True Sacrifice

by Amanda Mackey

  I couldn’t bring myself to call like Char had advised. I didn’t want another knock-back from him. I didn’t want to seem like I pushed or chased him. I just wasn’t that type of person.

  At eight o’clock sharp, a car pulled up out front and a knock sounded at the door. Checking the peephole confirmed that Char had come for me.

  Dressed in my sexiest black dress with three inch heels, I’d tousled my short hair as best I could and applied plenty of concealer and foundation to my face. My lips I’d painted in a cherry red. It felt like I’d gone way over the top but tonight had ‘new beginnings’ written all over it.

  “Holy crap!’ Char squealed, embracing me and forcing me to spin around. “I’ve never seen you look so hot! You’re going to have men all over you wearing that.”

  “Ah, yeah. Not letting drunken hopefuls fawn on me all night. I just needed to dress up a bit to help make myself feel better. After looking like someone’s punching bag all week, it’s nice to feel half-human again. Plus, I need to get on with things and start over.”

  “Damn straight you do. Not let’s go hit the town!”

  Nerves clung to me as we parked and walked a block toward one of the latest clubs to open. Rave was meant to be the hippest club in Ann Arbor, and had been drawing in the crowds for the last month, or so the tabloids had led us to believe.

  The queue out the front extended to the end of the block, so we tagged on the end and waited our turn.

  Char had dressed in a sexy, low cut white strapless dress that barely covered her backside. I’d never seen this side to her before, but I’d always guessed she had a wild side. After my night of indulgence downing a whole bottle of wine early on in the week, I had no intentions of getting plastered again. It had taken me the better part of the week to gather any energy whatsoever to go out. Not to mention I was still healing.

  Her hair was piled high in a messy yet flirty bun. She seemed to be able to pull off the vixen look way better than me. Her eyes were smoked up and popping and I just knew she’d be on the prowl tonight. I could see me driving her car home with or without her later.

  It took around half an hour to get to the front of the queue, where a king-sized guy who probably ate steroids for breakfast nodded us both through. We were past the ID stage. I guess working long, stressful hours in a hospital could age you beyond your years.

  Walking into the darkened foyer, thumping music shook the walls. A receptionist smiled at us and stamped our wrists.

  “Wow, this place is packed!” Char screamed over the pulsating music. Multi-colored lights flashed on and off over the dance floor as bodies writhed and moved in sync to the beat.

  “Let’s grab a drink and find a table.”

  Happy to let her lead, I followed, people watching as we walked.

  There were two levels, the second one overlooking the dance floor and seating area. Guys and girls stood holding the railing, watching the lower level, drinking and chatting. Luckily I dressed a tad risqué, as all the females were showing off plenty of skin.

  “What do you want to drink?” Char asked.

  Sticking to my non-alcoholic plan, I yelled, “Just get me a Coke. I’m still hungover from that bottle of wine you bought me.”

  Laughing, she ordered for us, grabbing herself a Cosmo and pulling me into the throng of bodies. I wasn’t totally comfortable being squished like a sardine, but I kept telling myself to loosen up and just enjoy the night for what it was.

  There weren’t any tables, so we hung to the side of the dance floor, finding a small clearing where we could stand.

  “Are you sure there wasn’t somewhere less crowded in town?” I asked, jerking forward when a guy tripped into me.

  Turning, he ogled me with red, unfocused eyes. “Oops. Sorry, doll.”

  Giving him the stink-eye, I waited for Char to reply.

  “Yeah, probably, but I wanted to see what all the hype was about. You okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just wish there were less people.”

  “Everywhere is packed on a Saturday night,” she replied, swinging her hips to an upbeat tempo.

  As I searched the dancers on the floor, a feeling of familiarity washed over me. As if someone I knew hovered nearby. A sensation of being watched. Shivers broke out over my arms and I pulled at my dress a little in an attempt at hiding more. It did nothing but cause me to spill my Coke on the deep red carpet.

  Char continued to swing her hips and get further into the groove while I stood awkwardly, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of my unexpected butterflies.

  Upon raising my gaze to the upstairs floor, I froze. The room closed in on me even further as I struggled to breathe.

  Standing against the railing in the far right hand corner and looking far more delectable than I’d seen him to date was Harley. Beside him stood Viper, whose gaze seemed to be fixated on Charlotte, who had no clue she was under scrutiny. Viper had a serious and pissed off face along with Harley, who clenched the railing so tight, I could almost see his white knuckles. As one of the flashing lights caught his face, it lit up his masculine features, enabling me to witness the masterpiece.

  A white collared dress shirt with long sleeves and the two top buttons undone sat atop a pair of fitted black pants. He wore the classy outfit well, and it hit me I’d never seen him dressed up before. He’d always worn Nick’s clothes at my apartment, and when I’d seen him last, he’d been in jeans and a tee. He’d look good in anything. I’d seen him in nothing at all and knew what lay beneath. The hard, sinewy physique. Arms to die for, and shoulders wide enough to cover me completely. Shivering, I found it hard to look away and it appeared the same for him.

  Just when I wondered if I could summon the courage to go and say hi, a dark-haired, big-boobed female sidled up to him, placing her hand around his waist. Breaking eye contact with me, he smiled at her and then laughed at something she said. My breathing stopped, my forehead creasing as I squinted to see if I was hallucinating.

  Nope. Her other hand came to his chest, remaining there as she stood way too close. His gaze flickered back to me only for a split second before he leant down and said something in her ear which made her laugh. I coughed, spinning away. I couldn’t watch. Not for another second. My stomach soured. My mood plummeted. Tapping Char on the arm, I said, “Do you mind if we move?”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  I really wanted to leave, but seeing my friend enjoying herself, I couldn’t do it to her when we’d only just arrived. “Nothing. I just don’t like standing here.”

  Giving me a weird stare, she shoved us around a bit more, pushing people out the way until we stood at the front of the dance floor. It still gave me a view of upstairs.

  “Nope. Not right here either.”

  “What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

  Downing my Coke, I walked off, leaving her calling my name.

  “Mac! Wait. Where are you going? What the hell?”

  Heading straight for the bar, I opened my purse that I’d hung over my shoulder and pulled out a twenty.

  “What can I get you?” the girl behind the bar asked.

  “Scotch on the rocks. Make it a double.”

  My heart thumped in time to the music and my hands were sweaty. What was he doing here? And with a bimbo? He didn’t take long to move on. A week, if that.

  To hell with him then. If I have to stay at the club longer, I might as well forget about drinking Coke all night and cut loose. Harley looked like he was enjoying himself with the brunette all over him.

  Char caught up with me, pulling on my arm. “Please explain, because you’re weirding me out here.”

  “Viper and Harley are here.”

  Spinning around to scan the crowd, she replied, “They are? Where?”

  “Upstairs.”

  Realization dawning on her face, she nodded. “Oh. We can go if you want.”

  She’d given me the out I had hoped for, but with my drink in hand, I
wasn’t going anywhere yet. And besides, he probably hoped I leave. That seeing him with someone else would push me away further. That’s what he wanted.

  “You know what? No. We’re staying. I have every right to be here.”

  “Atta girl.”

  Signaling the male bartender to our left with her arm up and a click of her fingers as if she were someone special, he made his way over. Handsome enough. Clean-shaven with a stocky build and buzzed sandy hair. “What can I get you, sweetheart?” he cooed, flashing a cocky smile.

  I watched Char flick her auburn hair in a flirty manner. She loved men and seemed to attract them like flies even though she still remained single.

  “Another Cosmo, handsome.”

  Ugh. Maybe I should go. Rotating so my back leaned against the bar, I did some more people watching, waiting on the buzz from my scotch to help me settle. Knowing Harley frolicked upstairs with the well-endowed hooker took up residence in my brain, even though I didn’t want it to. I’d come out to forget all about him, but how could I when I felt his very presence nearby?

  Char yelled in my ear, causing me to jump. “Watch my drink. I’m going to the ladies’. That first drink has gone right through me.”

  Acknowledging her with a nod, she left me alone. A rowdy dude stumbled across my path, grinning at me before sidling up to the bar beside me.

  “You look like you could use some company.”

  “Nope. I’m with a friend.

  Glancing around, he leered, “I can’t see no friend.”

  “She’s in the bathroom and will be back any second.”

  “Well, I’ll keep her spot warm then.”

  His eyes were bloodshot and pupils dilated.

  Turning my back on him, I took another long swig of my drink, hoping he’d go away. No such luck.

  “Hey.” His hand found my waist as he pulled me back toward him. “Don’t be like that. I could show you a real good time. You and your friend.”

  Oh hell no. Not happening.

  Placing my glass on the bar, I gripped his fingers on my waist and twisted them off, knowing I hurt him, but not giving a damn.

  “Ouch. Bitch. What did you do that for?”

  “I said no, asshole. What part of that do you not understand?”

  Giving him my best death glare, I strode away toward the bathroom, wondering why Char couldn’t pee quickly.

  After surviving a terrorist abduction, some random drunk dude in a bar would be a piece of cake to handle. Not that I knew how to fight, but my guard would be up for a long time to come when it came to men. Only one had the ability to weaken my defenses and he didn’t want me.

  When I turned into the alley to the restrooms, I spotted Char. Leaning against the wall facing Viper. They both looked to be in a deep discussion. She probably hadn’t even made it to the bathroom.

  Viper’s body language remained ‘standoffish,’ but Char overcompensated, leaning in to him and smiling. She liked him. No doubt about it. Not sure if the sentiment was reciprocated, but she’d do her best to make it so.

  Not wanting to cramp her style, I about-turned, not really wanting to go back out and face Mr. Handsy either. I took two steps and heard Char call out, “Mac! Look who I found. Come say hi.”

  My plan of avoiding either soldier was thwarted thanks to my overzealous friend.

  Stopping and taking a pause before facing them, I sucked in a deep breath.

  Offering Viper a half-smile, I narrowed the gap. “Hey. What are you doing here?” I knew he’d seen me watching Harley earlier, so I didn’t pretend to act surprised.

  “Same thing you ladies are. Attempting to put the last forty-eight hours behind me.” He watched me carefully. “Your face is healing nicely.”

  “Thanks. Makeup does wonders.” Although with the amount of bodies packed into the small club, sweat had probably wiped most of it off.

  Did I mention Harley to him? He knew I’d seen him. The way he watched me. Assessing. Curious. Waiting on the words to leave my mouth, Char glanced backward and forward, a slight smirk on her face, knowing me better than I cared to admit. “So. I’m guessing Harley has moved on.”

  Pushing off from the wall, he moved closer, reaching out to touch my shoulder. “Ah, yeah. About that. Listen, don’t take it personally. He didn’t come with her. And if I have anything to do with it, he won’t be leaving with her. He saw you downstairs and played up to her in an attempt to keep you at a distance. He’s seriously pissing me off with his bullshit, but I can’t exactly do much about it at the moment. He’s my friend and he’s been to hell and back. I don’t agree with him being a dick to you, and for that I apologize.”

  “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. Any of it.”

  I really like Viper. He had integrity, loyalty, and respect. Perhaps he would be good for Char, although it would remain to be seen if she could tempt him. So far he hadn’t given me any indication that he was interested in her that way.

  Only slightly appeased, I nodded, hoping he could eventually talk sense into his friend.

  “I, uh, better be getting back.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but didn’t quite get there and walked off with sympathy in his eyes.

  Char seriously stared at his butt, so I stood directly in front of her, cutting off her view and waving my hand in front of her face.

  “I wondered where you were. Some random drunk tried to hit on me as soon as you left,” I chuffed at her.

  “That’s because you’re hot.”

  “Ha. Why do I always seem to attract the wrong type?”

  “Oh you’ve attracted the right type, he just can’t pull his head out of his ass to give you a chance. I’m going to work on getting Viper to talk some sense into that boy.”

  “You heard him, Char. He’s leaving Harley alone just now. Giving him space to get his head together.”

  “Yeah, and in the meantime, you’re left unable to move on.”

  Not wanting to have this discussion, I changed the subject. “So what were you and Viper talking about when I arrived? It looked pretty serious.”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t nothing me, Charlotte Newberry. That wasn’t nothing.”

  Shifting her eyes multiple times from me to the space around us, she shrugged. “Just let it go. We were just talking, that’s all.”

  Fine. For now but I’d store it away for another day. Friends didn’t hide things and she looked guilty.

  “Come on. We came out to enjoy ourselves. Let’s forget about men and go dance.”

  Deciding I needed to immerse myself in the beat, I agreed, letting her lead me back out into the sardine can.

  Pushing our way through bodies, I made our spot a gap in the middle. We were practically chest to chest, but proceeded to move in our own unique ways, gradually pushing the people surrounding us back a little.

  Unable to help myself, I glanced upstairs and found Viper and Harley in what looked to be a heated discussion. Both men had their arms flailing about. I hoped it wasn’t about me, and that Viper had kept his word not to push Harley.

  Char must have noticed where my attention was at, because she yelled, “Two of the best looking males I’ve seen in a long time. Damn, even when angry they look delectable.”

  I silently agreed with her, refocusing on my own little space, unable to tear my mind away from the image of Harley naked and in my bed, before the abduction.

  A hot flush tore through me, causing me to swing my hips with extra gusto and raise my hands above my head in a sultry move.

  That man would be the death of me, but for now, I’d just forget about all the crap that had weighed me down of late and enjoy myself.

  It didn’t take long to get lost in the music. For the first time in ages, I let it carry me away. Sweat dripped down my cleavage but I didn’t care. Char and I writhed together and shouted out when a Coldplay song came on.

  “We need to do this more often,” I yelled.

  “Told you. Stick wi
th me and I’ll help bring out your wild child.”

  I didn’t doubt that for one second.

  Desperately needing a drink to rehydrate, I moved to tell Char, but didn’t get very far, A pair of hands latched onto me for the second time. Char’s eyes widened, causing me to glance back. Mr. Handsey found me. Shit. The jerk didn’t take no for an answer.

  “There you are, you little vixen. Thought you could get away that easily?” His bourbon breath wafted around me. It seemed to be leaching from his pores. He’d obviously downed more drinks. If I didn’t stand up to him and show him I meant business, he’d never leave. The sensation of his over-zealous hands anywhere near me turned my blood to ice. On instinct, I rammed my elbow back into his gut.

  I heard an ‘oomph’ as he stumbled back. Char grabbed me to move me away, but the guy steadied himself and morphed into pissed off real-quick.

  “Oh, you’re a real piece of work. You think you’re too good for me? You and your slutty friend? I know your type. Dress like whores and then when a man shows interest you act like you didn’t dress like that to get noticed.” He spat in my face. The last thing I needed was another mental douchebag threatening me.

  Char, unable to remain quiet, added her two cents’ worth. “Back away, asshole. Clearly my friend isn’t interested,” she fumed, crouching lower as if ready to throw a punch. After what I’d been through, she wouldn’t stand by and watch me get harassed without getting involved. I admired her loyalty. It didn’t matter that the guy probably outweighed her by ninety pounds.

  Tonight we were two women not to be messed with.

  The guy chuckled at my friend’s bravado. “A tough bitch, huh? I like that.” He swayed and took a step toward Char, momentarily forgetting about me.