Page 63 of Russian Roulette

With no crazy fans chasing us. Or Leroy slurping on an orange drink in the front seat. Why is one simple wish impossible? I never realized being a celebrity meant giving up the things that mean the most.

The women reach the limo and begin banging on the windows. They’re darkly tinted, so they can’t see us sitting inside. Thank God for small miracles.

Jade bursts out laughing when a woman pulls up her blouse and presses her bare breasts against the window. “Nice nipples,” Jade says sarcastically. “What is their plan? To chase us down the street? Do they really think you’ll open the limo door and let them crawl inside?”

“That is exactly what they’re hoping for,” I tell her. “This isn’t the first time this has happened.”

“Really? This is a normal occurrence in your life? My God, that’s awful.”

“Sometimes,” I say with a sigh. “Once again, I’m sorry. I’m always apologizing to you.”

“No need to apologize,” she says. “Just promise me you won’t let them in here. They’re scaring the crap out of me. They remind me of a zombie invasion, except more terrifying.”

“Same here.”

“Where to now, boss?” Leroy calls out over his shoulder. “I’ll cut across a parking lot to get us out of this mess. There’s a back way that will come out farther along the strip.”

“Oh, so now you remember a shortcut?” I snap. “Why didn’t you try it before?”

“I was hungry,” he replies. “And Burger Crown was on the way.”

“Turn around,” I tell him. “Take us back to my place.”

“You got it,” Leroy says. “Watch for me to make sure I don’t run over any girls.”

He lays on the horn, and the women jump back out of the way. Turning the wheel sharply, he makes a rough U-turn back through the parking lot.

“No! Don’t leave, Seven! Don’t go!” The ladies aren’t happy we’re leaving. They run after the limo in their high heels until they finally give up and stand defeated on the sidewalk.

“Whew!” I say to Jade, placing a hand on her leg. “Glad that’s over and we’ve made our escape. Are you having fun yet?”

She snuggles up closer to me and smiles. “Truthfully, I am. Not exactly what I expected from you. Fun all the same. Where are we going now?”

“Right back where we started,” I reply with a laugh. “To my place.”

“Doesn’t it get old?” she asks. “Living the life of a celebrity?”

“Sometimes it can get very old,” I reply honestly. “The biggest problem is being recognized and accosted by fans every time I step out my front door. Don’t get me wrong, I love them and owe them everything. Without my fans, I’d be nothing.”

She arches her eyebrows at me. “And yet?” she adds.

I’m not fooling her. “I miss having my own personal space. To be able to breathe. You’ve experienced what happens when I go out in public. It’s not all rainbows and puppies.”

“How do you deal with it?” she asks. “The fame? The fans? I’m not sure I could take it.” She laughs. “Not that I would ever be in that position. I’ll never be famous.”

“Never say never,” I say. “Life is weird. Tomorrow, you might hack into Russia and expose their nuclear secrets.”

“Believe me, I never want to be famous for my line of work,” she says. “The work suits me, though.”

I put my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to me. “I didn’t ask you if it was okay to take you back to the penthouse. I’d hoped to give you a chance to do something different tonight since we’ve kept you under lockdown. I’d love to sit and talk in peace without all this craziness. The only way we can do that is to hide out somewhere alone.”

She nods and leans her head against my shoulder. “I’d love that, too.”

33

JADE

When we arrive back at Seven’s place, he tells Leroy to take the rest of the night off before hastily ushering me into the building. The elevator arrives and we step inside. Seven hits the button, then crosses his arms and leans back against the elevator wall. He’s sexy as hell and gorgeous as ever. It’s taking every bit of willpower I have not to throw myself into his arms.