Page 2 of Allured
“Keep ‘em. They’re more your color anyway.” I smirk and smack T’s shoulder, trying to lighten the mood.
That’s been my specialty since we were kids: Joke, laugh, be the guy who doesn’t take everything too seriously. Make sure my siblings are doing okay. The role comes naturally now with anyone I care about.
Thankfully, Viv speaks up and pulls both me and T from our trains of thought.
“Seb let me know Knight said we need to have a run—through with some of the new guys. Something about a special event coming up.”
T and I look at each other and sigh.
We’re already tired from back—to—back rehearsals and shows this week, but with the holiday season coming up, we have a bunch of new acts and performers joining us. The lag in my brain makes me take a moment to register what she said.
“Wait, Knight’s here? And the son of a bitch didn’t even say hi?” I fake offense as I raise a hand to my chest.
I won’t lie. It’s definitely weird that he’s here on a random Tuesday. I know very well how busy Daddy Big Bucks is and how we’re a small stop among the many business ventures he’s constantly bouncing between. But I’ve known the guy for ten years. We’ve been through a lot together and I definitely deserve a hello and maybe a little smooch or something.
“Actually, Seb said he was looking for you. He said Knight seemed a little angry.” Vivian’s usually easy smile drops for a moment as she points backstage. It’s always odd seeing her anything but happy with a cute little smirk on her face. With a sigh, T turns towards me and crosses his arms while raising his eyebrow in that annoying way that makes me want to tape it down or shave it off.
“What did you do now, Alek?”
I look at him and frown, thinking it over. As ifI’mthe only one who’s gotten in trouble around here.Yes, it’s mostly me but that doesn’t mean I did anything this time. At least I don’t think I did anything. Probably.
“Well I guess I’ll find out, huh?” I shrug one shoulder nonchalantly, backing away to the hallway that leads to the backstage office. With my departure, I do a mock salute and throw a wink at them.
“It’s showtime, baby.” I’m about to swing the door open and take my first step downstairs when I hear Thomas yell behind me.
“The show isn't for a few hours, dumbass!”
“Yeah? Well good luck fitting in that thong, you fucking giant!”
CHAPTER TWO
ALEK
Daddy, chill.
“Idon’t have the time for this, Jack,” a deep voice scolds as I make my way down the dark hallway leading to Knight’s office. Well, more like the office Knight commandeered with his surprise arrival to the club today. Though, technically thisisall his.
That deep voice is usually scoldingmeso it’s kind of nice to not be at the receiving end of the curt words.
“It’s absurd Harriett has to cancel the gala because her chemical face peel did its job too well. It’s evenmoreabsurd that she expects me to rearrange what took her months to plan in a matter offourdays.”
I lean against the doorway, watching the frustrated way Knight rubs down the side of his face, his thick fingers lightly digging into his heavy five o’clock shadow. His profile is front and center as he sits upright in the office chair, his charcoal gray suit partly hidden behind the messy desk full of show schedules and promotional items. I can tell his eyes are closed. Otherwise,he would have seen me leaning against the doorframe out of the corner of his eye.
“Fine,” he sighs. “We will hold it at my estate and go along with her lie of being sick. I’ll arrange the larger details but I will need you to send the word out to the invite list. Also, please contact mysickmother and tell her I’m regretting this already.” With finality in his tone, he hangs up the phone and sets it on the desk.
“Got an extra invite? I hear rich people’s parties, oh sorry–galas– have the best booze.”
“Must you always sneak around like that?” he asks with a heavy sigh, still not looking at me.
“I’m light on my feet, you kinda pay me for that. My twinkle toes.” I let out an easy chuckle as I walk over to one of the empty chairs in front of the man at the desk. While he’s still frustrated by the phone call from Hell, he seems a little more relaxed in my presence. Finally, he turns to face me as he unbuttons the top of his undoubtedly expensive dress shirt. The slight look of relief when he looks at me would make me feel special but it’s probably because I’m not pushing some gala on him like his mother just did.
“I need your help,” he says with a wince, like it pains him to ask. Knight is a man who enjoys taking charge and lives with a tight schedule. In the time that I’ve known the guy, I swear he’s never done anything spontaneous or last minute.
“And what would Daddy Knight like me to do?” There’s a grin on my face as I ask him the question. I’m definitely teasing him but I’m thinking this is the light—heartened vibe he needs right now.
“Again with the nickname?” He arches an eyebrow at me. Honestly, Knight pretends to hate the title but this man forgets that I know some of his secrets too. He shakes his head, restinghis elbow on the desk before he leans into his large open hand and taps his finger against his temple with a steady rhythm.
“Look Aleksander, since you were creeping in on my conversation, I’m sure you heard my predicament.” He glares at me. If I were anyone else I’d be frozen in fear or even running out of his office, but Knight’s armor has never scared me.
