Corrupting Cinderella

  “What’s your name? I’ll text Adam and see when he’s coming back.”

  “David Greybell.”

  I tap out a quick text to Adam, not really expecting a reply since I know he’s in court. But at least if I go missing, the police will have an idea of who to question first.

  I’m seriously pissed at myself for being so scared. Irrationally, I blame Rock. He got me so flustered after my missed appointment this morning—insinuating that something bad could have happened to me—that I’m seeing threats everywhere.

  Finally I get into Adam’s calendar and discover he’s in Surrogate’s Court. Great. He could be there for twenty minutes or two hours—there’s no way to tell.

  “He hasn’t written back yet, so he’s probably in court. It looks like he has some time available tomorrow morning. Do you want me to schedule you in?”

  “Yes, please.”

  The reason I suggested that time is because I won’t be here. Let Adam deal with his creepy client by himself.

  I tap in some information and log off. “Okay, I’ll let him know. Thanks.”

  “Are you an attorney? Maybe you can help me instead?”

  “No, that’s not my area, and my boyfriend is picking me up any minute.”

  He looks dejected, and I squelch the impulse to feel bad about brushing him off.

  After Mr. Greybell leaves, I lock the door. My hands are shaking. I stare at my cell phone and contemplate calling Rock. After turning it over in my head, I dismiss the idea. He’ll just use it as an excuse to be even more hyper-protective. The last thing I need is for him to start sending one of his prospects to work with me.

  Hearing the back door slam makes me almost jump out of my skin, even though logically I know it has to be Adam. I stalk down the hall to greet him.

  “You just missed your oddball client.”

  He stops and throws a sarcastic glance at me. “Greybell?”

  “Yup.”

  He waves a hand in the air. “He’s a little off, but he’s harmless.”

  “Yeah, well, he made me nervous. I’m so pissed I forgot to lock the front door.”

  “You can’t keep that door locked during business hours. What if a client stops by?”

  We’ve had this discussion before, and I kind of want to clock Adam for being so damn dense. “Uh, when I’m alone down here by myself, I damn well will keep the door locked. Clients will just have to ring the doorbell.”

  He rolls his eyes at me as if to say “you’re such a girl.”

  “Geez, Hope, there’s an office right upstairs.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I give him a hard stare. “I don’t care. You’re a guy. You don’t get it.”

  His face softens. “You’re right. Better to be safe than sorry.”

  My agitation disappears, and we turn to discussing our current cases. Since I only have the one, my end of the conversation is short. I am able to offer him some advice on a few of his cases, which helps me feel a little less useless.

  When we’re done with the work talk, Adam’s face transforms into a mischievous grin. “Did that big, scary man of yours find you before? He came here all wound up earlier.”

  “Yeah, he did.”

  “He’s something, Hope. You sure know how to pick ‘em.”

  I know Adam means this as a compliment, and my lips quirk into a smile.

  “How about you? When do I get to meet this mystery man you’ve been seeing?”

  He gives me a secret smile. “Soon. I’m thinking of asking him to go to that party of Judge Oak’s.”

  “So, I have to wait until then to meet him? Is he a lawyer?”

  Another sly grin. “Sort of.”

  “What the hell does that mean? Is he out?”

  A flash of annoyance crosses his face. “Yes, Hope. Unlike some people we know, I don’t deal with guys hiding in the closet.”

  He’s referring to Ross, and I’m thankful I never suggested that because they’re both gay lawyers they’d make a perfect couple. Lilly once made that mistake, and Adam still hasn’t forgiven her for it.

  “Don’t start.”

  He nods. “Are you going to invite your big, scary biker?”

  I snort. Then full-out belly laugh. Rock at a political fundraiser? As if that would ever happen. “Uh, no. I don’t think he would set foot inside an event like that.” In fact, I know he won’t—because he told me so—which is why I don’t even plan to mention it. What’s the point?

  “You have to go, Hope. Mara will kill you if you don’t.”

  “Yeah, I am capable of going to things alone, you know.”

  “I remember.” He’s referring to Clay.

  He didn’t do lawyer functions either.

  I sure know how to pick them.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Thanks so much for picking me up, guys,” Sophie says in a breathless rush as she slides into the backseat of Rock’s SUV.

  “No problem, babe,” Rock answers while reversing out of the driveway. “Thanks for inviting us.”

  “I’m so happy to have the extra company. I love seeing Jonny’s shows, but I always feel weird standing around backstage by myself.” Sophie squeezes my shoulder. “It’s good to have my partner in crime back.”

  I chuckle at that. Sophie and I had a lot of fun times in law school. Since I was with Clay, Lilly was her partner in picking up rocker guys, but I appreciate the sentiment.

  Sophie lets out this frustrated growling noise. “I hate all the fucking groupies who hang out, trying to grope Jonny when he gets off stage. You can help me kick some skank groupie ass.”

  Rock chuckles a little uncomfortably.

  With a smirk, I turn and face Sophie. “No problem. I’ve got tons of experience now from dealing with Rock’s own personal muffler bunny fan club.”

  Rock makes a choking sound, and Sophie falls back against the seat in a fit of giggles. “Buttercup, you gotta let me up there one of these days. I’ll be happy to take care of those bitches for you.” She flashes a glance at Rock.

  “You girls done?” he asks with a bemused smile.

  Sophie and I burst into another round of giggles while Rock shakes his head.

  We’re still laughing and carrying on by the time we get to the club. It holds about three thousand people and appears to be sold out tonight. The line down the sidewalk to get in seems miles long. We are able to go right to the front window, give our names, and go right in. The bouncer directs us to the back. We walk through the brightly lit but mostly empty club. Sophie is bouncing up and down with excitement. It’s been a few weeks since she and Jonny saw each other, and I fully expect them to disappear into some dark corner when we find him.

  Rock and Jonny greet each other like they’re long lost brothers, and I really need to find out what the story is there. Jonny isn’t talking much because he’s preserving his voice for the demanding style of screaming vocals he uses on stage. Sophie brought him a particular type of cough drop, and he thanks her by kissing her long and deep in front of everyone.

  Like a king holding court, Rock is busy chatting with the other band members. I’m always amazed at how comfortable he is in any situation. Maybe even a little jealous.

  After Jonny and Sophie finish their game of tonsil hockey, she rushes over to me.

  “Sorry.”

  I’m busy watching Rock and Jonny. Rock pulls a package out of his cut and hands it to Jonny, who lights up in a big grin.

  “What are they up to?” I ask Sophie.

  “No idea. Lots of people bring them shit for the free tix, you know?”

  Hmmm.

  We mostly stay in the back room during the first couple bands. Rock pulls me into his lap as the rest of the band lights up what Rock explains to me is a vaporizer. Jonny passes but asks them to save it for later. I arch a brow at Sophie, and she shrugs. She also passes on the weed, but I get the sense she’s only doing it so I won’t feel weird.

  When Rock also passes, one of the guys jokes wi
th him about not sampling his own product. I go absolutely rigid in Rock’s lap, and his arms tighten around me.

  “I’m good, man,” he gets out through clenched teeth.

  Lilly joins us, distracting me from the question on the tip of my tongue. She sweeps me into a big hug. The guys in the band are excited to see her, so I assume she’s spent a lot of time hanging out with Sophie and Jonny. Rock chuckles when Z walks in the room next. Lilly is sitting on the drummer’s lap, and he’s dangerously close to motorboating her in front of the entire room. Z takes in the scene and sits down on the arm of the couch next to Rock and me without a word.

  “Hey, Z,” I greet.

  “‘Sup, Hope?”

  Jonny and Z greet each other with some sort of bro-hug, and I wonder when these two had a chance to meet. Lilly looks up, finally noticing Z, and scrambles out of the drummer’s lap. She whispers something in Sophie’s ear that makes Sophie tug me out of Rock’s lap. The three of us head out into the club and into the ladies’ room.

  “Wasn’t there a bathroom back there?” I ask because we’re stuck waiting in a line.

  “Trust me, it’s more disgusting than this one,” Sophie informs us with a shiver.

  “Why is Z here?” Lilly asks me.

  “I don’t know—”

  “Jonny put Rock, Hope, and plus two on the list,” Sophie answers, clearing up that mystery.

  Geez, I hope Wrath isn’t going to show up next.

  “Shit,” Lilly mumbles.

  “What are you so freaked out for? I thought you and Z were just fucking around,” Sophie asks.

  “We are.” Lilly sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “Doesn’t mean I want to hang out with him and someone else I’m fucking around with,” she says with a nervous chuckle.

  I can’t stop the eye roll. I love Lilly, but she’s non-stop drama.

  By the time we make it out of the bathroom, the band is setting up. We reenter the green room where Jonny is busy running through his vocal exercises. Not wanting to make him nervous, I head back to Rock.

  “We’re probably going to watch the band from the side of the stage,” I inform him.

  “Okay. You’re staying back here, though, right? I don’t want you out in the crowd if they start moshing and shit.”

  I stop and give him a cool look. “Rock, I went to shows long before I knew you. I can handle myself just fine.”

  His eyebrow quirks at that. Z turns away, shaking with laughter.

  The girls and I head into the club.

  After the first song, Rock joins us side stage and slips his arms around my waist. I lean into him, and he bends down to kiss my neck. Sophie glances over and breaks into a wide grin. My body is vibrating from being so close to the stage. Having Rock at my back intensifies the sensation.

  The show is awesome, and I remember how much I used to enjoy going out with Sophie. Jonny turns into a beast on stage, and I hope he and Sophie manage to make things work. I don’t think she realizes it, but he’s exactly the kind of guy she’s been looking for since I met her. Hot rocker, who has a business with income on the side. Doesn’t throw his money away on drugs, and worships the ground she walks on.

  After the band finishes what they say is their last song, Jonny paces backstage waiting to go back out for their encore. Looking past Sophie, I realize Lilly has disappeared. Z and Rock are over by the entrance to the back room talking, so she’s not with Z. Just as I turn to ask Sophie a question, someone squeezes my ass. Unless Rock has developed some amazing super powers, I know it can’t be him, and whirl to confront the ass-grabber. Sophie also squeals. Ass-grabber has an accomplice.

  I recognize my perv as the singer of one of the earlier bands.

  “Get your hands off me,” I order through clenched teeth.

  “Come on, baby, you’re too hot to be bandwhoring for these old fucks,” he breathes in my face. Is it possible to get contact drunk? If so, then his whiskey breath would do the trick.

  Sophie pushes the other guy just as the music for the encore starts up.

  Suddenly both ass-grabbers are laid out on the floor. Rock has his hand around the throat of mine. “That’s my girl you touched, asshole,” he shout-growls into the kid’s ear.

  Jonny has his knee on the chest of the guy who grabbed Sophie and is delivering an equally informative message.

  Z hustles us away. “You girls all right?”

  I shake him off. “We’re fine. We had it covered.”

  Z cocks his head at me. Security finally shows up and holds on to the two jerks, while Jonny runs out on stage to finish his set. Sophie and I crash into the green room together.

  Flopping on the couch side by side, we listen to the band wrap up their set. Rock’s still out there somewhere too.

  “Man we know how to live it up, buttercup,” Sophie giggles.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “What? Our men protecting us? Don’t be—”

  She’s interrupted by Jonny running into the room and scooping her up off the couch. They disappear into another back room that I assume will be off-limits for the rest of the night.

  Rock slams through the doors next and heads straight for me. Joining me on the couch, he slips his arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”

  “I was fine, Rock. I can take care of myself,” I grumble. Looking up, I find Z standing next to the couch. Rock leans over, touching his forehead to mine.

  “I see someone grabbin’ my girl’s ass, I’m gonna to do something about it. It’s who I am, Hope. You know this.”

  He’s right. I do know this about him. But still. “You can’t go around beating up everyone who looks at me funny.”

  He chuckles. “Oh yeah—why not?”

  I give him an exasperated eye roll.

  His expression turns serious. “Babe, that guy didn’t just look at you funny. He put his hands on you. That’s not okay. You’re my girl. There’s no fuckin’ way I’m gonna stand by and let that shit happen right in front of me.”

  I can tell he’s pissed that I didn’t fall at his feet and thank him for the intervention, because he gets up and walks outside to cool off. Z’s still standing there staring at me.

  I glare up at him. “You’re not going to give me some scary lecture, are you? I get enough of those from Wrath.”

  Z’s face beaks into a warm smile and he sits next to me. “Nah, Hope. You gotta understand, Rock loves how smart and independent you are—”

  “Geez, you could’ve fooled me, the way he’s always acting,” I scoff.

  “I won’t get into the other things he likes about you.” He gives me a dirty wink that makes me chuckle, then cocks his head at me. “How much has he told you about the club before he took over?”

  “Nothing, really.”

  Z flicks his gaze to where Rock disappeared to. “I can only give you a general outline, you understand?”

  I nod so he’ll continue. By some silent agreement, the two of us move closer together.

  “We lost brothers we were close to because people in control of our club cared more about greed than the brotherhood we’re supposed to be about. Not a damn thing Rock could have done to change it. But Rock, he’s the type of guy who blames himself for everything bad that happens to the people he cares about.”

  Oh, wow. That gives me a lot of insight into why he’s so goddamn overbearing. I wish I’d been smart enough to piece this together sooner.

  “You? I ain’t never seen him act about a woman the way he does with you. Knew it the day he met you. Saw it all over his face. I don’t think he could stand it if something happened to you.”

  Heat crawls over my skin.

  Z has known Rock a long time. Curiosity makes me blurt out, “What was his ex-wife like?”

  Z snorts. “A straight-up useless bitch. Hot, don’t get me wrong.”

  My face must betray some form of jealousy, because Z smirks. “Babe, by the time he realized that wasn’t enough, he was already in too deep. But what they had wa
sn’t a marriage. It was an extended hookup. She was only interested in him gettin’ that president patch—didn’t give a shit about him. Caused him a lot of grief, then deserted him when he needed her most.”

  I let out a long sigh.

  “You love him,” Z continues. “We can all see it. Just try to understand he needs his woman to need him, ya know? He’s been taking care of the club and everyone under it for years. Keeping his family safe is what matters most to him. He just wants to protect you. It’s not a disrespect thing, honey.”

  “I know.”

  Z gets up and holds out his hand to pull me off the sinkhole of a couch.

  “Ya gotta let him defend his girl. Besides, when shit like that happens, he’s doing the world a favor. Guy goes around grabbing women he doesn’t know, deserves whatever he gets.”

  “True. I just…” I think of how to phrase what I want to say so I won’t offend Z. “I’m not like those girls that hang out at your club, who thrive on fights and drama. I don’t get off on seeing my man ‘take care of business,’ you know?”

  Z studies me carefully. “Hope, I’d never in a million years confuse you with a club whore, trust me. You’re all class, babe. And I hear what you’re saying. But I gotta ask—did you create the situation?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then you’re not stirring up trouble just to be a drama queen.”

  Shit. “Okay. I understand what you’re telling me.”

  He grins. “Glad I could help.”

  “At least you’re not mean.”

  He grins even bigger. “Baby, I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

  I shove his shoulder and he wraps an arm around me, giving me a quick hug.

  “The fuck, bro? I gotta lay you out too?” Rock growls.

  I take a quick step between them, which makes both guys laugh.

  “Don’t you dare,” I warn. “He’s been trying to explain to me why you’re such a bossy caveman.”

  “That so?” Rock asks with an eyebrow lift.

  Z shrugs and takes a few steps back.

  Rock glances down at me. “So your husband used to let you come out to places like this with Sophie all the time?”