Killian scans the room. “He looked like shit. And now he’s gone.”
When Jax disappears, we all worry. It is an automatic reaction now, no matter how trustworthy he seems. Instantly, I’m alert, my lower back clenching.
“When did you last see him?”
“Walking off stage.”
“That was…” I glance at my watch. “Forty-two minutes ago.”
Killian waves over Whip and Rye. “You guys seen Jax?”
Our worry is contagious. Rye frowns. “No, man.”
“I saw him go into the bathroom when we got off,” Whip says.
Rye jogs away to search the bathroom, while Killian heads for Kip, our head of security.
I move that way as well, and reach them just as Kip tells Killian he saw Jax go upstairs, hanging on to a groupie.
“And some guy,” Kip adds.
“A guy?” Killian repeats, confused.
“Yeah, kind of sleazy looking. He had Jax by the other arm. But Jax waved me off.” Kip shrugs. “So what could I do?”
Do your bloody job and tell me what was happening, I think with a silent snarl.
Killian’s gaze darts to mine. “Jax is not into dudes.”
“I know that,” I snap, then take a breath. “Look, we don’t know what’s going on; we’re simply being cautious. And I do not want to call attention to us, so let’s calm down.”
Killian’s jaw tenses, but he nods.
“Keep on with your duties,” I tell Kip. “Come with me, Killian.”
Rye finds us as we walk across the room, his expression is grim. “Not in the bathroom.”
“Apparently he went upstairs,” I say. “Stay here and be you.”
He knows exactly what I mean, but he doesn’t appear happy.
“Some days it sucks being the class clown. Text me when you find him, or I’m gonna be pissed.” He salutes us and runs off, jumping on the couch between two women. “Ladies, who wants to do shots?”
Liberty is with us, and I touch her elbow to slow her down. “Go tell Whip to stay down here. If we all go, people will notice.”
Killian and I fall silent as we wait for the elevator.
“We have no real reason to worry,” I tell him.
“He’s probably fucking some girl.”
“Right.”
A row of numbered lights track the elevator’s descent to our fifth floor level. Killian and I both watch it.
“Why do I feel like it’s something more?” Killian whispers, staring at the lights.
My heart gives a pained thump. “I don’t know.” But I feel the same.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sophie
* * *
Turns out I don’t have to hunt Martin down. He finds me. Of course the bastard does it his way, texting me to say he’s off to the concert—where I can’t follow without being seen by Gabriel—and then smugly adds that he’ll text again when he’s free.
Fucker. Fuck-faced fucker.
I have no choice but to sit tight, bide my time, and grow more anxious.
I’ve doodled devil faces on half the models in my magazine when I hear the elevator ding in the hall. A woman’s obnoxious laughter rings out, followed by the lower tones of Jax’s voice. The concert is over, and he’s clearly in the mood to entertain.
Their voices drift off, and I try to lose myself in TV. Unfortunately, nothing’s on, and I find myself watching Alvin and the Chipmunks in Italian. I have no idea why a kid’s show is playing in the middle of the night, but high-pitched chatter in rapid Italian is definitely a distraction.
I don’t know how much time passes, but a terrified, ear-piercing screech coming from the hall has me jumping up and running for the door.
A young woman runs toward the elevator in hysterics. Her brown hair is wild, her makeup smudged. Vomit splatters cover one side of her chest. That doesn’t stop me from hooking her by the arm and yanking her to a stop. She’s running from Jax’s room.
“What happened?” I snap, my heart pounding. She tries to jerk free, but I hold her tight. “Answer me.”
“I don’t care if he’s famous. He barfed on me. Eww…” She flails her hand. “So fucking gross.”
She’s an American, and probably no older than nineteen. I tug her along, hurrying down the corridor. “Show me where he is.”
“Let me go.”
“No. You don’t get that luxury right now.” And I’m stronger. Worry and fear for Jax has that effect.
“He’s with that other dude,” she whines. “He’ll take care of him.”
I don’t stop, but my steps stutter. “What dude?”
“I don’t know. Some guy. Marty.”
I can feel the blood draining from my face. I find myself rushing forward, the girl in tow. “Shit, shit.”
The girl wrenches free. I don’t try to catch her but run to Jax’s room and bang on the door.
My worst fear is realized when Martian opens it with a shit-eating grin.
“Well, this was easier than expected. Hello, pretty Sophie.”
I shove him back with all my strength. “What the fuck did you do!”
He stumbles a step but then steadies, laughing. “I didn’t do shit. Just followed the trainwreck that is Jax Blackwood.”