Start a War (Saint View Psychos #1)(33)

“He was in an MC?”

She shook her head. “No. But I know he hung out with them. Went to their parties.” She hesitated. “That’s all I know for sure. But if he was hanging out with them socially, maybe he was doing other things with them…”

I mulled that over. “You know this for sure?”

“I saw him at a party with my own two eyes.”

“What were you doing at an MC party?”

She grinned. “A guy?”

“Gunner?”

She burst into laughter and threw a makeup brush at me. “No! I know I said Nash is hot, and he’s older. But there’s a big difference from Nash’s almost forty to Gunner’s sixty-five, sis.”

I let Rebel finish my makeup and then do her own. If Axel was in with the Slayers, then I needed to know more about them. If the cops were right and his death was at the hands of a gang member, then I wanted to know who. “Could you take me with you?” I asked suddenly.

“Where?”

“To the Slayers party? Next time they have one?”

She paused with her mascara wand halfway to her eye. “Ah, Dis. You don’t know what you’re asking. Let’s just get you through Psychos tonight, okay? If you can handle that—”

“Why on earth wouldn’t I be able to handle it?”

She went back to coating her eyelashes with thick, black goop. “You’ll see.”





13





BLISS





There was a different vibe in the air at Psychos when Rebel and I arrived. It wasn’t just the fact it was so late. Or rather, early. The clock had ticked over to midnight on the drive over from Providence, and I wasn’t sure if it was that or the fact that Rebel kept calling me Disney, but I actually did feel a little like Cinderella out past her bedtime.

I was not planning on running out of here in tears, or losing my Jimmy Choos, though. I was over crying, and these heels had been expensive.

Outside the bar, a figure leaned on the wall, a lit cigarette dangling from his fingers.

Nash.

He dropped it on the ground when he saw us crossing the parking lot and stubbed it out with the toe of his boot. The night was lit only by the midnight stars, a fat full moon, and a couple of wall sconces creating puddles of light at Nash’s back. But I didn’t miss the way his gaze rolled over me. His eyes flared ever so slightly, then wandered down my body, slow and thick as molasses, despite the fact my coat hid the too-sexy dress Rebel had talked me into wearing.

My footsteps faltered, my ankle wobbling a little in my heels.

Rebel tucked her arm through mine, pressing herself close to my side. “Get your head up, honey. Strut like you have all the confidence in the world. You show intimidation in this place, and the sharks will circle.”

A spear of worry stabbed through me. “Nash wouldn’t…”

“Nash wouldn’t hurt a fly. But if you can’t even handle him looking at you in your coat, then we should turn around right now because you are not ready for what’s going to happen inside.”

I stopped. I could feel Nash’s gaze as he came closer, but that was fine, because my worry was partly his fault anyway. “Can somebody please tell me what the hell is going on inside? You’re freaking me the hell out. I feel like I’m the stupid, na?ve girl being led to slaughter.”

Nash frowned. “You really think I’d let you put yourself in danger?”

A little of the fear released its hold on me. I knew he wouldn’t. “No.”

He nodded, seemingly no longer insulted. “You’ll be fine.”

“Aren’t you working?”

“Not tonight. Tonight I’m just your tour guide.”

“But some of us do have to work. So I’m leaving her in your capable hands, Boss Man.” Rebel skipped ahead a few steps, walking backward and grinning at him. “Behave yourself. Her dress is gonna knock your socks off, but she’s had a shit of a night and she’s Axel’s baby sister, remember.”

“Like I’d fucking forgotten. Get to work.”

She saluted him and disappeared inside the building.

Nash focused down on me. “What happened tonight?”

I sighed. “Long story. Can we go inside? I need a drink if I’m going to rehash it again.”

Nash put his hand to the small of my back, guiding me toward the entrance. The creepy clown didn’t bother me quite as much tonight. It felt a little less sinister with Nash behind me.

He opened the door for me and ushered me inside. The two burly security guards were back. I still didn’t get a good vibe from them, even though this time they kept their opinions to themselves. I wasn’t sure if that was because I was with Nash or if they’d heard I now owned the club and could fire them if I wanted to.

Murmuring a greeting because I’d had manners drummed into me from age six, I went to move past them into the bar, but Nash caught my wrist.

Even though he was restraining me, his touch was gentle. His fingers were warm, though slightly rough, like he’d spent his life using them well. “Not that way.”

I turned and gazed up at him, questions in my eyes.

Security bozo number one pulled aside the black curtain at his back, revealing a door I hadn’t realized was there. He opened it, and a spill of chatter and slow, sultry music fell out. “Have a good night, boss.”