Page 29 of Love In The Shadows

Soft lighting lowered inhibitions and provided a sense of anonymity. No clocks on the walls ensured fewer distractions and stress. All club employees spoke in husky tones, offered warm, flirtatious smiles, and wore semi-risqué clothing to help set the mood.

I glanced around the club once more. Things were definitely winding down for the night as it neared midnight. There still was no sign of Bennett. I nibbled on my lower lip, wondering if I should ask Sydney if she’d seen him leave. But that would only draw more attention to my interest in him. If Paige knew we’d hooked up in a private room, who else did?

Sydney didn’t appear to know. Or, if she did, she was hiding it well.

“Yeah, I think I will. As long as you’re good here?”

She nodded. “Yup. All set. Barbie will be back soon anyway.”

“All right.” I stooped to access the small safe under the bar. The bartenders stashed their stuff in there at the beginning of the night. Paige told me I was welcome to leave my belongings in the private office, but I liked the safe. It was easier, and even though it was shared, it was secure enough for me. Besides, I didn’t have much worth stealing. A few bills for cab rides or emergencies. A couple of maxed-out credit cards under my fake name. And my driver’s license with the picture I loathed. I can still remember the day it was made. How scared I was.

I sighed as I retrieved my purse, wondering for the millionth time how I’d ended up in my predicament and how on earth I was supposed to get out again.

“You okay, Avery?”

I straightened, tossed my purse over my shoulder, and offered Sydney a—hopefully convincing—smile. “Sure. I’m just tired.”

She arched a brow. “All right. Well, if you need anything, just let me know, okay?”

“Will do. Thanks, girl. See you tomorrow night?”

She smirked. “You know it.”

I brushed my hand along her shoulder as I left the bar area but didn’t stop to look back before making my way to the door.

The air outside the club was brisk yet felt good against my skin. I’ felt slightly feverish all night. I sucked in the crisp air and sighed deeply. The street outside the club was quiet, and I hoofed it about a block to where I usually caught the bus. I didn’t like riding the bus after dark. It just didn’t feel safe to me. I preferred Uber or a cab when I could afford it or had a particularly rough night.

As I neared the bus stop, I spotted a truck idling on the corner. It struck me as odd. Other than the club, this was a secluded area. The truck had very dark tinted windows, making it impossible to see inside.

The passenger’s side window rolled down as I walked past the truck. My stomach flip-flopped as a bolt of panic rolled through me. But then a familiar drawl reached my ears.

“Tori, get in the truck. I need to get you out of here.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Bennett

I knew I was getting close. I didn’t have all the pieces together yet, but things were swirling inside my mind, and I knew I was nearing the truth. After Reed’s comments at the bar about Richie trying to buy Parkston’s, I realized there was more going on behind those doors than I’d initially thought.

What had seemed like a convenient meeting place was something more. I didn’t know how much Reed knew about what was happening inside his club. Did he know who Richie was? If so, he must realize that if Richie wanted the club, he’d find a way to take it. One way or the other.

The biggest question was why Richie wanted the club in the first place. Sure, it was probably lucrative as hell. But the Sanderson’s already had more money than they knew what to do with. So why would they need another business to run? In my experience, crime families usually preferred something benign to use as a front for their illegal dealings. Surely a notorious sex club wasn’t the best locale for an under-the-radar business.

None of it made sense. Yet.

I forced myself to shove it all aside as soon as Tori climbed into the passenger seat of my truck. Her eyes were wide. Startled.

“Tori—”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, closing her door. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

She folded her arms, silently refusing to buckle up. “What do you want?”

Her frostiness surprised me. I reached for her hand, trying to get her to loosen up, but she resisted. “I didn’t mean to scare you, Tor.”

“Just answer my question. What are you doing? What do you want?”

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