Page 12 of The Royal Flame
I tap my finger against my phone screen. “I honestly don’t know. From what I knew, Lily wasn’t going to North Side tonight. Maybe Will was dealing at the party she was at.”
“Does Lily do drugs now?” Noah wonders with his brows furrowed.
“No,” River replies. At the same time, Finn says, “Maybe.”
Noah’s attention bounces between the two of them.
“She’s eighteen. She might,” I answer for them. “But she doesn’t do it frequently or anything hardcore. Trust me, I know what that looks like, and Lily doesn’t fit the profile.”
“Maddy’s right.” Finn slows down as we near the three-story parking garage I told him to drive to when we first got into the car.
River frowns at the idea of this but doesn’t remark.
We remain quiet as Finn drives into the parking garage, which proves to be complicated when he has to take a ticket to get the bar to lift. It’s amusing to watch him figure it out like it’s some sort of great unsolvable mystery. After snickering, I explain to him what to do. Once the bar lifts, he drives in and parks the car.
The parking garage is close to the club, so it takes us only a few more minutes to arrive at the entrance. It’s strange to be walking around so late at night in this neighborhood and not feeling totally anxious. I may give the guys shit about being Royals, but their presence makes me feel safe. Not that I left my weapons behind. They’re tucked inside my pocket as I stride up to the roped entrance, where a massive dude with bugling, tattooed muscles is positioned in front of the door.
He won’t ask for my ID. He’s supposed to, but it’s all for show. At least, that’s how most clubs and bars in north side are.
“This place is full,” he says as I approach him. He sidesteps, blocking the door with his bulky body. “We’re not letting anyone else in.” His gaze wanders over my head to where River, Noah, and Finn are standing, then lands back on me. “You can try The Zen of North Side.”
“I’m supposed to be meeting someone here,” I lie, batting my eyelashes at him. Maybe I can flirt my way in. “If you let me go find him, I can get him and leave.”
He doesn’t so much as react to my lame-ass attempt at flirting. “Sorry, sugar, but that won’t work on me.” He pauses, rubbing his jawline. “I can let him in, though.” He looks over my shoulder again.
Right at Finn.
Okay, so we’re going to have to work that angle then.
Finn points at himself. “Me?”
The bouncer nods, removing the rope from the bar. His gaze lazily scrolls up and down Finn. “Yeah, baby. You can go right on in.”
Noah looks away, biting back a laugh while River’s brows rise.
The corners of Finn’s pouty lips turn downward as he steps forward. He gives me an uneasy glance as he passes by. Even if he can be charming when he needs to be, he’s out of his element.
“I have to go with him. He doesn’t know what the guy I’m meeting looks like,” I insist, sneaking Finn a press look as I mouth, “Flirt with him.”
Finn scrunches his nose, but comes through, plastering on a megawatt smile that’s bright enough to light up this pit of a hole we’re in.
“I promise if you let her in with me, we’ll make it quick.” He pauses then says, “Not that I’m quick with anything else.”
Oh my god, did he seriously just say that?
The bouncer buys it and lets us through, muttering, “So damn hot,” as Finn strolls by with a cocky jaunt in his walk.
The instant we’re inside the dimly lit, mildly crowded entrance, Finn says to me, “See. Sometimes my manwhore skills come in useful.”
“Agreed.” I step out of the entrance and into the bar area where an extensive line of people are waiting to get drinks. “Have you ever swung that way?”
“Nah. It’s not my thing.” He follows me with his hand on my lower back as we weave through the people, the sound of chatter and rhythmic music pulsating around us.
Add that to the dancing and flashing lights, and I’m on sensory overload.
“I prefer sassy brunettes with legs that go on for miles,” he whispers in my ear.
I glare at him from over my shoulder.
