Page 55 of Exposé

Sixth picture down and third in was a picture of a man matching the DJ's description, minus the flashing lights, dark background, and bare chest.

It was a candid photo of one James McDeen, standing beside the stone water fountain in the middle of Riverfield University's campus, his arm around a beautiful blonde-haired girl with a flashy septum piercing.

Bingo.

An hour later, my bag in hand, along with the location of the next party, I rushed out the door and to my car, my phone pressed to my ear.

"Ava, I expected a phone call hours ago."

"Yeah, I know. I needed to send off a few emails to local and state officials for an interview. I'm hoping the Mayor can give me some insight." I pulled my car door open and slipped inside, dropping my bag into the passenger.

She huffed out a sigh. "Henry went to bed early, so give me the address, and I'll meet you there."

I rattled off the location as I pulled out of the parking garage and made my way home. "I don't even know what to wear to these things."

"Do you want me to come over and help you pick it out?"

I shook my head as I pulled into my parking space, giving the surrounding area a once-over before climbing out. "No, that's fine. Give me the gist of it."

"Um…anythingslutty, uncomfortable, or showing skin will usually do the trick."

"Grrreeaat." Rolling my eyes, I locked my car and hustled to my apartment, the door still locked and intact. "Anything else I should be aware of?"

"Nah,not really. Have fun. I'll meet you there in thirty. Think you can glam up that quick?"

"Please, do you remember that interview I had with Governor Williams?"

"Yeah, the one where he got flustered on the hot seat?"

"That's the one. I slept through my alarm that day and had five minutes to get ready. This is a piece of cake."

Aria laughed as I stepped into my apartment and locked the door behind me, then flicked on the lights.

Everything's in its place….

Including the IRS audit letter…

"Okay, well, since you've got a handle on it. I'll let you get dressed. See you soon."

I tore my eyes away from the letter."Bye." Dropping my laptop bag in its customary place on my couch, I tossed my keys in the bowl and dipped into my closet.

Shit.

I tossed aside half of my closet until the perfect dress brushed against the back of my hand.

It was the kind of dress that stopped hearts and shattered glass.

I slipped into it, sequins cold against my skin. Each one caught the light, creating a dazzling display against the wall.

The plunging neckline dared anyone to meet my gaze and not look away. Tan fabric clung to my curves, accentuating every line, every dip, and every rise, revealing enough to start their imagination. Long, sheer sleeves adorned with more sequins ended at the dangerous hemline, stopping mid-thigh.

I dragged my fingers through my hair, slapped on some matte red lip stain, and in twenty minutes, I had a smoky eye with a deep plum undertone, eyeliner, and false lashes. Foregoing the contour and highlight, I applied a semi-coverage foundation and defined my brows.

Slipping on my gold stilettos, I fluffed my hair in the mirror, gave myself a once over, and dashed as fast as one could in four-and-a-half-inch heels out the door, my clutch and keys in hand.

What the hell am I doing?

Fifteen minutes later, I pulled into a dark parking lot on the east side of town, the meat district.

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