Page 18 of Brutal Ice

Violet forced a smile. She’d been hyperaware all night. Too focused on Royal and where he might be. And on what he’d said.

A serial killer? Oh, God, seriously?

And the kiss…the kiss…

“The donors are leaving. The party here is over, but we look fabulous.” Simone adjusted the already low bodice of her top to make it look a little lower. “Some of the dancers are going to hit that new club that opened last week—Punishment? Have you heard about the place?”

She’d heard some of the other dancers talk about it, yes.

“Supposed to be killer.” Simone tilted her head. Her blond hair had been pulled back into a tight twist. The style just accentuated Simone’s high cheekbones. “We’re going to get wild and have some drinks and live a little. And you are coming with us. That’s not a question. It’s a statement of fact.”

Violet had already started to shake her head. “No, I—” Her gaze darted over Simone’s shoulder.

“Yeah, he’s gone, sunshine,” Simone told her flatly. “Left earlier.”

Her stare flew back to Simone.

“And I am so curious about what went on when you were out with him on the balcony. Did Snow White get a kiss that made her jolt back to life?” Simone’s eyes gleamed.

Violet cleared her throat. “I should get home.”

“You should get back to living. You know you want to come. You know you want to cut loose with me.” Simone exhaled. “This is me, your dancing best friend. Pretend to be Miss Perfect with someone else. I know you have a wild side, and she has been pinned up too long. You need this.” Sympathy flashed in her blue eyes. “Don’t let him kill this part of you. Dance. Have fun. Live.”

Simone was her best friend. Not just her dancing best friend. They’d met years ago while they’d both been at a conservatory in New York. Roommates by chance. Friends because no one could be near Simone and not be her friend. Their careers had taken them in different directions—literally, in different directions across the country, but they’d been lucky enough to work together a few other times over the years. And now, they were both in the Snow White cast.

When Violet got shy, Simone became extra vibrant. Simone was always confident. Always grinning. Always looking for fun.

“Let that wild side out, girl,” Simone ordered her. “Tell that freak who took you to fuck off.”

Serial killer. Not so easy to tell him to fuck off. Or to get him out of her nightmares. If only it was so simple. If only she could take charge of her life again.

And kiss the fear goodbye.

Simone and Royal are alike. Both wanting to tell someone to fuck off.

She’d never done that. Being polite had always been her go-to. Being the good girl all the time. And what had that gotten her?

Locked in a freaking trunk. Was that what happened to good girls?

“Come with me,” Simone half-ordered, half-cajoled. “Dance like you want. Drink until the fear is gone. And have fun with me.” A wink. “Let’s get some Punishment together.”

She shouldn’t. She absolutely shouldn’t…

“I am not taking no for an answer,” Simone told her.

Several of the other dancers—male and female—gathered around them. Violet’s gaze searched through the crowd once more. Yes, I’m looking for him.

Royal Boudreaux.

Except…

He was gone.

“Punishment,” Simone called out. “Here, we come!”

The dancers cheered. But fear twisted inside of Violet even more. She was sick of being afraid. Absolutely sick of it. So, yes, fine. Maybe she would go out and dance with her friends. Maybe she’d drink. Maybe she’d forget…

Maybe she would let her wild side out to play.

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