Page 25 of Rebels & Rejects

“So you never saw who killed him?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“What about someone at the party? Did anyone stand out or seem to be paying particular attention to Python?”

Other than me? “No. Not that I saw, but I wasn’t really paying attention to anyone else.”

He purses his lips as he thinks for a moment, before finally giving a sharp jerk of his head. “Fine.” He doesn't sound happy, but at least he seems to believe what I’m saying—for now. “You can go back to work.”

With my heart lodged in my throat, I scurry toward the door without a backward glance. On my way out, I grab ahold of the handle, turning it roughly in my hand as I pull the door closed behind me, but the handle is old, and I know that if you twist it hard enough, the latch sticks. I wait a moment until I hear his voice, then I push the door open ever so slightly. It’s not enough for me to see into the room, but there’s a slither of a gap between the wooden door frame and the door, allowing me to hear what he’s saying to someone on the phone.

“She’s lying, O... I’m not sure. I can’t place it. I just... there’s something off with her.”

Fuck.

Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, I pull the door closed again and jiggle the handle, engaging the latch before silently moving away and getting back to work. Cain’s words play on repeat in my head, and I constantly run my gaze over the various Reject members, wondering who it was he was talking to. And why. Why is he so set on finding the Reaper? What does he want with him—with me? Knowing he’s devoting so much time and energy to finding me makes me antsy, and I can’t settle for the rest of the night, moving on autopilot as I deliver drinks, perform on the stage, and give lap dances.

Chapter 10

I feel like a paranoid schizophrenic, looking all around me as I stealthily make my way to the garage where I keep my bike. Cain’s words about not believing me echo in my head for like the fiftieth time since last night, and I’m worried he will have someone watching me, digging into my life. I can’t have him—or anyone—finding out who I am. And more importantly, I can’t afford to bring trouble to Luc’s door.

Thankfully, I don’t see or hear anyone behind me as I approach the garage door and bend to yank it open. I need to complete this job ASAP. The longer I work it, the higher the chance Cain will discover who I am—or at least realize I’m up to something. It’s all good, though, because I have a plan for Chad Greenway, and I’m going to execute it tonight.

Pulling on my helmet, I walk the bike out of the garage and close the door behind me before taking off down the street, heading for the Antonellis’ part of town. I’m not sure if it’s psychological or real, but I swear, you can tell when you’ve hit Antonelli territory. In fairness, you do have to cross over a bridge to get to it, but it’s more than that. There’s a shine to the buildings that you don’t see where I live, and the same grime doesn’t seem to coat the streets.

When I’m a couple of blocks away from the Belle Donne, I park up at the side of the road and duck into an alleyway to change. I’ve brought fishnet tights and the shortest booty shorts I own, along with my laciest bra. I have absolutely no idea what high-end hookers wear, but it’s the best I could do, and I’m hoping any discrepancies won’t be noticed in the dim light of the club.

Once I’m dressed, I pull out a wig—this time one with long, dark brown, wavy hair. The color matches the brown contacts I put in before I left the apartment, the ensemble hopefully enough to disguise me from any security the Antonellis might have and prevent anyone inside the club from identifying me. Ready, I throw on a cheap trench coat that I can afford to discard once I’m inside, and amble across the street toward the Belle Donne.

My next hurdle is getting inside. I’d already written off the front door as my entry point. With the cameras and bouncers, there’s no way I’d easily get in, a fact I quickly confirm as I come out on the opposite side of the street to the club. Besides, I doubt that’s how the working girls get in and out of the club. No, my guess is, much like at Strip Tease, they use the back door.

Hurrying across the road, I stick close to the shadows provided by the adjacent building as I sneak down the alleyway running along the side of the club. As I go, I scan my eyes over the rest of the brick building, debating if there’s an alternative way in—an open window, a hidden roof entrance—but I don’t have time to scout the place out any further. Ideally, I would have taken my time to scope out the best way in, but Cain has forced my hand, and is making me act sooner than I’d like with this job. Just one more reason to be angry with that asshole. He’s completely messing with my life, and for what? So he can chase after some ghost? Who does he think he is? Surely, it must have crossed his mind that hunting down someone who kills gang members might result in his own death. It’s just idiotic.

Unable to spot a suitable alternative way into the club, I continue down the alley to the back of the building, where the staff entrance is. Crouching behind a dumpster, I take in the burly guard on duty, blocking the door and the security camera attached to the wall behind him.

I chew on my bottom lip as I debate what to do, but the way I see it, I only have one option, and I’m just going to have to hope on a wing and a prayer that it works.

With nothing else for it, I step out from behind the dumpster and stride toward the bouncer, my heels clicking against the cobblestones with every step. His head snaps in my direction, his eyes raking over me as I step into the pool of light surrounding the door.

I lick my lips in a nervous gesture as I look up at him with doe-like eyes. “Ahh, this is the staff entrance for Belle Donne, right? It’s my first night, and I’ve managed to get myself all worked up and disorientated.”

The guy just stares down at me with an impassive expression. “I wasn’t informed we had anyone new starting tonight.”

I let my eyes widen in shock, a flare of panic flashing across my face. “W-what? No, I definitely have the right start date. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I’m screwing this all up already. I can’t afford to lose another job.” I force tears to well in my eyes as I duck my head and sniffle. Why are so many men suckers for a crying woman? Not that I’m complaining, ninety percent of the time, it works in my favor. And as the guy huffs out a restrained breath, I know it’s working on him too.

“It’s alright, little lady. There’s no need to cry about it, they probably just forgot to inform me. Why don’t you go on in and talk to Franny in the office. She’ll get you sorted out before you start.”

I swipe under my eyes and look up at the frowning man like he just hung the moon for me. “Oh, thank you! Thank you!”

He gives me a tight smile in return as he ushers me through the door, and as it clangs shut behind me, I let the whole helpless woman look drop from my expression as I glance around, taking in the back hallway of the club.

Thankfully the hallway is empty, and I hurry along it, not needing to be caught now that I’m through the door. The wholeI’m newthing will only work for so long.

Finding the door into the main club, I push it open and slip inside, relief lifting my shoulders as I find the interior of the club lit only by dim lamps, providing a seductive atmosphere that matches the soft, sensual music and breathy moans I can hear in the quiet seconds between songs.

The room I’m in is made up of booths, with translucent curtains draped around each one, providing a modicum of privacy for its occupants. Unable to determine if Chad is behind any of them, I hurry across the thickly carpeted space toward the only other door in sight.

The next room’s atmosphere is entirely different from the one I just left behind. The music is faster and louder, intended to get the blood pumping and adrenaline flowing. The room is lit only by overhead neon lights, which flash, giving it an eerie quality. In the split-second flashes of light, I can make out people grinding on one another in the middle of a crowded dance floor and others making out against the booths lining the far walls.

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