Page 24 of The Crown

Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he pressed his lips to hers, her body molding into his, and she forgot everyone else. Until cameras flashed around them. They broke apart, her mind foggy. Bouncers dragged two men out, breaking their cameras on the way.

“What?”

Nico frowned. “I don’t know how they got in with the cameras.” A flicker of concern passed across his face but then he turned. “Let’s really get this going.”

“You’re on.”

Monique approached, just as they were running for the stage. And she handed Nico a drink. “Your favorite.”

She raised an eyebrow in challenge.

He turned to Jo, offered her a sip which she declined, shaken that Monique was even at the same club. And then he downed it in one swallow. He reached for Jo’s hand and together they made it to the stage.

Sierra and Julian stayed put, surrounded by the Baldeez brothers, Monique, and several other women Jo had never met. But she soon forgot them.

They danced harder than ever, moving in carefree fun, until Nico seemed more reckless, drawing the crowd’s attention, seeking it, catering to it. They shouted and cheered, many chanting, “Nico.”

He was a regular here, it seemed. When the music slowed, he stumbled towards her and she realized how affected he was by the drink.

“What did Monique give you?”

He laughed. “It’s nothing. Just a local drink they have.”

“Seems kind of strong.” She laughed as he stumbled, just missing her toes. Unease began to tighten her stomach. “Maybe we should go party it off on the boat.”

But he frowned. “Don’t be like that Jo. We need this. Can’t you see how much we need this?” He held his arms out to embrace the whole room.

She knew he needed to let loose, but she began to worry about what he might do while he wasn’t thinking.

She caught Monique’s eye, and the snake smirked before turning away.

After a wobbly half effort at a slow dance, Nico jumped in place when the music pounded again. He waved his arms around, ready for another round. Jo joined him, but her concern marred her fun as she worried about what Nico might do or what might happen. She hated being in this position. Kevin, her old boyfriend used to tone down her partying, used to encourage her to be so responsible that she no longer had fun. She didn’t want to be that person in Nico’s life. But she wasn’t sure what to do.

He ran along the edge of the stage high fiving all the people below. Most of them women, cheering up at him with adoring eyes and revealing tops. Surely they knew that from their upper stage angle, not much else was left to the imagination.

“Come on, Jo!” He reached for her.

She ran to him at the edge of the stage. Then he kissed her, missing her mouth in a sloppy attempt and fell back onto the hands of the people below. He waved.

And she grit her teeth. He was being ridiculous. Or was he? Was she just bothered she didn’t feel the same amount of recklessness? Either way, she smiled and waved back as his body bounced along on the hands that held him up. And then they dumped into the arms of Monique and that whole group. He put his arms around both Monique and Henry Baldeez and the three began a dance of their own.

12

As they were leaving, Nico had invited everyone he saw, to come back with them. He had downed another drink walking out the door while Julian was insisting it was time to go. Of course, only the ones with transportation out to his yacht could follow. He waved his hand at the staff to go back and fetch more from off the shoreline.

Jo stood at his side, quiet. She was probably just tired. Not everyone could keep up with him. She could rest now that they were back, and he would talk to their guests, keep the party going. Where was Henry? Monique came forward and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Whoa there.” She laughed as she nearly tipped him over. “Just like always.”

He reached out to pull Jo to him on his other side, but his hand grasped air.

“She left, honey. You’re stuck with just me again.” Monique’s voice sounded like honey and golden butter.

Monique seemed in the mood to party. She would do. And Jo could rest. “Let’s go up top.” He stumbled. The drink was affecting him more than usual. He shrugged. He’d sleep it off.

The group followed to the top deck, and the music blared, competing with the pounding beats that echoed off the shoreline. The boat bounced and swayed with their movement.

He danced until he couldn’t move. And then he sent everyone home. He stood in the breeze that had picked up. For the first time in many hours, he felt sober. Clarity sharpened his reasoning, and he felt some concern for Jo. The Baldeez brothers sat back in the chairs on the deck behind him.

Monique had gone below.

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