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“Something is going on,” I murmur as Mila hurries off stage. “Do you think there’s a fight going on that she’s trying to cover up? She said something to Layla.”
“This place isn’t exactly filled with upstanding citizens,” Draven smirks, his eyes beginning to move over the crowd, looking for hidden threats.
Layla continues to sing, but I can’t enjoy it as I watch Mila disappear into the back of the club. Hmm, not a fight, maybe something else? The last thing I want to do is witness a crime and become a liability, so I get rid of my bottle so my hands will be free.
“Let’s get closer to the stage,” I say just loudly enough for Atlas to hear me. As we move, Draven follows on instinct, as does Tyler. I think he can tell we’re on edge, and his eyes stay on Layla.
As much as I’m trying not to be pulled into her orbit, I can’t help it as she jams to the music as she plays. She can handle an acoustic guitar just fine, and couples dance as she sings. There really is something magical when Layla gets on stage. Even her sister noticed the first time she saw her, when Layla opened forThe Darkest Nights.None of us knew they were sisters at the time.
Damn. So much history in so little time. I would love to say it’s all water under the bridge, but it’s not. The water is murky and turbulent when it comes to Layla, Atlas, and I.
As she finishes her third song, the crowd whoops and hollers, and Layla carefully looks over my shoulder. Turning slowly, I see Mila give her a thumbs up. Suspicious as fuck.
“Mila just told me to wrap it up, and she’s the boss,” Layla says, lying through her teeth. I don’t remember her being this cool and collected or such a good liar. Who the hell is this girl? “Thanks for giving a girl such a warm welcome. This is the first time I’ve ever sung in a bar in front of people.”
She’s gracious as she waves and slowly moves off stage as the crowd bemoans the fact that she has to leave. They have an hour or less before the last call sounds. I’m sure they’ll stay occupied somehow.
Tyler meets Layla at the bottom of the stage steps, holding out his hand to help her down. He doesn’t treat her as if she’s made of glass, but still shows he can be a gentleman. Atlas, Draven, and I are rough and tumble guys who don’t do any of that shit.
Another reason we would have never worked out.
Layla and Tyler make their way to us, smiling and chatting with people as they walk toward us.
“Time to go, now,” Tyler grits out of the side of his mouth as he passes us.
Shit.
Wondering what the fuck is happening, I move ahead of them, carving a path for us. People jump quickly out of the way even as they tell Layla how amazing she was, and somehow that burns a fire inside of me. We’re officially stuck with her.
Unless we drive her out, that is.
LAYLA
Mav surprises me as he helps us leave the bar. He has amazing instincts, so even though he doesn’t understand the specifics, he still can read the room enough to know that it’s time to fucking go.
Smiling, I wave at the bouncer as if nothing is wrong as we walk into the crisp air.
“Spill, chick. What the hell was all of that back there?” Draven asks once we’re clear of the claim.
A shudder moves down my body as I remember Mila’s words. “There’sbeen a murder and we need to clean it up. Be a good girl, keep your mouth shut, and keep them all occupied.”
“Mila is really fucking scary,” I mutter, shaking my head. Swallowing hard, I wrap my arms around myself. “She came up and told me there had been a murder and I needed to keep everyone occupied while they cleaned it. Mila’s signal to get the fuck out of there was her thumbs up.”
“Fuck me,” Mav whispers, shaking his head.
“Not my job,” I respond automatically. Is this what it feels like to crash from adrenaline? Lennon has described it feeling twitchy and shaky, and that’s exactly how I feel right now.
“Ha ha…” Atlas begins to say before he looks over at me. “Hey, are you okay, Layla?”
“Yep,” I say shakily. “I think Lennon said sugar was good for this.”
“For helping to cover up a murder?” Mav asks with a snort. “I guess things really have changed a lot with her.”
“Adrenaline crash, you dicksicle.” My boyfriend sighs as he puts his arm around me. The familiar tattoos that peek out of his sleeve help ground me. I don’t feel so hot right now. “How do you feel about soda, Baby Girl? Will that work?”
“Mmhmm,” I tell him as I blink rapidly. I’m not even really upset, but it’s been a long ass day, and I’m done with today.
“Are the tears part of the crash?” Draven asks carefully, looking as if I may break.
