Page 62 of Vengeful Secret

“Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I take his arm.

Once we’re outside, he opens the passenger side door of one of the SUVs for me, and I slide inside.

“You look incredible.”

“Thank you,” I say, the nerves starting to get to me.

What was I thinking earlier? That this is exciting? This is terrifying.

The men I’m going to be flirting with and trying to speak to are absolute villains, and I know this. I’ve heard around town about Niall Murphy and their beef with the Burkes, and when I was with Gray I was well aware of the ongoing war between the clans.

Gray drives another SUV and uses the valet. My driver drops me up at the door, before also using the valet.

I notice that there are two other black SUVs following me, presumably Gray’s men.

I feel the nerves tightening my stomach and realize that I haven’t eaten all day and make a mental note to keep from drinking as much as I can.

Gray is a step behind me. “Are you all right?”

I nod slowly.

Gray heads straight for the bar, and I head to the VIP section.

But it’s difficult to get through the throng of people, and I’m not sure Gray can see me at all.

I get closer to the section, seeing the velvet ropes tying it off, and I try to use the noise of the club as a cover.

I’ve got my ears perked up when I hear the name ”Murphy," and I see a man standing by himself, just outside of the velvet rope.

“What’s going on in there?” I ask, sidling up next to him.

He looks down at me and then does a bit of a double take, his blue eyes widening.

“Well, hello, beautiful.”

“Hello.” I plaster on my prettiest fake smile. “I’m Catherine. What’s your name?”

“Brady,” he answers, putting a hand on my lower back. “If you want to know what’s going on in there, I can get you in.”

“Can you?” I croon, swaying against him.

“Sure, baby. I can get anyone in anywhere,” he says smoothly, pulling me toward him.

I try not to wince, looking over for Gray, feeling a little worried.

Gray’s nowhere to be found, and I frown.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Brady asks, too close to my ear, and I panic.

“I think I need another drink,” I mutter, feeling in danger because I can’t catch sight of Gray. There’re too many people. It’s hot in here. I’m sweating.

I move away from Brady even as he protests, making my way back to the bar through the crowd, but it’s only a moment before there’s a hand on my arm, ushering me to the exit.

I look up, wondering if it’s Gray or one of his men, but it’s an unfamiliar face with sharp angles that greets me.

“Who are you?” I run my hand through my hair, giving the sign that something is wrong, but I have no idea if anyone has eyes on me.

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