Page 40 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Bodyguard

I blinked. I guessed that was why she was a member of a sex club. She really, really liked a lot of sex. This was a different world to me, and I’d lived in a motorcycle club compound for years.

I made sure and locked the door to the dressing room. I didn’t want someone to mistake this for one of the performance rooms and start trying to fuck me in front of a window or something. I felt that Cayenne was safe; I just didn’t want to risk a misunderstanding.

I was halfway through putting my clothes on when my phone buzzed. With a sad heart, I knew it probably wouldn’t be Byron. Or if it was, it would be him telling me he was with Carmen now.

I’d heard men sucked. But I just couldn’t believe it of him. All I could think was that he’d loved Carmen so long that even though he was interested in me, she would always mean more.

I sighed and picked it up. It was from Byron. But it wasn’t good. Or bad, really.

Byron:Hey. Didn’t have time to tell you goodbye. I had to fly out to Virginia to see my parents. I’m giving them an update on my plans. We’ll talk when I get back. I left a message with Nadine telling her what was going on. I’m sure she’ll come to pick you up. See you soon.

It was quick and impersonal.

Change of plans. Virginia. His parents.

I closed my eyes. He was telling them he was going to marry Carmen.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jess

I went out front to get my ride from Nadine. I didn’t even want to see anyone, much less ride in a car with them. I didn’t want to tell my big sister that I was being dumped after I’d been dumb enough to fall for a guy so quickly. Even if Nadine was the sweetest person in the world, I still didn’t want to disappoint her. But I didn’t have much choice. I sure as hell wasn’t going to take an Uber until I knew for sure Skeeter was dead. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still alive.

I walked slowly to the front of Sugar, looking around for Nadine. She was nowhere to be found. Confused, I went to the bar. I hated to bother Nora during her busiest time, but I knew she saw everything that went on in Sugar. She had an eye for detail.

“Hey,” I gave her a little wave. She smiled and held up a finger. She loaded a tray with drinks and handed it to Glory. Then she hurried over to me.

“What’s up?”

“Have you seen Nadine?”

She frowned. “Don’t you know?”

I lifted my eyebrows. “Know what?”

“Well, Byron left for Virginia. He said something about catching a flight to tell his parents his plans.” She must’ve seen my face fall. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Not really.” I told her what I’d heard between Carmen and him before my set in Cayenne.

“That doesn’t sound like him. I mean, I knew he and Carmen used to be… something. But he doesn’t hop from woman to woman. There’s no way he would’ve started something back up with her before finding you and telling you first.”

“He flew to Virginia to tell his parents his plans. That seems like he could be telling them he wants to marry Carmen.”

“I doubt it. Anyway, Nadine and Reynolds flew after him. They think he’s accepting a job from his dad or something.”

I was totally confused now. Byron hadn’t shared much with me about his parents. Was he leaving West Bay? Or marrying Carmen? “I bet he’s never coming back,” I said.

“I don’t think that’s it.” A couple of hostesses yelled for her. “I’ve got to get back to work. Don’t worry about this. I’m sure it will all be fine.”

I turned around and realized Leo was standing so close to me I was startled. “Oh! Leo, you scared me.”

“Sorry. I’m here to take you home.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Nadine told me to come get you. She and Reynolds flew to Virginia after Byron. I’m going to stay with you at their place tonight, okay?”

I had so many questions, but it was loud in the club. I’d wait to ask the important ones until we were in the car. “Um, Joaquin’s not coming, right?”