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Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, my eyes looked hollow. There were bags beneath my eyes. My skin was pale. And I couldn’t summon my normal serene facade. The one I developed over the years to make it appear as if nothing and no one ever got to me. After this morning, I couldn’t find the strength to care how I appeared. Not when it felt as if my heart was bleeding out.
I wished I believed that ending things with Ben was the right call. But I felt like I’d been punched clear through the chest ever since I ushered a befuddled-looking Ben out my door. Except, I wasn’t certain it had been the correct move.
After he left, I laid in bed, smelling him, wishing he was here with me and feeling like my heart had shattered into a million pieces. I’d never loved anyone the way I loved him. It was terrifying how much he mattered. The thought of him being harmed or killed stole the breath from my body. And it’s why I had to send him away. I couldn’t allow that to happen, at least not over me. In the scheme of things, I didn’t matter all that much. But Ben, what he did, saved people. He kept our country safe. And he had to go on living no matter what.
Storm clouds were rolling in, muting the afternoon sunlight. Weather reports were warning residents to be careful out. It meant that tonight might be a dull one at the club. But I didn’t really care. For the first time since I bought the club, I didn’t care what happened to it. At least the weather matched my tumultuous emotions.
I finished applying mascara when the doorbell rang. I sucked in a swift breath. Ben.
Tater rose from his spot on the bathroom rug and raced into the bedroom, heading for the door. My heart lodged in my throat.
Had he returned? Hope surged inside me. If he was here, I would never let him leave again. What I did this morning was stupid. I’d apologize profusely and beg him to come back. Who cared about pride if he wasn’t with me?
Butterflies tumbled in my stomach as I descended the stairs. Tater stood by the front door, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and tail wagging in excitement. He searched for Ben after he left today. They’d bonded this past week too.
Yanking the door open with a sunny smile that froze on my face as disappointment swamped me. It wasn’t Ben. And my heart broke all over again.
“Aphrodite? What’s wrong, hon?” Tears streaked down her face, ruining her mascara. Her normally pale skin was blotchy with her upset. She had her pale blond hair in a messy braid. And she wasn’t dressed like usual either. She had on black cargo pants, a gray tank top, and a pair of Doc Marten army-style boots. What was going on with her?
With her voice trembling, she asked, “Moira, can I talk to you for a minute? I know you’re getting ready to head to the club, but—”
“Certainly. Come on in.” I ushered her inside without a second thought. I’d deal with the Ben situation later. I’d call him on my way to the club and tell him I was wrong. But first I needed to help one of my girls. “Why don’t you come into the kitchen? I’ll make some tea, and we can get to the bottom of what’s going on.”
Aphrodite sniffled and nodded with a tremulous smile. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
“It’s no problem. I don’t have long. I need to be at the club soon. But we can have a chat for a bit.”
In the kitchen, Aphrodite glanced around with an odd expression. Just what was going on with her? Had she gotten into legal trouble? Did she need money, or was she quitting? I’d hate to see her leave the club. She was a crowd favorite. But I had her sit at the kitchen table while I brewed some chamomile tea.
“So, tell me what’s going on.” I poured boiling water into the cup with the tea bag to steep. Then I set the tea kettle back on the stove and made sure the burner was shut off. I glanced at the time on the microwave. I had thirty minutes before I had to leave for the club. Hopefully it was enough time to get to the bottom of whatever was going on with Aphrodite.
A sweet-smelling cloth was pressed over my mouth and nose, and I gasped in shock. My brain tried to compute what the hell was happening. Strong feminine arms surrounded me and squeezed tight, trapping my arms against my sides. I jerked against their hold even as I heard Tater barking. But Aphrodite was much stronger than her willowy frame appeared.
“Hush, now,” Aphrodite murmured as I struggled against her. “I told you I was going to punish you, Moira.”
My eyes widened. Fear chilled my soul. I opened my mouth to scream even as denial shrieked in my brain. This couldn’t be happening, not like this. It had to be a trick and not ultimate betrayal eviscerating me. This entire day had gone completely off the rails. This had to be a nightmare. She tugged my body back, and my limbs grew heavier. I battled to remain conscious. But it was a losing battle. Blinking, I was barely able to keep my eyes open. As darkness descended, the last thing I saw was my stalker—Aphrodite.
* * *
At that club that evening, I waited for Moira to arrive. It was early yet, even for a Saturday night, but Moira was nowhere in sight. From what I had seen, this place didn’t really get hopping until after nine. We had hours to go yet.
“I don’t like this. Why isn’t she here?” I blurted. My spidey senses were alert. Something was wrong. Moira was never late.
“Could be she decided to stay home tonight,” Roman reasoned, trying to be encouraging. But then, he didn’t look like he believed his own statement.
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Dan Freemont’s name appeared across the screen. I answered, “Hey Dan, what’s up?”
“My officers and I are on the way to Susan Carmine’s apartment to arrest her. We got a match on the print. She’s one of Moira’s employees.”
“It’s a woman?” I hadn’t thought today would hold any more surprises. Not after Moira’s change of heart. But I’d been dead wrong.
“Yep. Ain’t it a kicker? Surprised the fuck out of me as well. I just wanted to let you know so you could be on the lookout. We should have her in custody here shortly.”
“Okay, thanks for the call.” Internal alarms blared code red. Every instinct I possessed bellowed that Moira was in danger.
“Something wrong?” Dan asked.
The guy was good; I would give him that. “Moira hasn’t arrived at the club yet tonight. I’m heading out shortly to go check on her.” Tension filled me as I glanced at the club entrance, hoping, praying she’d waltz through the door any minute with her take no prisoners swagger.
