by Kris Norris
Roman retreated, locking the door before searching for a place to hide. He ducked into a narrow locker beside the shelves, holding the metal frame closed as he peered out through the slats. Male voices sounded in the other room, footsteps echoing through the walls. The lock clicked a moment before a large beam of light lit up the room. It bounced around the space, never staying on any one surface too long.
“There’s nothing in here. That damn sensor must be acting up again.”
The beam swung toward him, damn near blinding him as it centered on the locker. He closed his eyes against the glare, holding his breath as boots clicked closer.
The scuffing noise stopped outside the locker door. “I’ve told Glade to get the damn thing fixed, but he keeps insisting his tech guys know what the hell they’re doing. Maybe there’s a mouse or something?”
The other guy laughed. “Right. A mouse in this place. Whatever… Let’s just lock up and check the other rooms in the wing, just to be sure.”
Two shadows moved past the slats, then veered off toward the door. The light made another circle of the room, flashing off the locker again before the men left, their idle chatter gradually fading. Roman waited a few minutes then slipped out, opening the door and darting into the other room. He didn’t waste any time, listening against the surface before cracking the slab open. More shadows lined the halls, but nothing sounded in the corridor.
He headed back the way he’d come, watching for the two security guards. He’d have to search the photographer’s suite later, after the guards had found something else to amuse them. Besides, he’d been nearly forty minutes. Time to ensure Aiden and Scarlet were still where he’d left them.
His stomach clenched. Still no fucking leads. And other than a kinky souvenir of their time here, he didn’t have much to show for his troubles. He only hoped Scarlet was having better luck with the ladies.
* * * *
Scarlet hissed out a breath, ignoring the way the Nick brushed his hands down her body as he repositioned her for the next shot. His fingers lingered too long against her flesh, and the way he grazed them across her nipples made her skin crawl.
She glanced at the other women, noting similar reactions from most of the ladies, as he moved down the line. Though a couple didn’t seem to care that he got more than a bit personal. Either way, the guy was creepy, though that didn’t necessarily make him a killer. But it certainly put his ass on the list.
“Okay, ladies, I want you all to smile.”
He clicked off a few frames, dashing back over to adjust her hat. He gave her a leering smile, palming her breast as he backed up, supposedly judging his work. She fisted her hands at her sides, and she had to curb the urge to kick his balls back inside his body. Fucker deserved it.
He returned to his camera, calling out instructions, praising their every move. She followed along, biding her time, waiting to strike up more conversations. She’d already approached Ms. July, Amber Watts. The woman seemed friendly enough but hadn’t shed any additional light on the murders. She seemed completely oblivious to the incidents, casually mentioning how unfortunate it was the other women had been busy.
Busy being dead.
Scarlet had kept that thought to herself, joining the others for more shots. Nick seemed to take an exorbitant amount of photos, the constant snap of the camera grating on her nerves. He’d already had two of the models remove their tops for some of the poses, and she knew the bastard would want them all topless, if not completely naked, by the end of the hour.
“Very nice.” Nick straightened from behind the tripod. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a sexy group of centerfolds before. Lord knows Glade can pick out the best tits and ass in the business.”
He flashed what Scarlet guessed was supposed to be a provocative smile their way, but it only made her skin crawl more.
He laughed, the sound more than forced. “Unfortunately, I got so caught up I’ve run out of film. I need to go grab some more. It’s just in the other room. You ladies hang tight and I’ll be right back.”
He made for the door, his pace almost rushed. The hairs on the back of Scarlet’s neck prickled as uncertainty settled hard in her gut. Something felt off.
“Wait, Nick.”
She darted after him, but the bastard didn’t even turn around when she called his name, closing the door firmly behind him. She reached it several steps after him, twisting the knob as she tried to yank it open.
“Shit!” She pulled against it, the inklings of fear clawing at her.
“Scarlet? Something wrong?”
Scarlet took a calming breath, turning to face the woman at her side. Sarah Tate was stunning, with copper-colored hair and big blue eyes. The girl put most of them to shame with her easy beauty and charming personality. And as Ms. October, she definitely made witches sexy.
Scarlet gave her a smile. “Everything’s fine. It’s just…the door locked behind him. And I’m not fond of being trapped in places.”
Sarah frowned, trying the handle as if Scarlet might have been wrong. “That’s odd. Though maybe it’s all part of their security?”
“Then you’d think it’d prevent people from getting in, not out.”
Sarah’s frown deepened. “I didn’t think about it like that. But it does just link to the other main section of the studio. Maybe this one locks from the outside automatically.”
Scarlet nodded. “Maybe.”
Sarah tilted her head, openly measuring Scarlet. “You know, you don’t seem like a model.”
“That so?”
“The way you carry yourself. The fact you rarely come to the sessions with any makeup on. And how you’re always observing everything as if you’ll need to remember it later.” Sarah shrugged. “You’re just not like the rest of us.”
Fuck.
Guess she hadn’t realized how ingrained her training was. She’d been professionally suspicious for so long, all those traits had become second nature. And she’d be damned if she’d turn any of them off. Her instincts kept her alive. And her suspicions prevented others from dying.
She gave Sarah what she hoped was a convincing smile as she worked up a story in her head. “I guess you could say I’m a bit more…on edge than you guys.”
She could tell by the way Sarah simply stared at her, the one line statement wasn’t going to sway the woman.
Scarlet leaned in closer. “Before Roman and I got involved, I was trapped in this abusive relationship. Guy was a fucking monster.” She raked a shaky hand through her hair, hoping the action would add to the authenticity of her story. “Anyway, when I was finally able to get away, I promised myself I wouldn’t knowingly become a victim again. Took some self-defense classes, learned how to gauge the risk of going into a room just by standing at the door. That sort of stuff. I suppose it shows more than I thought.”
“Does Roman know about this?”
She chuckled. “Why do you think he’s happy I welcomed Aiden into the picture? The man’s a lethal weapon in his own right.”
“He’s pretty damn gorgeous, too.”
“Isn’t he, though? And he’s sweet, if you can believe it.” She turned and rattled the door again. “He’ll also go ballistic if he discovers they locked us in here. Alone.”
“But there’s six of us. We’re not alone.”
Scarlet nodded, hoping her uncertainty didn’t show as she followed Sarah over to the others, fighting the urge to go back to the door and scream for Aiden. Not that he’d hear her being another room away, but… She took a soothing breath—most likely she was overreacting. Allowing her paranoia to get the better of her. Like Sarah said—they weren’t alone. Not the way this creep liked his victims. And Scarlet would give the asshole the beating of a lifetime if he thought he could subdue six women on his own.
Amber gave Scarlet the once over when she stopped next to her. “So, you have two guys now. Can’t say any of us saw that coming.”
Scarlet frowned. She didn’t like the accusin
g tone in Amber’s voice. “It works for us.” She turned then spun back. “And frankly, what the hell? You couldn’t see me having more than one lover?”
“Not because you couldn’t get a second one, or anything, but…” Amber shrugged. “You’re…different.”
“How?”
“You’re cautious. Intense. And you and Roman never participated in any of the games before. Honestly, I had you pegged as the undercover cop they said had infiltrated the estate.”
“Funny. I thought it was Ms. February.” Scarlet kept her expression fixed. “And we participated just the other day.”
“So you did. And can I just say your newbie…Aiden…” She fanned herself. “Guy is hot.” She arched her brows. “So, do the men…”
“Play? Oh, yeah.”
“Damn.” Amber sighed. “So you’re not the cop?”
Scarlet grinned. “Do you really think I’d tell you if I was?”
Amber laughed. “I suppose not.”
“Look. If there is a cop undercover in here, I’m sure he’s just trying to keep us safe. You know, so we’re not exploited or anything. Attacked.” She rubbed her hands along her arms. “I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes I get the feeling I’m being watched.”
“Maybe because we are. All the time.”
“I don’t mean the games. I mean, other times. Like there’s someone hiding in the shadows.”
Amber’s bravado faltered. She glanced around the room as if checking to see who was listening before leaning in. “I get that, too. At least, I have for the past couple of days. But every time I turn around, there’s no one there.”
“Are you sure? You haven’t noticed anyone near you when you get those feelings?”
“No one that shouldn’t be there. I’ve seen some of the other models close by at times.”
“Which ones?”
“I don’t know…Mary, Ms. September, maybe. Ms. November a few times. But I never catch them staring at me.”
Scarlet squeezed the woman’s shoulder. “Just do me a favor and trust your instincts. They don’t usually lie.”
Amber frowned, giving her the once over again when Sarah stepped in.
She wrapped her arm around Scarlet. “Scarlet was in an abusive relationship before Roman. That’s why she’s so paranoid.”
Scarlet grinned her thanks. “And that paranoia is the reason I’m still alive and with Roman and Aiden instead of that manipulative bastard.” She nudged Amber. “If you feel like that again, make a mental note of what or who’s around you and let me know. I can have Aiden chat with anyone who’s worrying you. He’s pretty intimidating when he wants to be. Might be able to scare some creepy gawker away for you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She took a few steps away, glancing back at Scarlet. “Are you sure you’re not…”
The door opened again. Nick strode confidently back into the room, gazing at them as if expecting to see something out of the ordinary. He headed over to his tripod, busying himself with loading the camera.
Scarlet walked over to the man, motioning to the door. “Are you aware the damn door locks behind you?”
He looked up, those cold, gray eyes clearly assessing her. “Excuse me?”
“The door, Einstein. It locked behind you when we left.”
“Really? That’s odd.” He walked over, shoving the slab open before giving her a confused raise of his eyebrows.
She crossed her arms on her chest. “It wouldn’t open. I tried.”
“Any particular reason you wanted to leave?”
“Ladies’ room.”
“Perhaps it just got stuck.”
“Or maybe you locked it from the outside.”
Something flashed in his eyes, but it was gone before she could read him. “I’m sure it was nothing more than a misunderstanding. Can we finish?”
“I’d still like to use the washroom.”
He stepped in front of her when she reached for the door, blocking her way, his hand cinched around her wrist. “We’re nearly finished. All I need is another ten minutes or so.”
Her muscles twitched, flexing as she fought the instinct to lock his arm behind his back and crush his face into the wall.
He increased his grip, stepping into her personal space. “Just ten more minutes.”
She firmed her stance. “Fine. But let go.”
He smiled, all teeth and thin lips then motioned to the other women. “Shall we?”
She huffed as he released her wrist then walked back to the group. Her skin stung from where he’d gripped her, and she had a bad feeling it might bruise.
Fuck. Roman and Aiden would go apeshit if it did.
Sarah gave her a concerned furrow, but Scarlet merely smiled, patting the other woman on the arm as she took her place. Ms. November bumped into her, somehow managing to scratch the same sore flesh Nick had hurt before muttering a token apology.
Scarlet forced a smile, mentally punching the photographer in the face as he clicked off more frames, making weird hand signals at them to shuffle them around. Amber moved in front of her, her short blonde hair bobbing across her shoulders when the lights flickered then died, blanketing the room in darkness. A few of the ladies screamed before a dull emergency light came on, casting a muted glow across the room.
Nick appeared through the shadows, his hands raised. “Easy, ladies. It’s probably just a small outage. With the sporadic storms we’ve been having, it’s no surprise and most likely just a temporary problem. I’m sure the power will kick back on any minute. Just stay calm.”
Scenarios ran through Scarlet’s head, the least of which had anything to do with this being a power outage. She glanced toward the door, finally discerning the outline in the heavy darkness. The fact Aiden wasn’t already pounding on the metal slab meant that only the power in the damn studio had been cut.
Instinct took over and she lunged forward just as the collection of light stands and other equipment exploded off to their right. Glass splintered across the room, the tinkling sound rising above the chain reaction of screams. Smoke billowed out from the broken equipment, quickly smothering the room. She stumbled to her knees when one of the models slammed into her from the side, making the room dip. She palmed the floor when something hit her head, launching her face-first into the floor. Another series of screams echoed around her, then nothing.
Chapter Ten
Aiden paced the length of the lounge, once again glancing at the door leading to the studio. He hadn’t realized that the actual photo location was through yet another door, and just knowing he wasn’t quite close enough to hear Scarlet if she screamed his name irked the hell out of him.
He fisted his hand, stilling the urge to slam it against the wall. Roman hadn’t returned yet, either. Just another fact that ate at him. While he knew his lover could handle himself, he hated the uneasy feeling prickling his skin—the one that usually meant something was off. And he’d learned to trust his instincts.
A noise rose above the din of chatter around him, and he walked toward the doorway, listening to see if the anomaly would sound again. It’d been too fragmented to place—nothing more than a ghosted echo that taunted his sanity. He stopped next to the door, cocking his head to the side, but nothing rose above the pounding of his pulse in his head.
Aiden palmed the wall, resting his forehead against the hard surface. He’d never been this protective before. Never felt as if his skin was being stretched too tight at just the thought of losing her. That he’d just sat there, waiting when she’d needed him. That he’d spend the rest of his life knowing he’d let her down.
“You okay?” Roman stepped up behind him, slapping him on the shoulder.
Aiden spun, pressing his back into the wall as he stared into his lover’s eyes. Roman had a way of grounding him. Of making him see the bigger picture instead of getting tunneled down a single path—one that usually drove him crazy.
He motioned to the door. “I thought I heard something, but no
one else seems concerned and it hasn’t sounded again, so…” He shrugged.
Roman glanced to Aiden’s left. “What does your gut tell you?”
“I never knew how much I needed her until she stepped into that damn studio alone?”
Roman sighed. “Besides that.”
“That something feels off. But I can’t justify it. Everything seems fine. And she was right. She’s not in there alone. Guy would have to be pretty damn skilled to get six women at a time, especially when one of them is a wildcat.”
“But your spider sense is tingling.”
“Can’t fucking relax. And I’d like to think it’s from more than just the obvious. That I’m in love with you both and can’t fucking breathe past the thought of losing either of you.”
“You’re not going to lose us. We’ll catch this guy, and we’ll leave here—together, as a family unit. Only way it can happen.” He thrummed his fingers on his chin. “But I trust your gut. If it’s telling you something’s wrong…” He stepped back. “I say it’s time for to check up on our girl. We can make up some bullshit story about her needing some medication or something if camera boy in there gets suspicious.”
“Fucking A.”
Aiden pushed off the wall, palming the door when the entire room shook as an explosion sounded in an adjoining room. The lights flickered then winked out, leaving nothing but a single sputtering emergency bulb blinking in the smoky shadows. The force knocked Aiden on his ass, bits of dust and paint clouding around him. He coughed, waving his hand to clear the air when Roman grabbed his wrist and yanked him to his feet. Shouts sounded around them, followed by the whine of a fire alarm.