CHAPTER FIVE
Alyssa sighs. During sex, they realized the couch was a make-shift bed, the backrest had begun to shift while they were going at it. It caught them both off guard but they were happy to be able to have a bed to lay on afterwards. A tingling sensation covers Alyssa’s entire body, and a smile is spread across her face. As she lies there beside Vince, facing the ceiling, the crux of her elbow is rested over her face. “You’re so damn good in bed.” She compliments. I could have you forever. I wouldn’t need another man. If you just wanted me, too, we could be together. There needs to be some kind of magic spell for this. Cupid, where the hell are you? Alyssa chuckles at the thought, but Vince pays it no mind. He’s so easy going too... Mm, great sex, easy going nature, wild and fiery on stage, and only a little less so off stage. That’s my kind of man.
Vince doesn’t respond to Alyssa’s comment by the time she’s done thinking about it, so she pulls her arm off her face and turns to look at him. She notices that his face has turned red again, and he’s smiling, a genuine smile, but he isn’t looking at her, he is looking at the ceiling like Alyssa was. She knows that kind of smile is a rare sight on a man like Vince. So his expression makes Alyssa smile too. She pokes him a few times and she scoots closer to him to cuddle up.
A man of few words, she thinks as she rests her head on his shoulder. I really missed this, I hope he did too. If he didn’t, there’s gotta be something wrong with him. I’m pretty amazing in bed. For a few moments she just lies there, listening to the sound of his heart as she runs her finger around on his skin. Then, she lets out a content sigh.
Beside the bed is a water bottle and Vince leans over without disrupting Alyssa to open it. He drinks down about half and offers the rest to her.
“Ha. Yeah, thanks. Your endurance leads to some massive fatigue.” She comments with a curt laugh before she takes the rest of the water and drinks it down. Vince takes the bottle back, crinkles it and throws it into the trash can by the door. It bounces off the rim but lands in. Once Vince is done shifting around she gets comfortable with him again. Vince is extra quiet and she can feel a flutter in his heart, the kind that comes with being nervous. She tries to hide her smile. Is he nervous about me? Maybe I’ve got a chance.
While Alyssa and Vince are laying in the bed, they begin to hear voices coming from the room next to them. Alyssa can’t quite make out who is talking, but Vince appears to be trying to listen in on them. After a few moments, he gets up out of the bed and walks over towards the door. He nods his head and starts to gather up his clothes. He gets dressed again, into his dark grey T-shirt and black jeans. He runs a hand through his hair and waits.
Alyssa feels like she should probably do the same, and begins getting dressed. She puts her single shoulder blouse and grey bell bottoms back on. She straightens out the stone necklace she has on and does her best to fix her hair. While Alyssa is getting ready, Vince puts the bed back into the couch position and fixes the pillows that they knocked off. When she’s ready, Vince motions for her to be follow as he opens the door and slips out, Alyssa quietly slips out after him but on the other side.
Wolfe, manager of Seven Ravens and leader of the Grimms, is standing in the middle of the room. He is clearing it of unwanted guests and Alyssa notices that he is pointing a few of them towards the door. Without any complaints, they acquiesce and make their way out. Then the door closes behind Vince and Alyssa and Wolfe glances over at them. For a moment he glares at Alyssa and clearly he doesn’t recognize her. She can feel her heart pound a little harder in her chest from the nervousness starting to rise up. Wolfe’s face is stern and cold. He is a massive man, intimidating in his stature. He towers above the rest of the guys, and is a bit older than they are. He has a spider tattoo on his neck. Alyssa swallows hard. Shit! Bad timing.
The rest of the band is gathered around, clearly they were getting ready to listen to Wolfe talk about something. Alyssa looks around, chuckles nervously, and shifts her weight. She’s trying to suppress the urge to inch her way back into the other room and just vanish. She doesn’t know if she should speak up or make a run for it. Vince, someone, anyone, say something. I’m not just some random intruder…. I promise. Tell him. Er. I mean. I sort of am, but I’m not!
Alyssa is rushed with a feeling of gratitude and relief when Ash speaks up, “Don’t worry about her, Wolfe. She’s cool.” Thank you Ash. Thank you. If looks could kill, I’d be deader than a guy shot execution style and slipped through a wood chipper. Wolfe doesn’t mess around… Phew. She shivers at the thought. That’s pretty dead. She sighs to let her body’s emotions return to normal. Wolfe makes an annoyed gesture and Alyssa and Vince lean up against the wall. The rest of the seats are already filled.
“Fine, let’s get started.” He spits out. Alyssa doesn’t pay attention to the first part of Wolfe’s speech. Instead her mind is caught up, I just had sex with Vincent. Finally, after so fucking long. I forgot how amazing he is in bed. Gosh, Wolfe was so unhappy, but really I don’t care. I got what I wanted. I could use a beer now though… Alyssa begins tapping on her arm and she snaps back to reality. Wolfe starts mentioning a bunch of names that she doesn’t recognize. H says something about a guy named Jack needing a visit from the Grimms. The rest of the band becomes lively, chipping in their opinions and comments. For a moment Alyssa can’t make out what anyone is saying but then a member cuts in above the rest.
A tall blonde guy that Alyssa vaguely remembers as the Tailor says, “Haha, yeah. Someone’s out there selling magic beans again, eh? Pretty dumb!” when he says this he moves his elbow into the guy next to him, who just glares at him in return. The Tailor’s enthusiasm dies down and he sinks into his seat.
Apparently, Wolfe isn’t too happy either because when Alyssa looks at him, Wolfe is sneering at the Tailor. You’re so lucky looks can’t kill, but you’re not the only one, dude, Alyssa huffs to herself. She notices that Tailor appears just as nervous as she had when Wolfe looked at her, and it’s a bit of relief that she’s not the only one that crumbles under his gaze. It doesn’t take long for Tailor to throw his gaze to the floor and zip his mouth.
“Look, if you’ve got a problem with takin’ care of business here at home, the damn place that got you guys where you are now, then you should be speakin’ up. I wanna know. Anyone got a problem taking care of business here? Anyone?! No?! Then what the fuck are you waitin’ for?!” Wolfe is angry, like he is about ready to smash something to pieces as he eyes the band members.
No one responds. The room is filled with an eerie silence, a bunch of the band members are staring at Wolfe and others are giving each other looks. Jewel and Alyssa share a glance; Alyssa raises her brows and widens her eyes. Jewel is sitting on Ash’s lap. There’s a look of concern on Ash’s face. He motions for Jewel to get up and she does. While they’re both standing, he grabs her by the hips and pulls her close for a kiss before bidding her goodbye and walking out of the room.
Ash is the first one to comply and he’s the one to lead the rest on their business because slowly the rest of the group stands up and begins exiting the room. Some of them are shuffling, others are rubbing their necks, a few are straightening their vests as they raise their head up and try to motivate the rest into an ass-kicking mood by yelling throwing some quick and light punches and acting enthused. Wolfe just shakes his head glaring at each person who makes eye contact with him, before he too, leaves the room.
Alyssa glances at Vince, who just shrugs at her and half-heartedly grabs his vest from a nearby couch. He throws it on and walks over to a guy standing in the corner. He’s also wearing a Grimms vest. He’s got short brown hair and is wearing non-matching shorts. “You mind grabbing these girls a cab to wherever they want to go?” Vince asks. The guy gives a nod as Vince turns away and leaves the room.
“I’ll be in the studio area when you’re ready.” He says as he leaves the room.