Hooked (Never After, #1)(5)

I lean in close, allowing the tip of my blade to rest against his throat. “Be a good boy, Starkey, and let. Them. In.”

“Yes, sir,” he mumbles.

Patting him on the shoulder, he spins and rushes out the door.

Ru points at me with his cigar, amusement lining his eyes. “And that is why you aren’t coming to this meeting.”

I smile, straightening the cuffs of my jacket. “That’s fair. I’m off to the main floor, anyway. I have a bouncer to make disappear, and a sudden appetite for something pretty.”

Ru chuckles. “Just make sure they’re legal.”

Grabbing the door handle, I pause. “Ru?”

He grunts.

“Make sure Peter knows I’m so looking forward to meeting him face to face.”





3





Wendy





An hour ago, I would have sworn we were on the verge of being arrested, and now I’m sitting in the VIP room of a swanky bar, sipping overpriced champagne, courtesy of “an admirer.”

Apparently, the legal drinking age is more of a suggestion here than an actual requirement. Embarrassment slams into me as I think of all the people outside, watching Maria yell because the bouncer didn’t fall for my fake ID. I’m not surprised, I don’t look a thing like Angie’s sister. I was two seconds away from dipping into the closest cab and bolting, but then a blond man in a fitted suit walked out and whispered in the doorman’s ear. Next thing you know, we were led to a VIP area.

I feel extremely out of place, but this is arguably the most fun I’ve had in years, which makes me feel pathetic considering we aren’t doing anything other than drinking and people watching.

Or more specifically, watching for one person.

Hook.

I roll my eyes at the name, but can’t help the tendril of curiosity that’s bloomed inside of me. Apparently, he’s the main reason they always come to this place over any other. Just for the hope to see him again.

Maria swears he’s her soul mate, so every weekend she shows back up, her eyes peeled and her legs already half open, hoping he’ll come down from his ivory tower and she can steal him away.

“So, tell me about your man,” I say to Maria as I sip from my champagne flute and glance around the room.

Angie groans. “Ugh, don’t get her started.”

Maria’s face splits into a grin. “It happened about a month ago when I was at the bar getting a round, and I swear to you, the crowds parted and there he was. Sitting like a fucking god in the back booth, cigar smoke swirling around him.”

“Did you go talk to him?” I ask.

Angie laughs. “Yeah, right. She’d have to get through all his lackeys for that.”

I cock my head. “His ‘lackeys?’”

She lifts a shoulder. “He’s always surrounded by men.”

My brows shoot to my hairline. “Maybe he’s gay.”

Angie cackles, but Maria’s gaze narrows. “We had a moment.”

“A moment so strong, he never searched her out after,” Angie snorts.

“He’s clearly a busy man,” Maria snaps, wiping a strand of hair from her face. “But that’s why we’re here now. One of these nights, he’ll find me.”

“And he’ll take you up to his bed and split you apart with his monster cock.” Angie’s eyes grow big as she spreads her hands shoulder-width apart.

Giggling, I rub my face. “Well, that sounds realistic.”

Maria’s lip curls. “Girl, why’d you even come if you’re gonna talk shit the whole time? You could have just stayed home and saved us all this trouble.”

I shrink into myself, my stomach burning with guilt. “I’m sorry, I believe you, I do.” My fingers tangle in my lap, twisting around each other. “You just make him sound so… mythical.”

Her eyes roll. “It’s not like he’s a figment of our imagination, Wendy. He’s a businessman. He owns the fucking bar!” Her hands smack the seat cushion.

My brow rises. “He does?”

“I think so, anyway. He’s not always down here, but whenever he is, he comes from the back and always sits in that same spot.” Maria points to the far corner of the room, where a booth sits—an empty space in the otherwise crowded room.

She takes a sip of her drink. “Anyway, luck is on my side. I can feel it.” She taps her long, red nail to her temple.

I lean over, clinking my champagne flute against hers, trying to mend the bridges I’ve obviously torched before they could finish being built. “I think you’re right. It does feel lucky tonight.”

Maria grins—the first genuine smile she’s ever given me—and satisfaction blossoms in my chest. Maybe I’ll be okay at this friend thing, after all.

Suddenly, heat pricks the back of my neck, and I twist in my seat, an unsettling feeling of being watched washing over me. But when I turn, there’s nothing there.

Odd.

I drain the rest of my glass and stand, leaning in toward the girls. “Hey, I’ll be back. Need the ladies room.”

“Hey,” Angie shouts when I’m halfway out of the room. “The one down here is always packed. Find the hallway to the right of the bar, there’s one in the back that isn’t used as much.”