Night Moves (The Night Songs Collection)

by Kristen Strassel

  “Neither did Ryder. Drake tricked the whole band into becoming vampires.”

  “He always was a bastard. I remember he did some political thing my dad poured a bunch of money in to, years ago. One of my friends and I wanted to meet him, and he didn’t have the time of day for us.”

  I smiled, always pleased when anyone agreed with me that Drake was a dick. But my heart still hurt.

  “I’ve never been happier than I am with Ryder. I don’t care what he is. I know that it might not last forever, but I want to enjoy it while it lasts.” I felt sheepish pouring my heart out. Hairdressers had a way of bringing that out in people.

  “Melanie, I know you got yourself into a bad situation, but I can tell you’re a smart girl. Just don’t let your emotions get the best of you this time.”

  I hugged Erin so tightly when she came to Taryn’s apartment; I thought I might break her in half. The break from my new life had lasted too long. It was where I belonged now. I missed everyone. Well, not Drake. Asshole.

  “I have so much to tell you about, Mellie.” Even her enthusiasm was refreshing. Taryn was nice, but enthusiastic was not a word I’d use to describe her. “Do you think the coast is clear for her to come back with me?” She asked the room.

  Joy made an unsure face. “There’s been surveillance here every day. I don’t know if I would risk it.” She dealt with this type of stuff all the time at the hotel, so her word was probably the one we should go on.

  “Crap. I stayed out of town for a few days extra, thinking they’d get bored and give up. What are we going to do?” Erin pouted.

  My heart sank into my chest. What were we going to do? Was I going to be stuck here forever? I wanted to live my life with what little freedom I had left. How was I going to see Ryder? Bringing me here hadn’t been a great idea. I probably should have hid somewhere away from Erin’s house. I couldn’t complain that much, I couldn’t have pulled this off on my own. And someone must have thought it was a good idea.

  Unless they wanted me to get caught.

  “Your hair looks great!” Erin smiled, noticing my despair. It did. Taryn had stripped away the cheap black dye. Now I had a chic dark chocolate shag with caramel chunks streaked throughout.

  I’d lost quite a bit of weight in the last few weeks and my clothes fell off of me. I knew Erin well enough to know she was thinking the same thing I was when she looked at me. The four of us sat in the living room and discussed Plan B.

  I LEFT the apartment on my own, and headed out to the pool area. I borrowed shorts and a top from Joy, a skimpy outfit that looked like pre-investment banker Melanie. We considered a straw hat, but it was dark out already and it was almost too obvious. I dunked my feet in the pool, ignoring a couple of late swimmers. I tried to look as relaxed as possible, with my nose in the romance paperback I still hadn’t finished, while I waited for Joy’s white car to come up to the gate.

  As casually as possible, I got up and dried my legs off, and joined her in the car. She pulled out of the complex and plugged in her GPS. “I’m going to drive around town aimlessly for a little while until I’m sure no one is following us. Is there anything you want to see?”

  “Anything! I’ve never been here before.” I was actually just as excited about the journey tonight as I was the destination. Both of us obsessively checked the mirrors, but it didn’t seem like anyone was tailing us. My heart pounded over the radio. I hoped someday I’d actually get to explore the city, but I didn’t fool myself into thinking that it was any more than a pipe dream.

  Joy weaved in and out of the side roads of the strip, trying to avoid getting caught in traffic. I marveled at the huge hotels, flanked by palm trees, water, and millions of lights. God, I just wished I could get lost in all of it, blend in with the thousands of tourists that milled around. I couldn’t be the only fugitive among that crowd. Vegas seemed like a city easy to get lost in, if that’s what you wanted to do.

  After driving in circles, Joy started to head away from the pomp and circumstance of the strip back into suburbia. She wove a jagged path until she reached a part of town that had hills and curvy roads. We must have been near the edge of the valley, judging from the landscape and the amount of time it took us to get there. I couldn’t see if there were mountains nearby in the dark.

  I practically floated off my seat from excitement when Joy pulled into a driveway and tapped a code that opened the security gate. We drove down a long driveway to a front lit stucco house with lots of windows and palm trees. I unbuckled my seatbelt and jumped out of the car almost before she brought it to a complete stop. I ran down the walkway like an idiot, and opened the door to a house I’d never seen without knocking.

  “Ryder!” I called out, not knowing where to go once I got into the house. The ceilings were high and my voice bounced off the walls.

  “Baby.” He came out from around the corner, looking tired and gray again but still beautiful. I jumped into his arms and let him swing me around. “I missed you so much.”

  “I never thought I’d get here. They were watching the apartment.” I felt a river of tears brimming in my eyes. I didn’t want to cry right now, not even happy tears.

  “I know. We worked it out.” He pressed his lips against my cheek as he spoke.

  “Where are the keys, Ryder?” I never even heard Joy come in behind me. She placed a set of keys down on the table near the door.

  “Oh, right here. Someone will be by tomorrow to pick it up.” He let me go so he could dig another set of keys out of his jeans.

  “Thanks. One of us will be home. Just have someone let us know when.” Joy said. I looked back and forth between the two of them, not sure what was going on. “I’m gonna head back.”

  “Thanks. For everything.” It sounded more like a question, since I was still a little confused.

  Joy shut the door without saying anything else.

  “What was that all about?” I asked.

  “We had someone bring that car there today so we could get you here without someone tailing you.” Ryder explained. “Joy took another car home.”

  “Have you ever met her before?”

  “Nope.” Ryder smiled.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “She’s Erin’s neighbor, and her girlfriend is Tristan Trevosier’s twin sister.” I explained.

  “I know. I’m sure it was arranged as a favor to The Mistress.”

  “You think? I thought it was because they lived next door to Erin.”

  “Nothing is an accident around here, babe.” Ryder smiled. “I’m just glad you’re here. If that was what eternity was like without you, I don’t want to be without you.”

  I thought my heart was going to explode. I fought the urge to push him down on the plush couch in the open living area that we appeared to be alone in, until I told him my news.

  “Taryn thinks the Rachel thing will take care of itself. I wouldn’t have to do anything. Talis won’t let her survive.”

  Ryder shook his head sadly. “Drake hasn’t forgotten. There have been a lot of arrangements made to get you here safe. He’s been hanging it over my head.”

  “What a bastard.” I hissed. Now I wanted to hit something. How could he spoil the night when he wasn’t even here? “Taryn thinks Talis’ thugs will take care of her.”

  “That’s where you come in.” Ryder smiled sadly. “Listen, babe, we’ll figure it out. I’ve missed you too much to stand here talking about Drake and some chick we don’t even know.”

  “Are we actually alone?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Welcome home.” He smiled and drew me back in closer.

  “How can you have a house with so many windows? Won’t that hurt you?”

  He shook his head, leaning down towards me, his hair grazing mine with the movement. “Look at the windows.”

  I turned my head slightly, not breaking contact with his body. His cool chest and arms wrapped around me like a blanket. I couldn’t see out the windows, because they were blacked out.

/>   “They aren’t really windows?” I smiled at the genius of it. “Did they build this house especially for you?”

  “People like me.” Ryder smiled. “We’re safe here. No one can see in. Nothing can hurt us here.”

  I wished that this could last forever.

  I’d lost count of the days that Ryder and I spent in our cocoon. It was truly paradise. Lazy afternoons spent cuddling, twisted in the sheets, long nights enjoying each other in every way possible. Ryder was actually a wonderful cook, a shame since he could no longer enjoy the fruits of his own labor. Thankfully I could. Any weight lost while on tour would surely be finding its way back to me.

  Spending the early evenings under the starlight floating in the pool with Ryder was the best part of the day. All the stress and tension my body stored from the last few weeks melted away. Neither of us brought bathing suits, and no one bothered to get one. That made our play fights and wrestling matches turn into something else quickly.

  “What time are the guys going to be here?” It was my turn to play hostess. Adam, Thomas, and Josiah were coming over to record. Ryder turned what had probably been meant to be a traditional office into a small, well stocked studio. It was the only part of the house he’d really taken the time to personalize, putting out framed photos of his girls. It wasn’t soundproofed, but we were far enough away from our neighbors not to bother them and I enjoyed listening to him work.

  “Any time now. Relax.” Ryder kissed me as I worked on cleaning up the house. It felt weird not to make any food for our guests, but hey, these guys didn’t eat. “They’re guys. They won’t notice a mess unless they’re ankle deep in rats.”

  “Eeww.” I whacked Ryder with my cleaning rag. “It doesn’t matter if they care or not, I care. Can’t have them think we’ve been doing nothing but lying around in bed since we got here.”

  “I’m perfectly happy with them thinking that. It’s not like we didn’t just spend a month together on a bus.” Ryder smirked, kicking clothes under the couch. “I’m sure Thomas has bought some sleazy hookers, and we’re going to have to hear all about it. I just hope they all lived to tell the tale.”

  A shiver went through my body. Ryder was so wonderful, and I felt safe here, it was easy to forget what he really was. I knew that I wasn’t enough for him, even though the color had returned to his skin, I knew he’d need to feed off more people. These vampires fed off of energy, and he tired quickly when there were no shows. He pulled energy from me, making me have to work extra hard minute to minute to do regular things. It was like living for two. I was tired and hungry a lot. Thank God Ryder seemed to know what I needed, or I probably would have wasted away to nothing.

  I wondered if it would be easier on me if I had his blood.

  “Hey, is this where the party is?” Adam’s voice boomed in the doorway. The guys hadn’t bothered to knock. They just walked in, bringing instruments and bottles of Venom for inspiration.

  Ryder gave everyone those weird chest bump guy hug things like they hadn’t seen each other forever. I guess after spending every moment together in tight quarters for months, a couple weeks away would seem that way. The noise level rose, as everyone roared with laughter almost at once.

  “And the bird, she didn’t look anything like her picture! I wanted a refund! That ought to be illegal!” Thomas finished his story.

  “Imagine, hookers with no morals.” Josiah laughed.

  “It is illegal, dude.” Ryder reminded him. “Come on guys, let me give you the tour.”

  It felt a little empty to have Ryder busy with all of his friends when all I had was him. He was more than enough for now, but I knew it was a recipe for disaster. I needed to be my own person.

  But that was impossible right now.

  “Anyone in the mood for a little girl time?” A voice I didn’t expect to hear came through the door.

  “Erin!” I squealed, and actually jumped up and down.

  “Surprise!” She hugged me back, practically catching me in midair. “Let’s put this in the fridge so it gets cold.” She waved a bottle of white wine back and forth.

  Erin followed me into the kitchen and watched me put the wine in the fridge. “This place is gorgeous.” She gushed. “I bet you’re having a blast. Is that a pool in the backyard?”

  “Do they make houses in Vegas without them?”

  “Not ones that I’d ever want to visit.” Erin laughed. “Let’s hang out back there.”

  We headed out to the backyard, only illuminated by solar lights. I took off my shoes and began rolling up my jeans so I could dunk my feet.

  I looked up to see Erin had taken off her shirt and was about to shimmy out of her jeans. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Getting in the pool.” She said like it was the most natural thing in the world. I was still bent over, hand on my cuff, mouth hanging open in shock.

  “All the guys are here.” I whispered loudly.

  “I know. How do you think I got here?” She laughed, now only wearing her belly button ring and her makeup. She pushed water at me, soaking my clothes and hair. “They’re busy. And they’re going to be drunk soon.”

  “I’m going to have to be drunk soon.” I headed back in the kitchen to grab the wine. Screw chill time, this was an emergency. And a job for ice cubes.

  When I returned, Erin was peacefully completing a lap in the pool, doing the breast stroke. Even though I brought us two glasses, I drank straight from the bottle.

  “Are you coming in? What I would do for a back yard like this. Instead I have to share with a bunch of stupid neighbors.” She waited for me in the shallow end on her knees so only her head was exposed.

  “Yeah, yeah. Have I mentioned what a horrible idea this is?” I pulled my shirt up over my head and undid my jeans. That was enough.

  “Actually, you haven’t.” She snickered. “Do you really want to ruin a pretty bra and panty set with chlorine? It will bleach it right out and make it funky. Now that would be horrible. Stop being a prude, Mellie.”

  “I am a prude compared to you.”

  Erin feigned shock. I was willing to bet this wasn’t her first drink of the night.

  “Fine.” I sighed, stepping out of my thong and unhooking my bra. I hurried into the water, ignoring the cold, and splashed her as hard as I could. She shrieked. “Happy now?”

  “Yes. There aren’t any rules here. Just be free.” She floated onto her back.

  “I wish I could. I’m stuck here.”

  “Oh, poor you, stuck in this beautiful house with your hot boyfriend.” She rubbed her fingers together. “I’m playing the world’s tiniest violin for you.”

  “Your place has to be nice. I mean, if it’s half as nice as Taryn’s, it’s gorgeous. How long have you known her?”

  “We both moved in about the same time. We were both out of towners, so we hung out quite a bit.”

  “So you know about her brother.” I wanted to know what Erin actually knew.

  “That hot piece of ass? Absolutely.” She whistled low, again missing the obvious shock factor. “Unfortunately, he goes through girls like most girls go through underwear. I don’t even think he looks at half of them.”

  “Is that how you met Drake?” I had to wonder why everyone was so willing to help me.

  “Actually, it is. He was at some party for Immortal Dilemma. No one was really paying attention to him. I didn’t care if Soul Divider wasn’t cool anymore, I’d been in love with him since I was what, thirteen? So I took a chance, and it paid off.” She looked so peaceful, happy, thinking of him. How did he have her so snowed?

  “Does he live in the city, too?” Hopefully he planned to spend his time off in Australia. As far away from me as possible.

  “He has a suite at the Alta Vista, for business purposes.” Of course he did. All business.

  “So he’s gone home to Polina?” I was embarrassed about the bite in my tone.

  “Yes, Melanie, he’s gone home to his awful wife. Are you happy
now?” She sounded so sad.

  “No, Erin, I’m not happy. I want better for you. I want you to have someone who thinks the sun, moon, and stars revolve around you.” That’s what she deserved.

  “So a best friend who kills people is better for her?” Drake appeared out of nowhere, sucking the light out of the moon. I screamed at the unexpected visitor, and then choked on pool water, like any worthy opponent would.

  “Sweetie, what are you doing here?” Erin spoke in a hushed tone. It was the harshest I’d ever heard her sound around him. “How did you know I was here?”

  “No one invited me to the party, so I invited myself.” Drake shrugged, grinning. “I own the house after all, you’re just staying here by my good graces, Melanie. Way to talk about the hand that feeds.”

  I seethed, not really having any recourse. I wasn’t self-sufficient right now. And again, Drake managed to catch me at my most vulnerable. With any luck, the guys wouldn’t have heard my scream over their music. But I knew that my luck was running thin.

  “Mel, are you okay?” Ryder stuck his head out of the slider. “Drake, is that you?”

  “Hey Ryder, there’s practice tonight?” He smiled and winked at us before he turned to Ryder. I wished I had enough strength to overpower him and hold his head underwater until…oh yeah, vampires didn’t breathe.

  “Um, yeah, come on in.” Ryder’s eyes were wide as he stammered.

  “What seems to be the problem, lovies? Oh, hello.” Thomas barged out once he realized what was going on in the pool. “The party is definitely out here, boys.”

  “Go back in the house, Tommy.” Erin sighed. “You’re such a creep.”

  “And you, Trixie, are a fine piece of ass.” Thomas practically salivated into the pool. I’d never felt more uncomfortable around a man in my whole life. “You too, Melanie. I don’t want you to feel left out.”

  “Not to worry, I don’t.” I sunk into the water as low as I could go. Adam and Josiah were both now out on the deck. I think they were so shocked to see Drake they didn’t even realize there were two naked girls in the pool.