Page 15 of Lethal Lover

“Feeling down again?” I ask, taking her bag out of her hands.

“Just wish Nina were here. The guys are thinking of going out. Trixie refuses to host an after party. My place is just too small. We just want to finish this show with a bang.” She shrugs a shoulder. “But I want to be with you, too, so let’s just go. We can do whatever you want.” Elena slides her arms around my waist and leans on me, resting her head on my chest. She smells like the fruity soap she uses to wash away her makeup. I like it. It makes me want to dip her in juice and lick her clean.

“Then tell the cast to come to my place. I’ll host a party for everyone.” I’m not fond of the idea that strangers will be in my home around my things, but it’s harmless. They will drink a little and sing a few show tunes, and besides, Elena hasn’t seen my place yet.

“Really?” she asks, looking up at me. “You’d do that for me?” Her eyes study me in earnest, and I smile.

“Of course. I’d do anything for you, baby.” I lean in closer to her ear and whisper, “Just promise me when they all leave, you will give me that sweet pussy.”

She snickers and pecks me on the cheek. “I think it’s salty, not sweet.” And then she’s gone, off to tell her work mates that she’s hosting a party.

I turn to Slick, whose arms are folded across the top of the car on the far side. He nods his head slowly and chuckles. “Pussy whipped. That’s what you are.”

“Fuck off, Slick,” I grumble, and he only laughs harder. Soon, I’m joining him in laughing, but my laughter is sardonic, the darkness in my soul seeping out.

That critic will either play my pawn and give me exactly what I want—Elena on a pedestal—or I’ll bludgeon him to death and make it look like a home invasion. I climb into the car with that thought and wait for Elena to join me. I’ll let Slick handle coordination of details for my home, and I’ll enjoy the few minutes I get alone with Elena before the cast populates my home.

10

ELENA

Laughter fills the entire large room where Liam is so gracious to host the cast. He’s become my number-one fan and biggest supporter, and I have never felt more at home anywhere. I’ve even told my mom about him, and she approves, even though she’s never met him. He’s kind and sweet and caring, and holy hell, the sex is amazing. He comes to every show, even the ones he’s seen four times already, and he sits in his favorite spot every time. I’ve never had a boyfriend who did that.

“You okay?” he asks, pushing the hair off my shoulder. His finger trails across my shirt, and I look at him.

“I’m so good.” He leans in for a kiss, and the alcohol he’s provided for the cast, of which I’ve indulgently partaken, makes my head swim. “Thank you for offering your home for the party. I think the gang is having a lot of fun.”

Liam nips at my lip and growls quietly. “Can they leave now? I’m hungry.”

I snicker and push him away playfully, and there is a hint of fire in his eyes. I can’t tell if it’s disappointment that I’m not chasing the cast out the door or arousal. He’s a hard man to read sometimes, but I don’t let it bother me. Trixie has resting bitch face even when she’s in a good mood. Men can probably have that too.

“Did the reviews go up yet?” someone calls out, and Warren, who’s been staring at me all evening with frustration in his expression, grunts and pulls his phone out.

Warren’s thumb slides across his screen as he scrolls, and the room quiets a little. I think everyone here wants to hear what the critic may have to say about our show. We were all a little frustrated by last week’s reviews but surprised that Kershner came back again tonight to watch it for a second time. Typically, if they give negative reviews, they don’t come back. At least, that’s what Trixie and the director said.

His eyebrows rise and his lips slowly curve into a smile as his head nods. I feel myself growing lighter as I watch his reaction. He’s reading something, and I think it’s the review website. If it is, then it’s a good review. He’d never smile like that if they gave us bad reviews again. War is exactly as his name suggests—loud and angry.

“My, my, my…” He whistles, and everyone grows silent. Then he looks up at me and right into my eyes as he continues. “Remarkable!” He has to look down to read, but I get the feeling it’s a very good review. “‘All I can say is redemption! The cast of tonight’s show,Heartbreak on Main Street, has really outdone themselves. The rising star, Elena Cortez, pulls off the most amazing performance of her short career so far. She’s one to watch. The show should have starred Nina Byler, taken out ofcommission by a violent car accident last week. Elena steps up to play the lead and smashes it out of the park.

“‘Her performance last week, which collected only negative reviews, was performed under heavy grief, and tonight, we saw her shine!” Warren pauses his reading and lets everyone clap and whistle. Liam pecks me on the cheek and stands, walking out of the room in a very uncharacteristic move, but Warren only smiles and keeps reading.

“Other mentionable names include Trixie Novak, filling in for Ms. Cortez, Warren Granger—a phenomenal male lead, and of course, director Peter Monroe. The cast can be seen for one more performance Saturday evening before the show retires for the season.’”

Tears brim in my eyes as a few people nearby stand to give me a hug. Warren walks over to me too, wrapping his big, thick arms around me. I can’t believe we pulled it off. Compared to last week, I knew I did better, but I wasn’t positive we were going to get a good review. I didn’t make as many mistakes, but I was still nervous, still missing Nina.

“You are perfection,” Warren sings out, then he kisses me on the cheek and holds me at arm’s length. “I can’t believe the review. What did you do? Pay the man off?” He chuckles, and everyone laughs at his jibe, but my cheeks burn.

“Obviously not. Who can afford to bribe a critic on the salary Mr. Monroe pays us?” Trixie’s dry humor brings more laughs, and just as Liam returns with two more bottles of whiskey held high.

“Time to really celebrate, guys.” Liam’s beaming smile is so handsome.

A round of cheers deafens me, and I blink, letting the happy tears escape as I walk over to help Liam with the drinks. I stand by him, peeling the foil seal off one bottle as he works the other. It feels so good to receive a good review, but it feels better to be next to him hosting our guests. It almost feels like I belong here, as if this is my home and he is mine…

“I told you, baby. You’re incredible. I’m never wrong.” He winks at me as he pops the cork on his bottle and starts filling cups.

I let the compliment soak in as I turn to offer the Jack Daniels, and soon, everyone’s cup has been topped off and we’re enjoying the fresh round of drinks. Liam stands by a portrait of what I can only assume is a summer home, or maybe it’s just a landscape painting done by someone famous. He watches me with haunting eyes, devouring my every move, and I smile at him from time to time as I chat with my new friends. I think all of these people are starting to like me, and I wish Nina were here to enjoy it too.

Then Schrader gasps and covers his mouth. His eyes are on his phone screen. Celia leans over his shoulder and her expression sours, then Warren’s phone chimes. Then my phone buzzes too. I have alerts silenced, but texts and calls still come through as vibrations. Something is wrong, and everyone is hearing about it at the same time. It makes me sick in the stomach.

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