Chapter 2
Alicia
This new cop keeps giving me odd looks, and it feels as if he can see into my guilty soul. He’s one of those who live far away from our world so I shouldn’t trust him, I know that. Still, I don’t get the impression that he’s here to throw accusations around or assume we had anything to do with the body behind the club.
Too bad he would be wrong. Nothing happens here that isn’t meant to. Everything here is done for a reason and although they may be trivial matters to people outside of the club, they’re capital offenses inside. Once you step into the club, you are part of our world and a whole new set of rules comes into place. Our laws are punishable by death and the person currently bleeding out broke one of our most sacred rule.
Never ask too many questions.
Simple right? And yet there is always someone who does. Even I can’t always stop them from remembering and then we have real problems because blackmail is usually their go to move. Only Wendell doesn’t take well to threats and has a reputation of losing his temper at a drop of a hat.
Speaking of hats…
Hale sets his hat back on his head and gives the new cop one of his wild smiles. To his credit, the cop doesn’t flinch. Normal people find Hale’s smiles a creepy and cringe the second he flashes one in their direction. Not this guy, which makes me wonder what sort of things has he seen in life were a psychotic smile doesn’t scare him one bit. I guess he doesn’t recognize danger when he sees it or he has some sort of death wish.
“I understand this may be inconvenient for you, but this is a murder investigation, so we need to gather as much information as possible.” The cop says, trying his best to smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
Hale crosses his arms and shrugs. “Ask away then.”
“Do you recognize the person who was killed?” Detective King asks.
“We see a lot of people,” Hale says casually.
“Things get intense and it’s hard to remember faces.” Hale says.
“There isn’t someone who checks IDs who might remember them?” The detective asks and my body goes ridged.
“Alicia is the one that greets everyone.” Cree purrs and smiles my way.
Curse that fucking cat.
The detective looks my way and I do my best to school my features, but I’ve never been very good at hiding my feelings. He looks me over in one quick, smooth motion before focusing on my face.
“Alicia?” He asks and I nod. “Did you see the victim come into the club?”
Shit. What do I say?
I glance at Hale with a questioning look, and he shrugs casually. Asshole!
“I see a lot of people. All of their faces sort of become blurred.” I say, trying to sound casual and vague.
“Of course, but did you see an ID, perhaps?” He asks next.
Of course I had! I remember every face that walks into our club, not only because I can’t forget anything, but because I delve into their minds, too. I know too much about them, but admitting that means explaining how I know and that would be a deadly mistake to do. Not just for me, but to the cop as well, and he seems to be one of the good guys and doesn’t deserve that kind of death.
“I do, but it’s a quick glance to check their face and age.” I say.
He nods. “Thank you for your help. Please stay in town in case we need to ask more questions.”
“Don’t worry law man, none of us ever leave Wonderland.” Cree says with that extra purr at the end.
That asshole is going to make things worse with how he’s making all those cat sounds. If anyone is going to bring more attention on us, it's going to be him, but cats never listen. All they enjoy is messing shit up and doing what they please.
He’s not wrong though. None of us leave this place. Not because we physically can’t, but because we have everything we need inside our club and leaving means people asking questions about us. It’s too big of a risk and most of us have no interest in what goes on outside these walls.
“Thank you very much. You all have a nice day.” The detective says before catching my eye once more and then turning to leave.
I watch him walk over to a few cops dressed in uniforms and then he heads around the side of the building. Just before he disappears, he looks my way again and gives me another small smile. My face heats and I look away before he sees it.
“Come on, guys, we need to set up for tonight. I have a feeling business is going to be good.” Cree says with a smile.
He’s enjoying this too much.
“Yeah. Let's go.” I say and follow everyone back inside.
As soon as the heavy door is closed, Cree shifts and prances off toward the bar.
“Don’t you shed all over my bar, Cree!” Hale calls out before pushing past one of the Blooms to catch him.
There is a hiss and a curse, but I ignore it and head for the large red curtained doorway on the right side of the club. It’s only visible to us, and warded in case someone steps through. I pull the heavy suede curtain back and step into the dark foyer. I’m ready to get out of all this makeup and clothes and sleep for a few hours before starting all over again tonight. Before I make it, three steps in my body is slammed against the wall next to the entrance. The wind is knocked out of me and lips cover mine before I can suck another breath in. A strong hand slides up between my breast and wraps around my throat.
“Alicia.” My name sounds like a beautiful curse on his lips and the sound makes heat flush all over my body.
He has a way of making me want him from just the way he says my name.
“You little minx. I should punish you for how you acted.” He says before he licks the side of my neck and then bites.
I gasp and drop my head back against the wall. He pushes his body against mine, trapping me completely and I can feel him harden as soon as our bodies touch. We have an intense effect on each other that makes it hard to be close without ripping our clothes off.
“Hale.” I whisper, but it’s more of a plea.
“What is it, little minx? You want a reward for how you acted out there? I think not.” He bites my neck again a little lower and I shudder.
He loves branding me like this and I wish I hated it since it means I have to use about a pound of make-up just to cover it, but I love it just as much.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I say with a gasp when he grinds against me.
“You looked at that cop like you wanted him. Are we not enough for you? I think I need to remind you.” He takes my lips in a punching kiss and starts to untie the strings on the back of my corset.
I shiver with excitement and dig my fingers into his bare chest. “You’re enough.” I pant.
“I should hope so. You haven’t complained before, not until Cayden moved in.”
My head snaps toward the new voice and I smile. “If I remember correctly, he asked you for permission, and you agreed.”
Walker chuckles. “I do believe you’re right, sweet Alicia. Now both of you hurry. We’re late.”
I furrow my brow at him. “For what?”
He gives me a knowing smirk that makes Hale chuckle darkly.
“Right. Where is Cayden anyway?” I ask when Hale finally takes a step back from me.
Walker shrugs and moves closer to me, and tips my head up to look at him. His pale skin and white blond hair are such a contrast in this dark room, but it also makes him look almost angelic.
“Preparing for tonight. I’m afraid it will be just the three of us.” He looks at me and makes a very sexy sound of approval. “Come, little Alicia, I’ll help you change.”
He reaches down and takes my hand, pulling me away from Hale.
“You mean get her naked, right?” Hale calls out after us, making me break out laughing.
“Of course, brother, what would ever make you think otherwise?” Walker calls out over his shoulder.
“Good, because I need to punish her ass.” Hale slaps me on the butt as Walker leads me up the wooden stairs to the housing floor.
“No doubt she deserves it, but first, let’s clean her up.” Walker says.
“So we can dirty her again.” Hale adds.
“Naturally.” Walker says.
These boys are going to kill me.