Page 55 of Blue Moon

“You sing. I speak to Monroe and arrange a security check.”

“You think he’ll agree to that?”

Ryder’s voice came out hard and flat. “Yeah, he’ll agree.”

At least nobody fainted tonight, although it said a lot about my life that headlining a Vegas extravaganza was the least dramatic part of it these days. Ryder was waiting for me when I walked off stage, and he didn’t look happy, but he stood to the side while I high-fived my dancers and made sure someone brought Aisha an ice pack. She’d twisted an ankle in the final number, although she’d acted like the professional she was, smiled through it, and barely missed a step.

“You think you’ll be okay by Tuesday evening?” I asked.

“As long as I take Tylenol and rest tomorrow. It wasn’t a bad slip.”

“Cocktails will help,” Venus put in. “Who wants to go to the Peppermill? It’s been ages since we went out together, and we can sleep off our hangovers tomorrow.”

“Speak for yourself,” Paul said. “Rufus’s mom is visiting from Miami, and she gets up at dawn.”

At least I wasn’t the only party pooper. “I have plans too.”

“Okay, one cocktail. And snacks.”

I hoped Ryder wouldn’t be too annoyed. “Just one.”

Venus wrapped me up in a sweaty hug. “You won’t regret it.”

I only hoped that was true. Ryder followed me to my dressing room, opened the door, and moved to the side to give me room to pass.

“Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I changed our plans without asking first? Because you look mad?”

“I’m pissed at the security breach, not that you want to drink cocktails with your friends. You should be having fun.”

“Really?”

Mom used to get super mad when I made unilateral decisions. That’s what she called it. Unilateral decisions. Not fun with friends.

“If you’re tired, you can sleep while I drive tomorrow.”

I blew out a breath. How come this was so easy? And why hadn’t I had the courage to leave Mom in the dust before? I’d missed out on years of freedom.

“What happened with Derek Monroe?”

“Nobody in the staff office recalls seeing the black bag from Mark Antony, but we found out that the guard at the inner backstage door has been taking unauthorised breaks without arranging cover. It’s possible Mark A walked right into the theatre unchallenged.”

My blood ran cold. “Right into my dressing room?”

“Maybe. The guard in question has been reassigned, and Monroe is going to install an extra camera outside.” Ryder nodded toward the door.

“They didn’t fire the guy?”

“Not for a first-time offence.”

My mom would have fired him in a heartbeat, and six months ago, I would have as well. But so much had changed since then. I’d learned that hasty decisions weren’t always the right ones. I mean, I’d tried to fire Ryder on his first day on the job, and if that had worked out, I’d probably be dead in a casket right now.

“I don’t want him involved with the show.”

“He won’t be. Plus Monroe is reviewing the rest of the cameras to see if he can spot anyone carrying the bag in the hotel.”

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