Page 8 of Bad Ruck

We all hurried to keep up.

"Chelsea!" A woman with bright pink hair stepped out the door and over to give her a hug.

All five of us were immediately rigid and on guard, like the gesture flipped a switch.

Every protective instinct in my body screamed out to move closer to her. At the same time, I knew to hold back. Chelsea wouldn't have hugged the woman if she didn't know and trust her.

"Divina, you're looking well." Chelsea squeezed her, before stepping back and smiling.

"Of course I am." Divina fluffed her hair. "Haven't you heard the rumour that I drink the blood of young women so I can say beautiful?" She glanced over at me and winked.

Chelsea laughed. "That explains everything. I'll be sure to pass on your recommendation to my colleagues. Although, the legal implications might be a big hurdle to overcome."

Divina waved a hand dismissively. "This is Dusk Bay. I'd find a way if I had to. Otherwise, I'll have to start drinking the cum of young men instead." She looked us all up and down appraisingly.

"No offence, but my cum is spoken for," Frost said. He jerked his head toward Chelsea, then accompanied that with a side glance toward Storm and a small one in my direction.

Divina patted his cheek. "That's a shame. I bet you're tasty."

Frost puffed out his chest. "I am."

Chelsea shook her head at them both, no hint of jealousy in her posture or expression. I loved that she was so sure of us she wasn't bothered by some light flirting.

"Is India here?" she asked.

"Or Dallas?" Storm added.

"I don't know a Dallas, but India stepped out after we worked on her costumes this morning," Divina said. "She said something about meeting someone." She gestured with both hands, indicating she had no further information.

"She didn't tell you where she was going?" Chelsea asked.

"Not as I recall." Divina clasped her hands in front of her. "Is she in some kind of trouble?"

"We don't know yet," Chelsea said. "Probably not. It might be nothing."

"You look worried for something that's probably nothing," Divina said. "What's going on and who is Dallas?" A frown flitted over her brow. "Are you referring to Dallas Gregory? The Smashers player?"

"That's him," I said. "We're trying to find him. India might be able to help." Had I said too much? I didn't know if we could trust this woman or not.

Chelsea answered that question when she said, "Yes, we are. He was supposed to meet us and he didn't show. We're worried."

"I see," Divina said slowly. "If India is involved in something she shouldn't be, I'm going to?—"

Her words were interrupted by a high pitched scream.

My high alert doubled. I stepped closer to Chelsea, shielding her with my body as the others did the same. I didn't care that I was almost pressed against Storm, as long as she was safe.

"That can't be good," Frost said.

I grunted in agreement. "Where did that come from?"

Divina raised a shaky finger and pointed at the door she'd appeared through. "There."

"I'll look," Ramsey said quickly.

He didn't seem scared. If anything, he seemed curious, but cautious at the same time. Only his body language indicated any concern, but that was for Chelsea's safety. He stood between her and the door, another protective shield.

"Not by yourself," Storm insisted. "If you go, we all go."

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