“Well, let me show you to the closet,” Wyatt said, pointing at the hallway. “I want you to get there by seven.”

  “That seems early for a club,” Charlie said, wrapping her arms around herself as Wyatt pulled open the rickety closet door.

  Charlie sucked in a breath at the short red and black dresses. I swallowed and squeezed my eyes shut as if I could make myself go back in time and reject Wyatt’s job offer.

  “It’s early, but I want to make sure you don’t miss her. There might be a lot of waiting involved,” Wyatt said, dragging his hands across the silky fabrics, causing them to sway into each other. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

  “Wyatt,” I said, gasping for a breath as he started to close the bedroom door.

  “Yes?” he asked, raising a brow.

  I pressed my lips together and stared at the clothing. “I can’t wear any of this.”

  “Please,” he said, his jaw stiffening. He didn’t wait for me to argue before he closed the door.

  Charlie pulled out a black dress with a plunging neckline. “This isn’t too bad.”

  “God dammit,” I said, burying my face in my hands.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Charlie said, patting my hand. “Pretend it’s a costume. It’s only one night, and you’re helping your cousin. No one you know will see you.”

  I pulled the dress out of her hands and rolled my eyes. I wasn’t worried about being seen by anyone I knew, after all, I didn’t really know that many people. It was more that I didn’t want to look like a fool, even to strangers.

  “Think this will fit?” Charlie asked, holding up a strapless red dress that looked like it was made of plastic.

  “Try it on,” I said.

  “His ex sure has a strange wardrobe,” Charlie said, searching through the hanging dresses. “Not even a single pair of jeans.”

  My shoulders dropped as I held up the black dress. “She probably took most of her stuff when she moved out.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “I can’t do this, Charlie,” I said, turning even though it felt like I was trying to balance two sacks of potatoes on my shoulders.

  Charlie looked at the dress and then at me. “I’ll do it. Just come along and tell me what to do. We can communicate by phone.”

  Charlie was a much better friend to me than I was to her. Even though her suggestion was appealing, I couldn’t let her do the work and then take all Wyatt’s money.

  “No, no. It’s fine. I’m sorry, it’s just a dress like this will make me feel very uncomfortable,” I said, placing my hand on my swirling stomach.

  “It’s not going to make me feel comfortable either,” Charlie said. “It’s pretending. Playing dress-up.”

  I hugged the small dress to my body and took a step toward Charlie. “You don’t have to do this. It’s my job. Go back to the hotel, and I’ll call you when I’m done.”

  “No thanks,” Charlie said, shaking her head. “I don’t want to drive back and stay in the hotel alone.” She took my hand in hers. “We got this.”

  I pulled in a breath and forced a weak, shaky smile. “Okay. I guess I’ll go change.”

  Chapter

  Seventeen

  I locked the bathroom door and quickly changed into the black dress… if you could call it that. More of my skin was showing than if I’d worn a one-piece swimsuit. Well, maybe not exactly, but it felt that way.

  My arms and legs looked like white toothpicks poking out of the slinky, silky piece of fabric. Charlie wasn’t wrong about it being like a costume. The only problem was, I didn’t want to dress up like a slutty porcelain doll.

  As much as I wanted to stay in the bathroom the entire night, I knew I couldn’t leave Charlie waiting for me forever. I pulled down the skirt as far as I could without allowing my boobs to pop out of the top. I gave myself a quick look before groaning and stepping out into the hallway.

  Charlie was leaning against the wall, twisting her fingers together. Her voice was softer than a summer breeze, but it lacked its usual comforting calmness. “Finally.”

  My jaw dropped as my eyes caught her. Charlie was an absolute knockout in the red dress and matching heels that were so high my ankles hurt just looking at them.

  “Wow, Charlie,” I said, popping my brows up on my forehead.

  “I know, right?” she said, playfully twirling her hair around her finger. “It’s so not me, but I think I might need to steal this outfit and show it to my fiance.”

  “He’ll love it.”

  I didn’t know him, but there was no doubt in my mind he’d love her. Hell, if he saw her, their next announcement would be that they were expecting.

  “And look at you,” Charlie said, fanning herself.

  “I’m freezing,” I said, grimacing. I sighed and crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Might as well not be wearing anything at all.”

  “That’s dramatic,” she said, pointing at a pair of chunky boots on the floor next to her. “Found these in the closet for you. I knew you wouldn’t wear heels no matter how much Wyatt paid you.”

  I held the dress tightly to my body as I awkwardly crouched to pick them up. “You got that right.”

  “It’s beyond shocking you haven’t fled,” Charlie mumbled.

  I waved her words away. It wasn’t like I was about to tell her how badly I needed the money. She probably already guessed as much and was polite enough not to mention it.

  “They look a little big,” I said, setting them on the floor and placing my palms on the wall to hold myself up as I slipped my feet inside.

  “Well, it’s not like he’ll let you wear your sneakers,” Charlie whispered, covering her mouth as Wyatt stepped into view at the end of the hallway. He cleared his throat, and Charlie curled her lips into a smile. “We’re almost ready.”

  Wyatt nodded. “Good. Come out to the living room. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  “God dammit,” I mumbled.

  I slid my feet into the boots without bothering to tie the laces and followed Charlie down the hallway. We were in the small kitchen when the living room chair squeakily turned.

  A man slowly got to his feet, his lips curling as he looked at us. “Hello, there.”

  His fitted T-shirt was white. His pants were white. Even his shoes were white. Everything was so white it looked as though it must have been the first time he had worn the ensemble.

  “This is my friend, Noah. He owns the house, the property, and this trailer he so kindly rents to me,” Wyatt said, tilting his head at the taller man. “Noah, this is my cousin, Remy, and her very good friend… I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”

  Charlie smiled and stuck out her hand toward Noah. “I’m Charlie.”

  “So very nice to meet you,” Noah said, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. He held her gaze while he placed a quick kiss on the back of her hand.

  “What a gentleman,” Charlie said, repeatedly blinking as her cheeks changed to a gentle rosy shade.

  Noah’s eyes flashed to me, and my breath caught in my throat. The glint in his crystal blue eyes was like hypnotizing gems shimmering and sparkling in the sunlight.

  “Remy,” I said, wrapping my arms around myself, doing my best to avoid making too much eye contact.

  Noah grinned, as if he knew exactly why I was hugging myself. He tucked his hands into his pockets and gave me a nod.

  He was distractingly handsome. I was annoyed with myself for even noticing. His blonde hair was tousled around his forehead, and his jawline was strong and defined. Noah towered over me by several inches, exuding a mysterious air of confidence.

  His fair skin was smooth and flawless, and I hadn’t even realized I was staring at his full lips until he knowingly cleared his throat. He shifted his broad shoulders as his muscular body followed his slow, deliberate movements. I wanted to look away from him, but I couldn’t. Noah was like a bright light in the darkness, and it was oddly compelling.

  “If there is anything I can do for you ladies while you’re in town, please do not hesitate to ask,” Noah said, as his eyes shifted to my wrist. “That’s a beautiful bracelet.”

  “Thank you,” I replied.

  Noah cocked his head. “What is it?”

  “Metal. Or maybe stone,” I said, shrugging as I covered it with my hand. Suddenly, I felt more protective of the bracelet than I did of my body. I turned to Wyatt. “I guess we’re ready.”

  “Right,” Wyatt said, placing his hand on Noah’s back. He guided him to the door, patting gently as he pulled it open. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  Noah stepped outside into the darkness, the wind gently blowing his hair as he seemingly glowed. He looked over Wyatt’s shoulder at me.

  “I’m just a hop, skip, and a jump away if you need anything… anything at all,” Noah said, grinning. “Have a wonderful evening, Charlie and Remy.”

  My body warmed as his melted chocolate voice rolled down my body. I pulled in a breath, but before I could respond, Wyatt closed the door.

  Wyatt’s eyes popped wide, as if Noah’s presence was an intrusion. “He’s a good guy, but doesn’t trust that I’m keeping this place nice. It was shit when I moved in.”

  Charlie and I exchanged a quick glance. She opened her mouth, but I stepped in front of her before she could offer to help him tidy up.

  “All right, Wyatt. Where are we supposed to go, and what exactly do you want me to do?” I asked, pressing my lips together.

  Wyatt dug something out of his pocket and slammed it down on the only clean spot on the table. It was a picture of a beautiful, extremely short woman with cherry-red hair. Her lipstick was a dark shade of purple that almost appeared black on her thin lips.

  “This is Ricki,” Wyatt said, all remaining bits of happiness dripping from his face. “You will find her. See who she’s with. Take pictures, do anything and everything to learn about the place she hangs out and the people she’s with.”

  A disapproving noise rumbled deep inside Charlie. If Wyatt heard it, he ignored her. After all, he could didn’t care if Charlie was there or not.

  “I’ll text you the address,” Wyatt said.

  “So, you know where she’ll be?” I asked.

  Wyatt nodded as he picked up the picture and tucked it back into his wallet. “I’ve never been allowed inside, but yes, I know where she’ll be.”

  “Why won’t they let you in?” Charlie asked.

  “I think she told them not to let me in,” Wyatt said, running his shaking fingers through his hair. He looked into my eyes and pulled in a quick breath. “Anyway, you should get going.”

  I blew out a breath between my lips. “Okay. We’ll see if we can learn anything that will be helpful.”

  “Thank you,” Wyatt said. “Really. I mean it. Thank you.”

  We left the trailer and got into Charlie’s car. She started the engine and turned to me. “This is messed up.”

  Chapter

  Eighteen

  I placed my hands on my thighs and sighed. “You should go back to the hotel. I got this. It shouldn’t take that long.”

  “No,” Charlie said sharply as she released the brake and turned around in the long driveway. “I can’t let you do this alone.”

  “Charlie,” I said, twisting in my seat to look at her. “This isn’t your mess.”

  She kept her eyes on the road. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not letting you alone in a strange place dressed like that. Someone has to watch your back.”

  “Please, Charlie, reconsider.”

  “I will not.” She flicked me a quick look. “So, stop asking.”

  We didn’t talk much on the ride to town. I’d been too busy staring into the ditches, looking for strange little raccoon creatures that might dart into the road and flip Charlie’s car.

  “You’re different,” Charlie said seconds after clicking the turn signal.

  The city lights colored the sky in pale yellows, reds, and blue. My heart thudded, knowing it wouldn’t be long before I’d have to go in and follow a woman around because my cousin was paying me. I didn’t even know who I was.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Out at night. Doing what seems like possibly questionable things for your cousin.” Charlie looked at me for a moment before the stoplight turned green. “Hanging out with me and not seeming completely miserable.”

  I wrapped my fingers around the bracelet. “I guess I am different.”

  “Why?” Charlie asked softly.

  “I wish I knew.”

  “I think you know.”

  I swallowed down the sour taste creeping up the back of my throat. “The only thing that is different is after the accident, I just felt like I didn’t need to hide as much.”

  “Oh,” Charlie said, her shoulders bouncing. “I bet it’s because you were so close to dying that you realized you’re getting a second chance at life. You want to live before you die. Right? Am I right?”

  I sank back into the seat as the phone announced we’d arrived at our destination. Some parts of me were different, and other parts weren’t. I still didn’t want to go into a club.

  “Maybe it’s something like that,” I said.

  Charlie pushed her shoulders back. “I knew it. Maybe I should take some courses to be a therapist or something.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” I said, picking up my phone off the dash. I looked over my body, realizing that I didn’t have anywhere to stash my phone.

  Charlie parked the car several blocks away, taking the closest spot she could find. “This place is hopping.”

  “Did you notice there wasn’t a sign?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder. “Nothing but a black building with a red door.”

  “And people waiting in line. Oh, and there was a sign,” Charlie said, taking my phone. “I can put that in my purse for you.”

  I squinted at the building. “Where is there a sign?”

  “There was a small light in the window for some beer company,” Charlie said, checking her lipstick in the rearview. “Ready?”

  I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes. My lungs filled with air as I squeezed the medallion. It was like I could feel it pumping through my veins.

  “Ready,” I said, opening the door.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Charlie said, opening the car door.

  She swung her legs out and carefully stood without flashing her underwear at anyone that might be looking in our direction. Charlie threw me a smile as she locked the car and dropped the keys into her purse.

  Her heels clacked on the concrete as she pranced to my side of the car and linked her arm with mine. She gave my arm a squeeze and guided me across the street.

  “It’s going to be okay, she said.

  I placed my hand on the medallion as I drew in a breath. My muscles relaxed, and I offered her a quick, thin-lipped smile.

  “I know. I can’t say I’m super comfortable with all this,” I grumbled.

  “You’re a really good cousin,” Charlie said, stepping up behind the last person in line.

  The girl with black lipstick and long braids turned and looked down her nose at Charlie. Her nose twitched as if she smelled a pig farm.

  “What are you looking at?” the thin woman spat.

  Charlie kept her smile on her face. It didn’t waver even the slightest.

  “Well, you’re just so dang pretty.” Charlie flipped her hair to the side. “I didn’t mean to stare. Please forgive me, but I couldn’t help it. It won’t happen again.”

  The woman didn’t say anything, but she turned around and refocused her attention on the dark-haired man she was with. He glanced at Charlie over his shoulder and slid his hand down the woman’s backside, winking when he grabbed the woman’s ass.

  Charlie’s nails dug into my arm, but she kept her eyes forward. Maybe she didn’t notice, but something told me she was just doing a really good job pretending she hadn’t.

  The line didn’t move much as the minutes passed, but it grew even longer. If Wyatt’s ex was in line, I hadn’t spotted her, nor had Charlie.

  “What if she doesn’t even come here tonight?” Charlie asked as we took a half-step forward.

  “I don’t know,” I said, biting back my frown.

  I shifted my weight and kept my arms crossed as we gradually crept forward. We were about ten feet from the door when the music grew louder with each step. The bass drum pounded through my stomach as if the drummer had been playing from inside my body.

  The sounds were distracting. Everyone talking and laughing and whispering was overwhelming. The bracelet helped with fear, but it didn’t help with the anxiety I was feeling. Even though I was outside, it felt like the walls were closing in on me.

  “Next,” a man bellowed.

  Charlie tugged my arm, and a woman behind me jabbed her finger into my shoulder. “Go, bitch!”

  My eyes narrowed as my heart pounded and my hands clenched into fists. Charlie yanked me along with her up to the door.

  The man looked us up and down, dragging his thumb across his bottom lip as he grinned. “New here, huh?”

  “We heard this was the place to be,” Charlie said, bouncing slightly.

  “Oh, yeah?” the bouncer asked. “Who did you hear that from?”

  Charlie’s smile trembled for the first time. “Oh, you know, just talk on the streets.”

  “No one in particular,” I added.

  He gave me a nod as he unclipped the red rope and waved us in. The bouncer smacked my ass and laughed.

  My teeth were clenched. Before I could tell the bouncer to go to hell, Charlie dragged me inside, where the sound drowned out the man’s laughter.

  We walked down a long hallway, and the music got impossibly loud. Bodies undulated up and down and round and round with the music as lights flickered and flashed.

  Charlie squeezed my arm tighter as we pushed our way through the crowd, thicker than caramel. There were seats and tables lining the stage, but they were all taken. Everyone was hooting and hollering as naked women danced seductively on the stage, draped with giant snakes hanging from their necks like gaudy costume jewelry.

  A man reached out and touched one of the dancer’s legs as he stuck out his tongue, wiggling wildly. Her lips slowly curled into a smile before she struck him in the face with the flat sole of her ultra-high platform heels.

 

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