AllFreeNovel
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As we circle around the back of the crowd, the current song ends and instead of jumping right into the next one, the lead singer addresses the crowd.
“I love you, Minneapolis!” A cheer roars through the crowd at the mention of our city. “This next one we’re going to do a little differently. We’re gonna sing it in Swedish.”
Another loud cheer goes up, distracting me, so I don’t notice Nero’s steps have slowed until I’m bumping into his back.
Before I can apologize, he squeezes my hand and continues walking at his previous pace.
We make it through the lobby, and out the front doors, before Nero stops again.
This time, I manage to put my free hand up, pressing my palm to his back to keep from crashing into him.
“You okay?” I question.
He grunts, then looks both ways before tugging me toward a pair of security guards standing off to the side, clearly waiting for the concert to end.
“Hey, Mr. Suit. Enjoy the show?” the woman asks him, with a knowing smirk on her face.
She’s young, pretty, has an edgy haircut, and I don’t like the way she’s looking at him.
I step up so Nero and I are side-by-side, then I let go of his hand and run my hand up the inside of his forearm until I’ve hooked my arm through his.
The movement doesn’t go unnoticed, and I watch the woman’s smirk grow even wider.
Okay, so she’s amused by me, not intimidated. And I’m not sure how to feel about that.
But then Nero presses his arm to his side, trapping mine where it is. And I know exactly how to feel about that.
“It was quite the experience.”
I have to take a moment to remember the woman’s question after Nero responds, and when I do, I feel my cheeks heat. I fervently hope she keeps her gaze on Nero’s handsome face and away from anything that might be going on below the hem of my skirt.
“Glad to hear it.” Her eyes flick back to me. “Was there something you needed?”
“Just wondering if Hans was here tonight?” Nero asks.
I know I don’t know him that well, but something about his tone feels off.
The woman straightens from her spot leaning against a pillar, as she glances at her colleague. “I thought you said you weren’t here for the owner’s meeting?”
“I’m not.” His faux friendliness evaporates with those two words.
The worker glances back to me, but I’m just as confused as she is.
“Have a good night.” Nero dips his chin, then drags me away.
“What was that about?” I ask when we’ve put some distance between us and the security guards.
“Nothing.”
“Who’s Hans?”
He’s quiet for a few strides, then heaves out a breath. “No one you want to know.”
I press my lips together but decide to take him at his word.
The walk to Nero’s car goes by in a swirl of dancing thoughts while I pretend the cold air isn’t licking at my bare butt.
Nero turns into a small surface lot and walks me up to the passenger side door of a low, probably expensive, sports car.
