Page 77 of Take What You Want

But my concern is wiped away as I see a text from Nikolai when I unlock my phone.

Nikolai: Stop stalling. Get your ass up here

My head whips toward the top of the stairs, but I can’t see anything or anyone up on that level from here.

Completely forgetting about the man behind me, I stomp up the stairs, and the moment I reach the top, another large worker waits to let me past another checkpoint.

He holds his hand out. “Phone.”

I rear back. “What?”

“No phones are allowed here. You’ll be able to collect it when you leave.”

I hesitate, not so willing to part with it.

“Just give him your phone, LJ.”

Nikolai appears like an apparition over the shoulder of the man blocking my entry, and just like that, I know my night is well and truly fucked.

19

JANE

“How did you know where to find me? Are you tracking me?” I do my best to pin him with a glare I hope is intimidating despite the unsteadiness I feel.

“I have my sources.”

The liquor slows my brain down, but it doesn't take long for me to realize. “Hayden knows about us?” There’s no way he would text Walker and risk raising any red flags.

Nikolai’s lips thin. “He’s had his suspicions for a while.”

“Nik—”

“I haven’t confirmed anything,” he says, raising his hands in defense. “But last summer, he definitely started putting some things together.”

“That’s just great.” I glance around us, but no one is paying us any mind in this little alcove in the VIP section. If Hayden knows, and Reid knows, it’s not going to take long for Walker to find out.

“He’s not going to say anything,” Nikolai says as if he can read my mind.

I pop my hip out. “You sure about that? Walker’s his best friend.”

“So am I. And you know Hayden. He minds his own business. He’s not about to stir the pot. That’s Reid’s job.”

And I’d bet the only reason Reid has never exposed our relationship and thrown it in my brother’s face is because it would hurt Nikolai. And as selfish as Reid can be, he’d do anything for Nikolai.

“What did he say when you asked him where we were?”

Nikolai leans back against the dark-colored wall. “He asked why I wanted to know and I said I was simply wanting to make sure you guys were safe.”

“And he bought that?” I deadpan.

A grin curls Nikolai’s mouth. “No, but I’m here, aren’t I? Plus, I think he knew that if I came here and found you, it wouldn’t be long that Carter would be heading home to him so it was a win-win for us both.”

“So what about when Scar gets home and tells Walker that you showed up at the club tonight? He’s not going to think that’s weird?”

Nikolai looks around dramatically. “Does it look like either of them are aware that I’m here?”

“They’ll notice when I don’t come back after I said I was grabbing another drink.”

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