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It’s like an ever-looping battle, one side constantly raging while the other struggles to contain it for the sake of Aria. She cannot see me like this.
Anyone but her.
I don’t want her to look at me the same way others have.
Chapter5
Aria
Chase is barely conscious as we climb the stairs to my home. I help him to my bed and he blacks out before I’ve pulled his shoes off and covered him. Looking at his face, I wonder what happened. None of us touched the wine Chase ordered, and there certainly wasn’t enough to elicit this kind of response. Has he come down with a sudden virus? Is it something he ate?
Stepping back, I hope it wasn’t something to do with the meeting. It went as well as I expected—a fat load of nothing. Sure, Chase may have proposed searching for the thugs while Zayn fishes around, but how long is that going to take? Whatever length of time, Peter doesn’t have it.
I walk to my kitchen and pour Chase a glass of water. When I leave it on my bedside table, I poke around in the shelves for some pain killers. I don’t really find any except for Motrin. Hopefully he’ll be able to handle that, and I’m not just making things worse.
As I leave both of the items on the table, I step back, watching him. Chase is doing everything he can to help me. But I also know two things.
It might not be enough.
And he’s keeping something from me.
The way he cut Zayn off only proves that. I’d already sensed a tension, a vigilance that I don’t understand.
Glancing at the clock I register it’s nine o’clock. About the time I would’ve started working at the club.
I straighten in shock. If I want to save Peter, I’m going to have to go back.
Not to work, but for answers. There’s a lot that I don’t know about the club, and knowing something is better than not knowing anything at all. It’s not like Chase will tell me, he loves me, but I know he’s hiding something.
Moreover, I can’t get over how Holly looked tonight. She seemed different. Like she’s scared of something, scared of Chase. I didn't miss the look they gave each other as she passed by in a rush. I need to make sure she’s okay.
Without giving myself a chance to think twice, I slip out of the bedroom, then out of my apartment.
Chase falling ill turned out to be a stroke of fate.
This way, he doesn’t have to know I ever left.
* * *
Iwas on this street not too long ago, and the steps still feel familiar to me. I have to remind myself that I’m not going to the club to work, I’m there to check on someone. For answers. But it still doesn’t stop the guilt from creeping in and being a nuisance.
I’m keeping secrets from Chase again.
I freeze when I spot the front entrance, registering the police tape around the alleyway right beside it. It leads to the emergency exit of the club. Madam had it built in case the girls need a quick escape.
I duck under the yellow tape, tensing. While they might’ve gotten rid of the blood, the signs of a violent fight are still present. Smashed glass, splintered wood, claw marks across the dumpster, walls and signs. There are bullet holes in the wall right beside the door to the club’s emergency exit. Thankfully, I don’t find any on the door itself.
Entering, I pause, knowing my presence will raise questions. The other girls will wonder why I haven’t come to work. And I can’t just walk up to Holly with probing questions. There’s something strange going on around here. I’m being kept in the dark despite my brother obviously being a part of this. I need to find out what’s going on.
I hesitate in the shadowy corridor, wondering if I should go to the main room or wait outside Holly’s room.
“I’m sure it won’t be long.”
I flinch, withdrawing into the shadows as I hear her voice. Holly’s here! And not far away. I peek around the corner, watching as she walks toward a group of men. That in itself isn’t unusual. Men are the clients. She’s here to provide a service. But something’s off. Holly seems tense. And she’s holding a cell phone. What’s more, the men are watching it just as much as her.
Suddenly, it no longer seems like Holly’s usual night. Those men around her look like they’re keeping her there.
They aren’t waiting for her; they’re waiting for the call.
