Trevor gritted his teeth but didnt say anything else. Chad couldnt tell him to stay away from Envy, but letting her cool down was probably smart advice.
Fine, but that, he pointed at the club, is not a safe place for your sister to be hanging out and you know it! He jerked his car door open, forcing Chad to take a step back to avoid being hit by it. Slamming the door behind him, it took only seconds before he was burning rubber out of the parking lot.
When Trevor was far enough down the road so that Chad couldnt see his car lights, he grabbed his cell phone and tapped in the number to someone who owed him a favor. He pulled over at the closest store and parked behind a transfer truck so he wouldnt be noticed.
It frustrated him to leave her back there after the way Devon had looked at her. Even if Devon wasnt a murderer, that look was not a good thing. Chad thought he could strong-arm him when it came to Envy did he? Let's see how he likes it when he finds out hes the weaker one. Hed fix Jason too while he was at it.
Kat shifted deeper into the shadows when Chad turned and looked in her direction. She frowned, knowing it was impossible for him to see her he didnt have the night vision shifters did. She blew her hair out of her eyes and waited while he just stared toward her, then sighed when he finally turned and went back in the club.
So, Trevor was an undercover cop and Chads sister didnt know it obviously neither did Jason. The stickler was Trevor said he was here working on a case. Kat gritted her teeth knowing it had to be the murders. She needed to tell Warren to hurry and find out who was leaving a trail of blood before they got the blame.
*****
Envy slowly stood up wondering why Devon didnt just admit he was an owner and could very well hire her himself. She hated it when people lied to her, but she didnt know him and he didnt owe her anything, so she swallowed what she was about to say. Too bad it wouldnt stay down.
That was awfully fast, she looked at him expectantly, as she crossed her arms over her chest.
I put in a good word for you. Sometimes they listen to me. Devon watched her curiously, smelling her scent change. She was angry with him. It smelled good.
Maybe thats because youre the owner, Envys small smile vanished.
So that was why shes mad. She doesnt like it when she feels like someone is hiding something from her. Hed keep that in mind. Devon slowly dipped his head in a small bow, I am only one of the owners. Me, my two brothers, and my sister all own this club. We do try to run things by each other when we hire new people.
Envy glanced up at him suddenly feeling bad. Im sorry, I didnt mean to she gave up with a sigh and lowered her arms.
At least your taser stayed in your pocket, Devon smiled, hoping to lighten the mood.
Envy blushed and felt the need to get out of his sight before she made an even bigger fool of herself. Ive been working mostly in the afternoon and Im off tomorrow, so if she nervously informed him, as she kept the exit in her sight and started moving toward it before this became the shortest job in history.
Tomorrow night then, Devon opened the door for her, as she inched her way toward it. At seven.
He watched her run and let her go because he knew he could catch her if she ran too far. He closed the office door and turned to the monitor to watch her make her way around the outer rim of the dance floor toward the stairs. His eyes narrowed as one of the guys from earlier grabbed her arm to get her attention. Devon started toward the door but Kat slipped inside it before he could go after Envy.
That girl with the taser... Kat started but was cut off by a hard look from her brother.
Her name is Envy and you get to show her the ropes tomorrow night. I just hired her as a bartender. Devon crossed his arms over his chest, as he leaned back against the edge of the desk.
Put your claws away, Kat tilted her head when Devon glanced back at the monitor and tensed. Following his gaze, she smirked seeing Jason and Envy in the middle of the screen. My my, doesnt she just have a lot of admirers tonight. She knew it wasnt exactly true but she wanted to catch Devons reaction. She got her answer when the thin plastic on the back of the computer chair cracked where he was gripping it a little too hard.
Devon snapped his eyes toward Kat, Why are you in my office?
Kat just smiled at him. This was going to be so much fun. She walked over and pointed at the screen. This guy, his name is Jason Fox and I spent quite a while chatting him up at the bar before his two friends showed up.
Devon cocked an eyebrow at his sister waiting for her to get to the point.
Jason was the one that called her so she would come to the club. He actually asked her out. She smirked when the crack in the chair broke the rest of the way off in Devons hand. I dont know what she told him but Jason said, Then why the hell is Trevor making out on the dance floor with someone else?
So, hes the reason she showed up, Devon drawled, dropping the piece of plastic on the desk. Im sure you have a point here somewhere.
Yes I do, but its so much fun watching you squirm, Kat decided to get on with her story, when he gave his patented go-to-hell look. She was definitely going to buy the rights to that expression someday. Anyway, it was all a setup from what I heard. Her brother gave her the taser knowing she was mad enough to use it on her cheating boyfriend, but the truth is, Trevor wasnt really cheating on her.
What? Devon growled, not liking where this was leading.
Kat spent the next ten minutes filling her brother in on everybodys dirty little secrets. Just for kicks, she didnt forget to leave out the fact that Jason had a serious long-term crush on Envy.
Chapter 3
Jason pulled Envy into his arms, You owe me a dance.
He was so glad she wasnt the type of person that would shoot the messenger. If it werent for him, shed still have a boyfriend granted it would be a cheating boyfriend but then thats why hed made the phone call in the first place. Sorry, he whispered in her ear, as he pulled her tighter against him and started to move with the music.
Envy rolled her eyes letting him off the hook without a second thought. Nothing to be sorry for. She trailed her fingers down his spine as she moved against him. Im free again and I landed me another job in the process.
She smiled as she glanced around the dance floor again. This place is a little different from the clubs that Ive worked at but I think it should be interesting.
Jason didnt say anything for a moment as he felt the leather covering her breast glide across the front of his shirt and felt himself swell. He was glad she didnt know what she was doing to him because he had a feeling if she did know she would stop.
Want to come rock climbing Saturday morning? he let his hands trail down her sides then gripped her hips.
Rock climbing? That sounds fun. Its been a while, Envy nodded, then her eyes widened when Jason pulled her forward and she came in contact with something long and hard pressed against the softness of her belly. She gulped as her eyes flashed up to meet his.
Wheres Chad? she breathed, knowing shed done it again. She hadnt meant to. Jason had been and still was one of her favorite people in the whole world; the last thing she ever wanted to do was screw that up by sleeping with him. She loved him too much for that.
Wheres Chad? she breathed, knowing shed done it again. She hadnt meant to. Jason had been and still was one of her favorite people in the whole world; the last thing she ever wanted to do was screw that up by sleeping with him. She loved him too much for that.
Last time I checked, he was taking the trash out, Jason sighed when she pulled back from him. He placed his fingers under her chin and raised her eyes to his, Trevor doesnt deserve you.
Chad didnt really arrest him did he? Envy asked, grabbing Jason by the hand and leading him toward the steps. Shed avoided this conversation for years and she wasnt ruining her track record now.
No, I think being tasered was enough punishment that and losing you. Chad was just making sure he found his way to his car, Jason smirked. At the top of the stairs he noticed Chad was standing at the bar next to the door waiting on them. Keeping Envys hand in his, he led her in that direction.
The guilt was making Envys chest hurt. She really wasnt a mean person at heart, and what shed done to Trevor had been a very bad thing. It had only felt good for a moment and now that moment was gone. She kept her eyes lowered, too ashamed to even look at her brother.
Chad took one look at Envy and knew it was time to take her home. You ready? he asked, taking a step away from the bar.
I can take her home, Jason offered, then quickly added, If she wants to stay with me for a while.
Chad could see the hope flare in Jasons eyes and wondered if he was doing the right thing or setting their dearest friend up for a fall. He felt his phone vibrate on his hip and held up his hand, Hold that thought. Seeing that it was the police station, he worked his way toward the door so he could hear more clearly.
Envy blew her bangs out of her eyes, knowing as bizarre as this night already was, she had a feeling Chad had just been called into work. She watched him pocket the phone as he walked back toward them.
Will you be okay with Jason? Chad asked. When she nodded, he placed his finger under her chin and lifted it. You did the right thing with Trevor so chin up. I probably wont be home until the morning, so dont wait up.
Envy gave a small smile as he walked away. They had both touched her chin in the same way and told her that this was Trevors fault and not hers. She loved Jason because he was just like Chad and thats why she would never give into the knee-jerk need to date Jason for real.
Just as Chad left through the front doors, Jasons cell phone started buzzing. She turned and watched him as he answered, then frowned as his face turned serious. She knew he was on call this week and silently wondered if it was the rangers needing him in the middle of the night. In her opinion, that couldnt be a good thing.
When his eyes locked with hers, she could see his shoulders slump in disappointment.
Envy Im sorry, I gotta head out. Come on, Ill take you home on the way. Jason shoved the cell phone back into his pocket like it had become the enemy. Hed hoped to get a few minutes of alone time with Envy one way or the other.
Envy frowned because she knew that home was probably not the direction he was heading. Thanks for the offer Jason, but I think Ive caused enough problems for one night. Besides, I start working here tomorrow so Im gonna hang out and watch the bartenders. She shrugged and pasted an excited smile on her lips that made her face hurt, Who knows, I might even pick up a few tips while Im here.
Jason nodded reluctantly knowing he needed to hurry, Okay, but youve got my number if you need me.
Envy waved her hand at him, Yes I do. Now go to work. Work hard, make money, and take me out clubbing soon now that Im single.
Jason smiled brightly at her and quickly made his way out the door.
Envy let the numbness filter in, as her smile faded, then turned back toward the dance floor, looking it over again before heading to the bar. She slid onto one of the soft cushioned stools and leaned her elbows on the bar top.
She sat there staring down at the bar for several minutes before she noticed the clear surface rimmed with neon lights changed colors periodically. There were bits of some gray colored stones embedded in the thick Plexiglas that shone like they were covered in glitter. The glitter was mixed in with the Plexiglas in such a way that, if the lights were black, they would have looked like stars against a twilight sky.
A glass suddenly appeared in front of her with a long-fingered hand holding it. The nails were painted a pretty shade of red, with black slashes along the nails of the ring fingers, that looked a little like claw marks.
Envy looked up in surprise at the woman in front of her. She had long, slightly curly black hair and an exotic look that made Envy blink. She was beyond beautiful. Her skin was a warm bronze and her eyes were an odd shade of blue. Not the striking blue shed seen on Devon, but very close.
Its on the house. Kat said and pushed the drink a little closer. All bartenders get free drinks and my brother just hired you, right? she smiled, wanting to get to know the girl that had turned her brother's head so quickly. It wouldnt have been that big of a deal, but Devon never took girls seriously because he was surrounded by hundreds of them every night. But this girl had rattled his cage.