I’m taking it in while trying to formulate questions, thoughts, something.
A gun? I’m stuck on that part.
“I’ll be back for you. I’ll send a server up with another drink,” Killian tells me.
“No booze. Water, please.” I say, needing my head clear, because I’m completely discombobulated.
He hands me my phone. I tap it for the time. 8:51.
What in the world is going to happen at 9:05 when I’m not down at that exit?
“Can you stay? Let your security deal?” I ask.
He looks me right in the eyes and lets out a breath. “Unfortunately, I can’t do that. I need to see to this.”
I bite my thumbnail, but then my phone dings again with another text from Ray. A line of question marks.
“Don’t be frightened. It’s fine. Trust me.” He’s directly in front of me, looking at the screen.
“He’s not a gun violence type, I don’t think, Killian. I don’t… I’m thrown.”
“Of course you are. Thank you for showing me the text. Thank you for trusting me. Don’t answer him. I’ve got this.” He cups my jaw and looks deep into my eyes.
“Don’t get hurt. Please,” I plead.
His lips part, his eyes drop to my mouth, and his thumb grazes my cheekbone before his eyes bounce back up to lock with mine.
His expression warms.
“And d-don’t hurt him.”
His expression changes just marginally, but then his phone makes a text alert sound, so his attention snaps to it, though he doesn’t let go of my face as he lifts it from his pocket.
“What’s gonna happen?” I ask.
“I’m gonna go see what’s what.”
I stare as he pockets his phone.
“I’ll be back. Stay here. There’s a private bathroom there if you need it.” He gestures to a door before he kisses my forehead softly and my eyes close as I feel the sensation of his lips lingering there.
I empty my lungs of air as he caresses my cheek with the backs of his fingers. And then he’s gone.
Not only am I thrown by the fact that Ray’s here, with a gun, but the way Killian has been since we’ve arrived here. The comments. The lingering looks. The affection.
I give my head a shake. I’m feeling overheated, suddenly, and shaky. I’m having some sort of anxiety attack, obviously.
Not a moment later, Guy comes in and brings me a bottle of water and a small platter of fruit, nuts, olives, and cheese.
“Are you okay?” he asks. “You look upset.”
“No, I’m, I… I can’t really, um… can I just pace until Killian gets back?” I ask.
Guy tilts his head to the side a little, regarding me.
“Do you want me to distract you from whatever has you pacing?”
I shake my head. “No. I just wanna pace. Thank you anyway.”
“I’ll leave you to it, unless you want company.”
“No, that’s okay. Thanks. Um…thanks.”
I’m barely aware of him slipping out as I pace. I pace and pace, drinking my water, not touching the food, finding the smell of the olives a bit nauseating, in fact. From the wall of glass, I look down at the place for signs of anything or anyone until I feel half dizzy from scanning the view.
My anxiety over all this isn’t dissipating. With every moment that passes, it gets more acute.
There are lots of people in the club, obviously having a great time. People are snapping photos, selfies, playing games, talking in groups with drinks and food, and having a laugh. The place has music playing and I can hear it up here.
A gun?
Is he gone crazy?
What the heck, Ray? 9:05 passes without incident.
9:07 I get a text. Shakily, I bring the screen closer to my face.
Killian: All’s good. Don’t worry. Be up soon.
***
It’s 9:19 before the door opens and that’s when I’m faced with Killian, Ray, and three other men.
I breathe out a sigh of relief and sag against the desk behind me, balancing on it. No one’s bleeding. Nobody’s looking hurt.
The private eye from yesterday, Killian’s friend Jagger, and the huge security guy who I’ve seen at Genesis come in as well.
Ray looks sheet-white as he takes me in. I’m sitting on the edge of the desk. I stand up.
“Vi,” he whispers, voice laced with pain.
He’s wearing a suit, a suit I’ve never seen, though he’s wearing the dress shoes that I bought him for my cousin’s wedding that he never attended. He’s clean-shaven. He looks more together than he has in eons. Except for the look on his face. The paleness. The fear in his eyes.
“What’s going on?” I ask Killian, ignoring Ray.
“Everyone, excuse us,” Killian says, then he moves to the security screens and hits buttons on a keyboard and the noise from the club cuts off instantly. “Tony, wait outside the door,” Killian adds.
And the silence feels deafening. All my own thoughts and fears and the confusion amid panic I’m feeling is no longer being drowned out by music and background noise.