carpet that rolled out from a set of stone stairs. Spotlights shone down, illuminating the sea of celebrities that posed for the cameras lining each side of the carpet.

Lights flashed, white teeth beamed out of the night. Adele, who had ridden with them, got out of the car. “Showtime folks. Jane, it’s time for you to shine.”

Logan emerged to cheers (and a few boos) from the crowd. He reacted as if he had only heard the encouragement and waved at the gathered spectators.

He took hold of Jane’s hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. She stepped out and was immediately blinded by cameras. Voiceless faces shouted her name.

“Jane! You look great!”

“Over here, please.”

“This way, Jane!”

The attention was deafening, the flashing lights and the crowd, overwhelming.

“Try to relax,” Logan advised. “They only want to see how stunning you are.”

Though he must have said this to every date he’d ever taken to something like this, Jane found her courage building. This was such a special event, she should try to savor each moment as she might never be a part of again.

If she had any family out there, surely they would see these pictures? She was comforted by the thought until another took over her mind: as soon as her family learned where she was, she would be back to her old life, and Logan… all of this, would be gone.

The sobering thought forced her to stand straighter. She had to live for the present, enjoy every moment she had with him as it could soon be all gone.

She turned to the cameras as they captured the excited smile on her face. Hand in hand, they walked up the red carpet, stopping now and then for more pictures. Occasionally, Logan would move to the barriers that held the public at bay, and pose for selfies or sign autographs. Some of the fans even wanted Jane in the shot, which she gladly obliged. The worship that came along with the fame was a heady mix: she could see how easy it would be to lose yourself to it if you didn’t keep both feet on the ground.

Inside, the now black sky formed a dramatic backdrop against the domed glass ceiling. A big band played popular songs that even Jane recognized in a jazzy style. Dancers swirled across the floor, a kaleidoscope of color and motion. There was laughter, chatter and merriment everywhere she looked.

“Logan Steel! So good to see you again, my love,” a redheaded woman with curves so dangerous that she should need a license to weld them, purred. An equally attractive, strong-jawed man stood smiling beside her.

“Mandy! Didn’t think I’d see you here tonight,” Logan kissed both her cheeks, shook her husband’s hand.

“I had to meet this mysterious woman who has stolen your heart.” To Jane, the smile offered wasn’t as sultry, though it was genuine. “Lovely to meet you, Dear.”

Jane returned her smile, taking Mandy’s elegant hand in her own. “I’m Jane.”

“I starred in one of Stonewall’s movies a few years back. Stonewall’s the CEO of Pinnacle Studios. He bankrolled one of my first movies,” Logan explained.

“Yes, and we should talk about the possibility of another venture together,” Stonewall offered. “If you’d stop running off to make all these action films, anytime you want to do something more character based, call me.”

“None of that right now, gentleman. No business tonight, not when you have two lovely women waiting for a dance,” Mandy interrupted.

“Of course. How is Lexi these days? It must be awhile since I’ve seen her. Is she still as strong-willed as I remember?” Logan enquired.

Stonewall raised a brow. “Worse. She is madly in love with the bodyguard we hired to protect her.”

“After that kidnapping scare?”

“Yes.”

“I remember seeing him at her birthday party. Tall, lethal looking. Is he the one who saved her?”

Stonewall nodded. “Let’s not forget, he also let the man take her in the first place. No one seems to ever mention that…”

Exasperated, Mandy sighed. “Honey, stop. You’ve got to let that go or Lexi’s going to take real issue with you.”

---