by Rita Herron
"No." Lucy's head bobbed as she shook it, but her eyes teared again. "Don't worry so much, Soph; everything's fine, just fine."
Sure it was. Then why did her sister look as if her best friend had just died? Other suspicions took hold. "Lucy, you did make Garrison promise to keep my identity quiet, didn't you?"
"Of course." She grabbed a bagel and started toward the door. "I'm going to hop in the shower; then we'll head to the club and practice."
Sophie nodded. "Sure. I'll shower after you. I have a feeling I'll need some extra stretching, or I'll be so sore tomorrow I won't be able to move."
Lucy disappeared into her bedroom, and Sophie snatched a bagel for herself, uneasiness stealing through her. For some reason Lucy had been lying to her. But why?
They had never kept things from each other in the past....
* * *
When the shower water kicked on, Lucy let the flood of tears fall. She hated lying to Sophie, although technically she wasn't lying; she'd simply omitted a few truths. But Sophie would find out soon enough, unless Lucy thought of some way around it. Still, there was no need to admit up front that she'd made a complete fool of herself over Reid, or that he was here and he knew about the act... except that he would probably tell Lance, and then Lance would be upset with Sophie, and Sophie would hate her.
How had everything gotten so mixed up?
Her nose clogged, so she inhaled through her mouth, heaving with the mountain of tears welling in her chest and spilling over. She'd meant only to help Sophie by using those spells and charms—to save her from making a mistake by falling for Lance when he was so serious. But her spells had backfired, and now Lance and Sophie were all over each other. And she was alone, exactly as she'd been afraid she'd be. Worse, when Lance found out about Sophie they might break up. Then Sophie would be alone and miserable, and Lucy would be alone and miserable, and Sophie would never forgive her.
Unless she'd been wrong about Lance, and he really loved Sophie.
Then again, if he was anything like Reid, with all his judgmental macho-ism, he would hate the fact that Sophie had once been the Virginal Vampiress. He'd go off on her just as Reid had Lucy and think she had been a loose woman just because she danced, when dancing brought in good money. Heck, they had been two teenagers on their own, desperate and broke. And damn it, they hadn't been hookers or given lap dances. They hadn't even gone topless—and they could have made a killing if they had.
Any way around it, Lance would break Sophie's heart, and it was all Lucy's fault because she had fallen for that creep Reid Summers. She hadn't been able to resist when he'd said he'd come to Vegas to see her, and that she was his fantasy woman. And mercy, she had wanted to see if he really was better than her Sleepover, Inc., products, and dag-nab it, he was. But now she knew he'd meant The Virginal Princess was his fantasy woman, and although she hadn't been loose, she also wasn't exactly virginal herself.
Good gracious, she'd grown up in Vegas—how could she be totally innocent? And what man in the twenty-first century actually expected a woman to be a virgin?
A backward caveman Savannah boy, that was who. Not the man for Lucy Lane!
She and Sophie would both be better off without those insufferable Summers men.
Grabbing a towel, she dried off, wrapped it around her head with renewed resolve, and pulled on her robe. Her reflection caught her eye, and she grimaced. It would take a pound of makeup to cover up those dark circles and puffy red eyes. She hurried toward the refrigerator to find some cold cucumbers to press on her eyelids to stem the swelling. And then she'd find a couple of lucky charms for her and Sophie to wear tonight. They were going to need them.
After all, the show had to go on.
Now if she could just keep Sophie away from Reid for the next twenty-four hours; then she'd explain to Sophie what had happened, and how everything was going to be all right.
Really it was.
That was, unless she didn't have any cucumbers, and Reid showed up at the apartment before the show, or he called Lance....
* * *
By the time Lance reached Vegas and the Palace, his stomach felt as though a fist had clutched it.
He regretted the trip. Then again, he regretted not asking Reid to spill this big secret over the phone, regretted not calling Maddie, regretted not trusting Sophie, regretted trusting her, regretted falling in love and having this sick feeling in his chest now, regretted that no matter what he did, he had a bad feeling tonight was going to get worse. Because Sophie would hate him for coming and not trusting her...
Blast it all to hell and back—he was an effing mess.
"Here you are, sir."
Lance paid the taxicab driver, jumped out, grabbed his overnight bag, and dashed up the steps. He'd been too discombobulated on the way from the airport to appreciate the magnificence of the city's architecture, but this hotel was stunning in its size and opulence. He read the glittery marquis: The Palace Proudly Presents The Infamous Diva Act: The Virginal Princess And The Virginal Vampiress.
Hmm, if he weren't so nervous over this meeting with his brother, he might like to catch a show. After all, he'd never been to Vegas.
Where were Sophie and Lucy? At the hospital with their friend? At her house?
Or had Sophie lied about that?
He walked through the revolving door, taking in the decorative ceilings, elaborate decor, and bustle of guests, but he was too anxious to note the details. He quickly checked his bag with the bellhop and told him to send it to Reid's room, then studied the floor plan, amazed at the size and variety of services offered in the hotel, as well as the different dining areas, workout room, bars, and photographs of the showroom.
Reid had insisted they meet at the bar—a drink to cushion the blow—so he stalked toward it. His brother sat on a stool staring into a half-full bottle of imported beer, looking miserable. The fist in Lance's stomach tightened.
Taking the stool beside him, he patted his brother's back. "You look like the world just came to an end."
Reid gave him the most pitiful hangdog expression Lance had ever witnessed.
"I'm sorry, man."
"What do you have to be sorry about?"
"For coming here." Reid dropped his head forward, picked up his beer, and took a sip.
"You wanna tell me what happened?"
"Not really."
"Then what am I doing here, Reid?"
Reid dropped a few bills on the counter and motioned for Lance to follow. "There's something you gotta see. Then we'll talk."
Lance frowned, but he followed him, surprised when his brother led him to the dinner/dance showroom. Reid had reserved a table near the front in the right-hand corner. Guests filled the room, the lights dimmed, and the music began for the first show.
"You wanted me to come out here to see a burlesque show?"
"It's not exactly burlesque."
"I don't get it."
His brother dropped into the chair, and Lance took the one opposite, annoyance mounting at his brother's cloak-and-dagger routine. "You're acting strange; why don't you just tell me what this is about?"
A waitress appeared wearing a skimpy little bustier and took their drink orders.
"Reid?"
"Shh," two older ladies next to them said. "The show's starting."
The main houselights went down, and suddenly dancers in various stages of dress or undress appeared. The sea of multicolored costumes complete with huge feathered-and-beaded headpieces, feathered wings, boas, thongs, and sparkly and sequined adornments made Lance's head swirl.
"Just watch; you have to see the Virginal Princess and the Vampiress."
Lance accepted the beer from the waitress and focused on the show. The music, singing, and dancing were unlike anything he'd ever seen, the dazzling costumed girls spinning and shaking and gyrating. Then a white carriage appeared, and out stepped a gorgeous redhead in a long white costume that sparkled with at least a thousand jewels.
O
n the opposite side a black carriage appeared, and out poured another seductress wearing blood red, except for the long blond curls.
Between them a man dressed in black leather with chains and whips appeared and summoned the Virginal Princess. The rest of the act was a song and dance between the three characters.
Lance was in shock.
The man was played by Sophie's old friend Peter, and if he was correct, Lucy was the Virginal Princess. "It can't be," Lance muttered.
"You recognize the Vampiress?" Reid asked in a thick voice. His brother's face had turned a ghostly white.
Lance frowned and squinted, trying to discern the face behind the heavy makeup, wig, feathers, and mask. It wasn't until the Vampiress bent to suck the blood from Peter that her head pivoted up slightly and recognition dawned. Those green eyes. "Oh, my God. Sophie's a vampire."
"I know," Reid said in a dark voice. "She and Lucy are the famous Diva act."
Amazement. Shock. Jealousy. Hurt. Anger. Betrayal. The myriad of emotions bombarded Lance at once, nearly suffocating him.
He barely found his breath. When he spoke, his voice sounded as if it were coming from far away, from someone else. "You... knew when you came here?"
"No," Reid said in a solemn voice. "I... Lucy and I had a run-in at home. I found this stupid spell book. She does these charms and spells, and she put one on you to try to break up you and Sophie."
"She did what?" Lance tried to drag himself from the sight of Sophie sucking at Peter's neck, that feathery costume billowing around her nearly naked body. The other men in the audience were just as mesmerized.
"I told you, she's a kook; she cast a dumb spell. When you said Lucy called Sophie to come here, I figured she had some scheme planned again, so I flew here to try to stop her." He swiped a drop of sweat from his forehead. "I never imagined this, but, well..." He waved his hand around the room, gesturing at the festive atmosphere. "A waitress told me Sophie used to work here, too. Then today I saw her sneak in here to practice with Lucy." Reid turned to him. "I'm really sorry, man. I didn't know what to do, but I figured you had a right to know."
"Yeah." Lance nodded, still dumbfounded and glued to Sophie's behind twitching and swaying in that red lace. His heart was breaking into pieces.
"But Sophie should have told me."
* * *
Sophie stood, clasping Peter's hand to bow to the audience, with Lucy on his opposite side, her gaze scanning the audience. They were clapping wildly, reminding her of her past life. Then a man in the corner lurched to his feet and her breath froze.
Lance?
Peter whispered for her to take a bow, but she was paralyzed. The rest of the audience jumped to their feet, adding to the enthusiasm, but she couldn't drag her eyes from Lance and the sickly expression on his face. He looked wounded, completely and utterly shocked.
She had to talk to him, make him understand.
She turned and ran, leaving Peter in the center waving to the crowd. The audience began to cheer, chanting for an encore by the Vampiress, but tears blurred her eyes and she was trembling all over, stumbling through the crowd of dancers backstage to reach the side door to the front. Dizzy with fear, she pushed past the audience, fending off people greeting her, wanting to shake her hand, men trying to paw her. She saw Lance standing ramrod straight, but when a middle-aged man grabbed her and pulled her toward him, Lance catapulted forward. Sophie recognized the man as the talent scout who'd come to Savannah, and her legs buckled. Her entire world was spiraling out of control....
Lance shoved the man away, took her by the arm, and dragged her toward the back of the crowded room. The bouncer stepped forward, and Deseree, of all people, suddenly appeared, looking concerned.
"Honey, are you all right?" she asked.
Peter appeared with Lucy in tow, and then Reid dashed over, forming a circle around her.
Sophie was crying now, trying to catch her breath, wishing she'd grabbed a robe to hide herself from Lance's condemning eyes. "I... Lance, please let me explain."
"Why didn't you tell me?" His voice was hoarse with emotion.
She'd made a terrible mistake in keeping her past a secret. She couldn't escape it.
Secrets always came back to haunt you.
"What's wrong, Sophie?" Deseree asked. "Do you need us to throw this man out?"
"No, Deseree," Sophie whispered.
"It's okay, Mom," Lucy said. "He's Sophie's friend."
"Deseree is your mother?" Lance asked.
Another lie—she read the accusation in his eyes.
She heaved a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, Lance, but this was my past. I didn't think it mattered."
"Past?" He intentionally glanced at the French-cut costume and her bare belly, then to the low-cut top that amplified her cleavage. "You mean your second life?"
"No, it's not like that," Sophie said in a squeak. "I'm filling in for a sick friend—remember I told you one of Lucy's friends was pregnant and she couldn't perform—"
Lance's expression went cold. "You can stop with the lies."
"It's true."
"You have to believe her," Lucy said. "I begged Sophie to fill in, but she didn't want you to know."
"I can see why," Lance said in a biting voice.
"How did you find out I was here?" Sophie asked.
"From me," Reid piped up. "I came here to see Lucy."
Sophie turned to Lucy, hurt and bewildered. "You knew he was here, Lucy, and you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't realize he'd called Lance," Lucy said. "I thought I could fix things."
"Like you tried to fix it so they wouldn't be together?" Reid said.
Lucy glared at him. "Stay out of this, Reid."
"What is he talking about?" Sophie asked.
"She cast one of her charm spells on you and Lance because she didn't want you to be together."
"Lucy, is that true?" Sophie read the answer in her sister's eyes. "But why?"
"I didn't think he was the right man for you."
"They're both liars," Reid said. "Tell him about the seven rules to trap a man." He shot an angry look at Sophie. "Lucy told me all about how you were playing this game to trap him."
Sophie gasped and turned to Lucy again. "Why would you tell him that?"
Lance's hands knotted by his side. "Really?"
"No," Sophie said, pleading now and reaching for him. He jerked away from her touch as if it pained him to be near her. "Those rules were a joke; Maddie was teasing about them—"
"So my little sister was helping set me up? 'Let Lance play the fool'."
"It wasn't like that at all," Sophie cried.
"Yeah and you've never been a call girl either, huh?" Reid said.
Sophie started to defend herself, but saw the crushed expression on Deseree's face and remained silent.
Deseree spoke up instead, her tone all fiery and motherly. "No, she hasn't, young man. And you'd better not insult her again or you'll deal with me."
Reid looked properly chastised, but Deseree clutched Peter's hand. "I think we'd better go."
Sophie's heart splintered in two. In spite of Deseree's past, Sophie loved her.
She turned to Lance, pleading for forgiveness. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my dancing. But I was afraid it would make a difference." Her heart sank at his closed expression. "And judging from your reaction, I was right."
He hesitated, that wounded look returning, mixed with anger. "You should have given me the chance."
Her old insecurities rushed back. Children chanting ugly words about her and her mother. The times she'd been too embarrassed to ask a friend to visit. Her dreams of starting over in a new place where no one knew.... "Why, so you could break my heart?"
"You don't get it, do you, Sophie?" Lance's voice dropped to a thready whisper. "The secret dancing life aside, the thing that hurts most is that you didn't trust me enough to confide in me."
She couldn't lose him, not now. "But I love you, Lance. I've loved you for a lo
ng time."
He shook his head. "No, if you'd loved me, you would have trusted me and told me. You wouldn't have let me find out like this."
He stared at her for a strained heartbeat, then whispered good-bye and walked into the crowd, disappearing from her life.
Chapter 21
A cold numbness settled over Sophie as she and Lucy drove back to Lucy's apartment.
"I'm so sorry," Lucy said in a low voice. "I never should have begged you to come here."
"It's not your fault," Sophie said. "Lance was right. I should have told him."
"But look how he acted when he found out." Lucy slapped the steering wheel with her hand. "He and his brother are both sexist pigs."
Sophie laughed sardonically. "You really like Reid, don't you?"
Lucy's stunned gaze swung to Sophie. "Like? He's the most despicable, infuriating, judgmental man I've ever known. I say good riddance."
Sophie propped her head on her hand and studied her sister. "I still haven't figured out why you cast a spell to try to keep me and Lance apart. You knew he wouldn't understand, didn't you?"
Lucy bit down on her lip. "I... I didn't think he would."
Sophie nodded, and Lucy guided the VW into her spot at the apartment complex. Weary and numb from pain, Sophie hauled herself up the steps, then went straight to the extra bedroom. Lance's shirt lay on top of the faded pink-flamingo bedspread, where she'd lovingly placed it this morning.
She picked it up, pressed it to her face, and sniffed his aftershave, savoring his scent. Tomorrow, when she got home, she'd wash and iron the shirt and send it back to him.
If they were going to make a break, she needed it to be a clean one.
But one last time, she undressed and slipped her arms into the soft worn fabric, then crawled into bed and tried to remember what it felt like to have Lance hold her and make love to her.
Even if the shirt had to be returned to the owner, her memories would be hers to keep forever.
* * *
Maddie had barely snuggled back into Chase's arms after making love when the phone rang. Knowing her brothers were out of town always made her nervous, so she grabbed the phone, laughing when Chase tried to pull her back down under the covers. She batted his hands away.