Page 10 of Friends With the Monsters
I should have guessed he’d be going to the VIP section. His steps eat up the flight of stairs, and he bangs on the glass door separating the portioned-off section from the rest of the club. The wall is glass, letting everyone below know what they’re missing, but not allowing them entrance. I know it creates quite a bit of jealousy in the lower tier. I’ve partaken of that particular sin of envy a few times when the night is slow of a more filling fare.
Sean, another one of the bouncers I know, opens the door and immediately steps back to allow Gunnar entrance. Something about the man I shared a ride here with seems different. Earlier this evening at the house, I never mistook him for someone that was weak, even with his injury, but watching him shove past Sean, and the few other security men working the VIP section, is showing me that I might have misjudged him a little.
I settle myself on a stool about midway between the bar and the VIP area. It gives me a good view of the raised portion of the club without looking like I’m staring in that direction. As soon as I nab the empty table, a nice-looking guy comes into my line of sight. He dips his head to the open stool across from me in question.
I mull over the idea. Sitting here alone invites its own attention. If I let him sit, it might keep others from trying, plus it will provide a little cover for me so I can keep watching Gunnar.
“Be my guest.” I wave my hand over the table.
“Are you here alone?” is his first question. Creep.
“I have a few friends here.” Not a lie. I do. I actually try not to lie, ever. I don’t know if it comes with the same consequences as it does for others, but it does leave a bad taste in my mouth, literally.
“I’m Noah,” he lies, but I don’t tell him I know that.
“So, what brings you to my table?” I pretend to scan the bar, but I’m really just watching to see what Gunnar is doing.
“You looked lonely.” Another lie. I take a second to actually look at the guy. He’s good looking, and his hair is a light shade of brown, almost blond. He fills out his fitted, black dress shirt nicely, but Not Noah’s hands look soft, like he’s never known a hard day’s work. Huge turn off.
“So, are you?” Not Noah asks.
“Am I what, lonely?” I chuckle a little. “You mean am I looking for a hookup? Not tonight.” I make my final response hard, so he knows I’m not just playing hard to get.
“You sure?” he offers, like I’m passing up the offer of a lifetime. “I promise I’m better than whoever you’re waiting for.”
I give him my full attention then, letting him see just how disinterested I really am. “Not on your best day,” I tell him, while leaning over the table a little.
I feel someone approach my side. I look up to find Sean staring daggers at the man across from me.
“This guy bothering you?” I glance up to the VIP section to see another bouncer now working the door. Gunnar is standing with his back to me, his arms down at his sides. I can see how rigid his posture is from all the way down here. I can’t see who’s in front of him, but judging from what he said, I can assume it’s Vanessa.
“No, Sean,” I reply, dismissing his worries. “He was just leaving,” I address the man across from me. Not Noah lifts his hands and stands with no comment.
Once he’s gone, Sean places his hand on the back of my stool. “Why don’t you go up? You know we can keep a better eye on you up there.”
It’s so sweet that he thinks he needs to keep an eye on me, but tonight it just might serve its purpose. It will get me closer to Gunnar, and maybe I’ll learn why he’s here, meeting with Vanessa.
Chapter 4
“Walk me up?” I peer up at Sean from under my lashes. The tattoo near his temple scrunches up when his eyes crinkle.
“For you, anytime.” Sean pulls out the back of my stool as I stand, giving me more room to get around the table. He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me to the flight of metal stairs. “I’m surprised you’re going up. You always say no.”
“What can I say? You made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” I reach for the door, but Sean beats me to it. His hands are rough from use and hard work as he closes his fingers over mine. “Thanks.” I give him a grateful smile over my shoulder, thinking he’s going to head back down, but he follows me into the glass walled section.
Sean places his palm on my lower back again and guides me over to a small grouping of furniture. “Have a seat. Can I get you a drink?” I have the distinct feeling I’ve been herded instead of being rescued like I thought.
I narrow my eyes on Sean, not feeling nearly as happy with myself as I had. Sean doesn’t meet my gaze this time. I lean in and snag his wrist so he can’t escape. “Did someone send you for me?”
“What do you mean?” he inquiries, evading my question.
“Did someone send you down to bring me up here?” I focus on his face, so he can’t avoid me by giving me another half answer. It’s easy to lie with your words, but facial expressions and body language are harder to hide.
“It looked like that guy was bothering you.” Not a lie, but not the full truth either. What bothers me more is the fact that Sean knows not to lie to me. He knows I would know if he did.
I release his arm and look around, feeling much more exposed than I ever have. No one but my monsters know what I can do. I don’t see anyone I know other than Vanessa, even Gunnar has disappeared.
I unleash my senses, even though I’m full with Lindsey’s restrained vengeance. There are too many people, too many emotions, and too many beings to sort through to find any one person or distinguish between them.
