CHAPTER 45
NICHOLAI
The lights flashed back on with a sheepish apology shouted from the lighting technician. Lucky and the Gods walked away into the backstage area and into the maze of hallways behind the stage.
My heart was soaring, despite my best efforts to calm it down.
I tried not to get ahead of myself, but images of us at the alter, honeymooning in the French Alps, having children, all the things I’d always hoped for us, came rushing back with a vengeance.
With my upbringing, I’d never really wanted children, but I knew Lucky did. It was about time she slowed down a little, maybe settle down, pop out a few mini-me’s. How much fun would that be? We could spend all our time together, bonding again over our favorite songs and foods, and just get to know one another again.
Maybe she’d just needed some time to adjust.
Maybe she’d finally seen that Eddie’s death was my gift to her.
Maybe she’d finally realized just how much she loved me.
I kept my distance, but I stayed close enough to keep track of her. They walked out into the hotel lobby together, Lucky waving at a group of adoring fans. The Gods kept her moving, though, quickly whisking her outside to a waiting SUV. I hailed a nearby taxi and jumped in.
“Follow them, please,” I said, pointing to the vehicle in front of us.
When they stopped in front of the hotel next door, the taxi driver looked at me suspiciously. “They didn’t go far.”
“Thanks,” I said, throwing a twenty on his seat and jumping out as soon as Lucky and the Gods disappeared through the revolving doors. I ditched the drum tech’s disguise in the trash outside and ran in after them, pulling a ball cap low over my face.
Catching a glimpse of them just as the elevator doors closed, my breath caught. Lucky stared straight ahead, on the opposite side of the elevator from Ziggy. I smiled, my heart pounding with excitement as I waited and watched.
Maybe this was real after all…
Patience was going to prove to be useful. With any luck, my next move would present itself to me. Her declaration of love had thrown me for a loop, rendering all my previous plans useless.
If Lucky wanted to be with me, if she’d finally come to her senses, then maybe I wouldn’t kill her. Ziggy would have to die, of course, because I had a feeling he wouldn’t just let go of her very easily, no matter how hard she pushed him away. No, he was a threat that needed to be eliminated.
But, it’s possible that Lucky just saved her own life.
If she meant it. If she was truly sorry.
I mean, she embarrassed me, in a big way. I couldn’t just let her get away with it. No, she’d have to pay. One way or another.
I grabbed a newspaper and sat down next to the elevator banks to wait, my head spinning with possibilities. Anything could happen at this point.
But first, I needed to get close to her.
I needed to talk to her.
Give her a chance to properly grovel at my feet — and then we’d decide her fate. A slow smile spread across my face, as I thought about how pretty she’d be when she begged me for forgiveness. I wouldn’t give in until she cried. And then, I’d wait a little longer, just to make sure she’d learned her lesson, just long enough for me to enjoy her tears.
It was important that she learned from her mistake. She’d disrespected me and like my mother had learned, that was a very bad thing to do.
A few minutes later, I peered over the newspaper as the elevator doors opened with a ding and all the Gods walked out, including a very crest-fallen Ziggy. I strained to hear their conversation as they stopped nearby.
“I can’t believe this shit,” Ziggy said. “I’m sorry, guys.”
“It’s my fault,” the tall one replied. “I shouldn’t have lost my cut and left my post.”
“Whatever,” Ziggy shrugged. “I think it’s more than that.”
“Well, we did our best,” the older, serious one replied. “Let’s get home. Our flight leaves in an hour.”
I watched with glee as they shuffled away in a flurry of leather, denim and sweat. But then I realized they’d left Lucky up there completely alone, and suddenly I was infuriated.
I jumped up and boarded the elevator, my heart racing as I hurried back to my love. When the elevator doors opened, I waited outside the double doors to the penthouse and steeled myself.
Anything could happen.
She wants you back.
She needs you back.
Everything’s going to be okay, I thought, as I reached up and knocked on the door with a trembling fist.
“Come in,” she called out from inside. “It’s unlocked!”
I resisted the urge to begin criticizing her reckless behavior of leaving the door unlocked. This wasn’t the time. Slowly, I reached down and turned the knob, the door opening with a long, loud squeak.
The suite was dark and I didn’t see her right away.
“In the back!” she called out again.
Following the sound of her voice, I stepped through the darkness until I reached the master bedroom. The door was ajar and I pushed it open, peering into the darkness.
“Lucky,” I called out to her.
She was lying on the bed, her silhouette barely visible in the dim room.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” she whispered, her words like salve on my wounded heart.