Page 53 of Simon Says

Dakota positively beamed, Simon realized, as if she belonged onstage.

And maybe she did.

The band fell into a thrumming tune. Still smiling, Dakota shook back her hair, lifted a mike, and the second she began to sing, everyone went silent.

Damn, she was good.

It amazed him that such a deep, rich voice could come from such a delicate woman. But then, Dakota was full of surprises. Like her knowledge of mixed martial arts and training within the SBC.

And his filial father.

Simon stood there, as mesmerized as everyone else. The rock-and-roll tune bounced off the walls of the bar. When Dakota brought her hands together in an accompanying clap, the audience joined in.

Out of the corner of his eye, Simon noticed the owner, Roger Sims, strolling up to the stage to listen.

Beside Dakota, Barber played the guitar, but midway through the song, they switched. Dakota lifted the strap of the guitar over her head and picked up the beat where Barber had left off, segueing right into a solo.

She looked hot enough to catch the stage on fire. When the solo ended, Barber turned to sing the song with her, and together, they made one hell of a show.

When they finished, the room erupted into applause. Simon grinned, unaccountably proud for some reason, and all the more determined to have her.

To quiet the crowd, they started another song. But this time the drummer called Dakota over and, to everyone’s surprise, she played the drums as well as she sang and played guitar.

“Damn, she’s talented,” Simon said to no one in particular.

Bonnie sniffed her disdain. “She looks cheap with her skirt hiked up like that and her hair going everywhere.”

Simon stepped away from her.

Bonnie followed in disbelief. “Oh, please, Simon,” she sneered. “Don’t tell me thatshe’sthe reason you won’t forgive me?”

“She’s got nothing to do with you cheating, Bonnie.”

She sucked in a gasping breath, but wasn’t deterred. “At least stop ogling her long enough to let me explain how that fighter deliberately duped me.” She waited for his reaction, but got none. “Harley’s main goal all along was to get you in the ring, Simon. He wanted you to come out of retirement and—”

“Enough.” Simon leaned close so no one else would hear. He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t show any anger. But he tried to be as clear as possible. “I don’t give a damn who you fucked, Bonnie, or why. You can fuck him again tonight if you want.”

“Simon!”

“His reasons don’t matter to me any more than yours do. We’re through, and nothing is going to change that.”

“But…you’ll be fighting Harley for your comeback. I wanted you to be prepared.”

“You think the fact that you slept with him will somehow impact the outcome? You think I’ll be emotionally involved?” Simon shook his head. “It means no more to me than what he had for breakfast.”

Her face colored. “You can’t mean that. You aren’t that cold.”

Simon laughed. “No.” He glanced at Dakota, and his voice dropped. “Far from cold.”

Lacking his discretion, Bonnie yelled, “Meaning you’re hot for her?” And she pointed her arm toward the stage, singling out Dakota for all who were close enough to witness her lack of tact.

Simon felt a moment’s pity for her. She was not a happy woman. “Think whatever you want, Bonnie, but think it away from me.”

He strode toward the stage to join Dean and Eve.

“I didn’t know she performed,” Dean said. “She’s good.”

“Yes, she is.”

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