Page 17 of Room Ten: Put on a Show

Instantly, Baron and Merrick crouched low. Merrick pushed Troy aside while Baron hooked an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. He drew his pistol from the shoulder holster concealed under his suit jacket. When I glanced over my shoulder at Merrick, he’d done the same.

My heart surged into my throat and a shiver of dread rippled up my spine. I’d had my fair share of stalkers, perverts, and creeps, but nothing violent. Not like this. I curled my fingers into Baron’s shirt, surrounded by his body heat and the weight of him. Baron and Merrick weren’t going to let anything happen to me.

The next few seconds passed in a blur.

Tucked under Baron’s arm, with Merrick bringing up the rear, they forged through the milling, panicked crowd to the door. Even though Baron was jostled by the press of people, and Merrick had to shoulder a path through like a linebacker, I was so well protected that my steps were steady.

Finally, Baron, Merrick, and I reached the door, spilling onto the bustling street and leaving the cramped, stifling atmosphere of Dizzy Pop behind. The scream of police sirens and the flashing blue and red lights lit up the night.

Baron kept his gun low, partly concealed at his side. Merrick moved around us and took the lead, forcing the crowd to part.

“Where’s Troy?” I asked, trying to crane my neck around Baron’s hulking body.

I didn’t see him. What if he was stuck in the crowd?

Baron brought his hand up, cradling the back of my head.

“Keep moving.”

Then we reached the car and Baron practically lifted me into the backseat, sliding in after me. He tossed the keys to Merrick who caught them seamlessly with one hand. When I tried to slide toward the window for a better look at the passing crowd, searching for Troy, Baron pulled me back against him.

“Stay away from the window.”

Under normal circumstances, I would disobey and do whatever the hell I wanted to.

But this time, I curled up at Baron’s side, safe and secure, while the street churned with chaos outside.

Chapter Six

Baron

Kenna’s perfume was still on my shirt. I scrubbed at a spot of her glittery body lotion that had rubbed off on my sleeve. For the entire drive back to her house, she remained huddled against my side, wide-eyed and trembling, uncharacteristically silent. When I gave an order, she obeyed without question. The fact that she didn’t fight me on anything was a red flag, indicating just how shaken up she was by the whole ordeal.

I stood in the kitchen now, several hours after the sun had risen. The sputter and hiss of the coffee pot was the only sound in the room. My jacket was draped over a nearby chair and I leaned against the counter, lost in thought.

With a tired sigh of frustration, I tipped my head back. The police had confirmed a shooter had been in the bar, thanks to a shell casing found on the floor. There were no leads on the shooter’s identity though, and that bothered me. Knowing someone had brought a gun to that overcrowded bar—the same bar Kenna was in—didn’t sit well in my stomach.

My phone rang where it rested on the counter. The screen read,CeCe Brinkley. I picked it up.

“What the hell happened?” she demanded. “I just got your message about the shooter. It’s all over the news.”

I grimaced and rubbed at my forehead. That’s what I was afraid of.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Merrick and I got Kenna home safe and sound.”

CeCe made a noise of relief. “Let me get dressed. I’ll come over right away.”

I debated whether that was a good idea or not. CeCe was a high energy person who seemed to operate on caffeine and a to-do list a mile long. Her natural instinct would be to manage the situation, manage Kenna, rather than letting Kenna rest the way she needed to.

“It might be best to wait a day or two,” I said.

“What about her concert next week? God, I sound like such a bitch saying that. Of course Kenna will have to cancel. She’s probably scared out of her mind. Poor sweetie. She can’t fucking sing at a time like this. Listen, I’ll call the venue and get a refund on the tickets started—”

“CeCe,” I cut in.

“What? What is it? Have I missed something?”

“I don’t really know how well Kenna is handling this yet. It’s too early to tell. But it’s Kenna we’re talking about. She’ll want to get back to normal as soon as possible. So, just be there when she’s ready, okay?”

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