Page 52 of Slay Me

Fuck.So, today brought me nothing, and now I have a show to prepare for when my beast is on edge. Even as I think it, he presses against the recesses of my mind, struggling to free himself.

And if he ever manages to do that, I could lose everything.

Chapter17

Liv

Fucking prick.I make my way into the hallway up to Dante’s apartment, anger simmering in my veins. Having to perform tonight was miserable. And not just for me;everyonewas off their game tonight.

And what’s worse? The Ringmaster made his appearance at the beginning of the show per usual but disappeared after that, completely skipping curtain call. Orgasmic bastard or not, it pisses me the hell off. Especially given all the time we’ve spent together over the last week.

Seems he gets to take a partial night off, but the rest of us are not so lucky. Even though the rest of us are grieving our friends. Not our property, our moneymakers, but ourfriends.Real people who had futures and now will be buried six feet beneath the ground.

I round the landing and meet the gaze of Killian, who’s positioned himself in front of Dante’s apartment.

“No performance tonight, Fury,” he tells me.

My heart falls even with as pissed as I am. “Where is he? Taking the night off?”

“Out,” Killian replies.

“Out. So he gets the entire evening off?”

“He’s the boss,” Killian replies.

I roll my eyes. “What the fuck ever.”

The shifter smirks. “You seem disappointed, Fury. You growing a bit attached?”

“Hardly,” I deadpan, hoping to appear far less interested than I am. “Just curious what could have kept him away from curtain call and what keeps him away now.” Truthfully, if he’s gone, this might be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. And after what happened with Thomas and Jenny, I don’t want to risk staying here any longer than I have to.

Not even for a dragon shifter who makes me feel things I shouldn’t.

“When will he be back?” I question.

“You’re not at liberty to know,” he replies. “Have a nice night, Liv.”

“Fine. Fuck you, too.” Not wasting any more time, I turn and walk down the stairs as normal as possible. The last thing I need is for the shifter to catch any hint that something is off. The moment I reach the hall, however, I sprint toward Apollo’s room.

I knock on the door, hammering my fists and hoping he’s back from dinner.

“Who the fuck—” He rips the door open but trails off when he sees me. “Liv.” Grinning, he leans against his doorframe, broad chest bare. “What can I do for you?”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.” Apollo moves to the side and then shuts the door behind me.

“Did you mean what you said?” I question. “Last week. Did you mean it?”

His brow furrows. “What are you talking about?”

“Leaving this place. Going to Fire and Fluorite. You said you would take me away.”

His expression shifts from relaxed to confused. Then, his cheeks redden. “The Alpha Supreme was less than willing to take me back, given her close relationship with the Ringmaster.”

“We can go anywhere, though, right? Any of the houses might take us.”

“We may stand a chance at Blood and Beryl,” he says as he runs a hand through his hair. “But it’s risky.”

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