Page 91 of Nothing to the Wedding

“After,” Anjelica said.“We met after his party.”

Wow, so Zairn squeezed Anjelica in between leaving his party and screwing his wife in the Platinum Suite?Must’ve been one helluvan elevator ride.Casanova would get a talking to for that.She’d suggested Grand Hotel elevator sex the night they got married.He hadn’t followed through with her, but instead used her idea with his hussy?

Zairn hadn’t seen this.Who would show it to him?A brave soul.It would only frustrate him.He didn’t like it when their love was brought into question, when his dedication to her was doubted.Not in such a specific, explicit way.Wasn’t one of her most loved moments either, but it had to be left in perspective.

“Who is this guy?Your director?”Reeve asked and the camera moved.“Did you come out to film yourself here?The world won’t feel sorry for you.Some think you were setup, that you’re being taken advantage of to paint Zairn or Roxie in a bad light.”

“I am here because I want to be, because I have to be.”

“It wasn’t some impulse or a deep-seated drive.You took the time to do hair, makeup—and why didn’t you go to the hotel?”

“I tried!”Anjelica called, dampness rimming her eyes.“I went there and they wouldn’t let me in.”

“They wouldn’t let you in at the hotel, so you thought they’d let you in here?Look around you, plenty of crazies had the same idea.”

“I am not crazy!He loves me!”

“He loves Lola!”someone in the crowd called out.

“Everyone loves Lola!”came another voice.

Well, that was nice.Who didn’t like love?At least one, rather two, particular people liked her.Was it only them who—

The crowd chanted.It started slow and… She tipped her head to hear the name in two sure syllables.

“Lo-la, Lo-la.”

Curling her lips around her teeth, the flattery wanted her to laugh, though it was absurd, but it was… Those people…

Anjelica seemed to be talking, her lips were moving, but the crowd drowned her out.

“Rox…” Mieux approached again.“Do you hear—”

“I hear it.”

Maybe if they went to the street, they’d hear it vibrate through the city.

Mieux was just as astounded.“I’ve never…”

“When we get to the club,” Roxie said, “bring him upstairs.”

“Him?”

“Reeve Crosby.I want to speak to him alone in our pod.”

The chant grew in volume and ferocity.Yet another reason she and Zairn didn’t need to involve themselves.The people had their backs.Their people.As much as anyone in their employ, those people on the street were theirs too.

They’d gathered without invitation, knowing the club was closed, just on the chance of catching a glimpse.These were their people and they answered Anjelica’s accusations themselves.Zairn loved her, only her, and none of those incredible individuals would hear any different.

TWENTY-SIX

ZAIRN WAS ALREADY on the roof when someone came to tell her it was time to go.With the rotors going, and an audience, they didn’t have time to talk.Not that there was anything to say.He may not be aware of the Anjelica thing at all.

At the club, they were whisked into a sea of people.They’d used the main dance floor for her birthday celebration.That night was access all areas.Their guests took up space upstairs, downstairs, and in the VIP suite, anywhere they wanted.

She had an appointment, so as Zairn was coopted by a bunch of unknown suits—that wasn’t a fair descriptor, practically every guy there wore a suit—she headed for their base.Zairn had a preferred private pod in LA’s Crimson.It had been his preferred space before her too, a lot happened in that room, but it was a place she didn’t mind setting as off-limits.

Mieux was the one she’d sent on the mission, but it was Stephen Barrow who opened the door to let Reeve Crosby inside.