Page 131 of Conquering Oz

Elodie scoffed, which got everyone’s attention, but she kept her gaze locked on Charley. “It’s your birthday.”

Charley’s face softened, and she slowly took the box from Elodie. She stared at it for a minute before Keely nudged her, encouraging Charley to open it.

She gingerly pried open the paper, following the corners of the tape. It was done meticulously, which sent a sharp pain through Elodie’s heart and confirmed her suspicions. Charley was taking too much care with this gift as if she hadn’t gotten one often.

Once the paper was unraveled, she lifted the top off the box. Keely leaned over and gasped then covered her mouth and glanced up at Elodie wide eyed. Keely obviously approved. Charley was still looking. Maybe this hadn’t been the best gift for her.

“It’s tickets?” Charley asked.

Elodie parted her lips to explain, but Keely’s excitement overtook the moment.

“Holy shit, Char! They’re passes.” Keely grabbed Charley’s arm, bouncing on her toes. “It’s VIP to the X-Lounge!”

Elodie bit back her smile. Keely was giving the reaction she’d hoped for from Charley.

Keely whipped her head grasping Charley’s arm. “When can we go?”

Elodie smiled. “Whenever you want. Just let me know, and I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Keely,” Dahlia said. “I don’t know if Killian would be…”

Keely spun around, glaring at Dahlia. “Then let’s not tell him.”

Elodie sensed the tension and shifted her gaze between Keely and Dahlia.

Dahlia held up her hands. “I’m just saying.”

Keely knitted her brows with a severe frown. “And I’m just saying I’m twenty-four, Dahl. An adult. I don’t have a chaperone or keeper, nor should I. I know you’re my brother’s friend, but” —Keely eyes were pleading— “You’re mine too, right?”

Elodie glanced over at Dahlia, who dropped her gaze to the floor. It was hard to maneuver this conversation, Elodie wasclearly an outsider. But from what she could make of it, Keely’s brother would not be happy with her going to the club, and Keely was asking for discretion.

Dahlia smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course. I won’t tell him as long as you promise you’ll be safe.”

Keely who hooked her arm under Charley’s. “We’ll be super safe, I promise.”

Dahlia nodded. There was a long stretch of awkward silence until Elodie cleared her throat, gaining their attention.

“Alright, I’m heading out. You have everything you need, Charley?”

Charley straightened, tightening her grasp on the box. “Yes. You can trust me.”

Elodie softened and winked. “I know.”

Elodie, Dahlia and Quinn walked outside to the SUV waiting in front of the store. She opened the door, and Quinn hopped into back. When Dahlia got in, she paused and placed her hand over Elodie’s.

“When they go to the club, can you have them watched?” Dahlia paused, and her stress was evident. “They just need extra eyes on them. Okay? I need Keely to be safe.”

“Of course,” Elodie said. “Charley is one of my girls. She’s going to have a lot of eyes on her when she’s at the club. Same goes for Keely. You have my word.”

Elodie made a mental note to have double security on the girls when they visited the X-Lounge.

****

The car pulled up in front of his house. Something felt off. Oz always had a keen sense about those around him and his surroundings. It was a gift he’d developed over the years. The day had been anti-climactic, yet his security seemed on edge. Even Nash, who he could read better than most, appeareduneasy throughout the day. Oz had questioned him, but Nash denied it and brushed off his concerns.

Oz stepped out of the car and walked up the stairs toward his front door. When he heard the second SUV pull up alongside the first, he glanced over his shoulder. Two more trucks were pulling in the driveway.

“Nash.” He narrowed his gaze.

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