Red Awakening: (Red Knight #2) (7 page)

Oh god. Is she seriously going to ask me for the exclusive on my frigging wedding day? My cheeks burn red. Am I about to be bribed into keeping my job? Shit, how bloody shallow does she think I am? I frown and stare as she remains very professional about her unethicality.

“Okay,” her tone stretches. “This is purely an idea, a kind of offer if you will.” I roll my eyes. “Now hear me out before you make any decisions. Hearsay would like to do an exclusive piece.”
God, I’m going to scream at her in a minute
. “We would like one of our best employees,” she stresses. “As our subject of the year. Now, we all know how Mr Knight is a stickler for privacy, and we’ll be in bother if we pursue him.” She rests her chin on her folded hands. “But this will be purely all you, interview and photo-shoot. So you can give me an answer now, or sleep on it,” she says. “You may just pull this magazine out from behind the rack.”

This is bloody ridiculous. I have completely made the wrong decision taking this job. I should have known that in this line of work, marrying someone like Adrien is going to create shockwaves. I really liked Mary. I thought she was different. But now it’s clear she’s all about the success. Using any means to gage distinction. I won’t do it, and she can probably see that from the look on my face.

I hate it. I can see it in her. I’ve seen the same look plenty of times over the past few months. She assumes I’m with Adrien for one thing, money. But I will guard his secret to the grave because I love him. He could be penniless and I wouldn’t feel any different.

I stand up, removing my glasses. “I’m sorry Mary. You have clearly got me all wrong.” She pushes her back against the chair, puckering her lips. “Our wedding is private and very personal to me.”

“Liz-Liz-Liz,” she blows out. “You’re taking this out of context. It’s simply a business proposition.”

“And I’m not for sale, and neither is my wedding.” I walk out of her office and return to my desk.

I take my belongings out of my drawer and pull my ID card over my head. I log out of my computer, put on my jacket, and sigh. I can’t work here. Call me old fashioned, but I won’t use immoral ways to climb up the career ladder. Thing is, I’m not really all that bothered. This isn’t like the time I lost my job at Aroma. I don’t have any affections to this place. All those years of study and now, I would rather serve coffee in a poky café for a living. Less hassle, less stress, and no one on your back.

Now I have to tell Adrien I’ve quit. I’ll be leaving out the reason why. He’s got contacts everywhere, and I don’t want this getting out of hand. I know he’ll try and persuade me to work with him, but that’s not going to happen. After the wedding, I guess I’ll be job hunting all over again.

Liz

What do vampires do on their stag night, or as Adrien calls it, bachelor party. I have absolutely no idea, and I’d like it to remain that way. I can hear them all out in the kitchen, downing shots. Dom like always is the loudest and the most excited.

Tonight Cate is in charge of my hen party, and I dread to think what she has lined up for me. Her and my mum will have raided Tickles you Toys for tonight, and the thought of that turns my stomach. I don’t want to be dressed in condoms, badges, and tacky sashes. To be honest, I don’t want to leave this apartment. I did drop countless hints to Cate, indicating I’d like to do something relaxing. I even left a variety of pamphlets on locations that do spa days, dotted around her kitchen. Did she pay any attention to them? Hell no.  

I take a bottle of tonic out of the bathroom cabinet. I’ve already taken one this morning, like I do every morning. But with all Adrien’s friends in the apartment, and the fact I’m going out, he was adamant I take extra. He got all overly concerned and brought the nasty incident up where I was attacked at Finley’s Irish bar. So to save arguments I agreed.

I finger through my hair, press together my glossed lips, slide on my beige suede heels, and make my way into the lounge.

God, what on earth is this shit music they’ve got booming through the apartment. It sounds like a cat’s being strangled. I don’t think Adrien likes it either. He’s just marched up to Ben, ejected the cd, and snapped it in half.

“Woot-woo,” Dom hollers at me. “Liz.” He hoists his glass. “Looking mighty fine.” He winks.

I spin my pupils and pick my handbag up from the dining table. I glance around the room to see around twenty of Adrien’s friends. Some I have met, others, well, I don’t have a clue who they are, or if they’re vampires. I’ve trained my mind not to think about it anymore, and the nerves I used to have, no longer exist.

Adrien strolls across to me, placing his whisky down on the table as I get ready to go. He’s wearing a light grey tailored suit, minus the tie. I sulk. He looks great, and I’d much rather be going out with him tonight. I bet he’s not going to be subjected to having tacky sex toys thrust in his face. I don’t see a hint of anything that tells me he’s going on his stag do. No condoms pinned to his jacket. No blow up doll tied to his back. Not even a bachelor badge.

His lusty eyes move down my beige dress. I don’t want to say goodbye. He’s flying up to Killiecrankie tomorrow, and Cate is coming to stay here with me until we fly the day after that. I know it’s traditional, not seeing the bride before the wedding. But three days is a bit much. And as much as it pains me to say, our relationship is far from traditional.

“Come here.”

He pulls my hand through the panel doors and glides me up against the wall. His forehead rests down on mine, as his fingers creep up my face to cup my cheek.

“This is going to be the last time I’m alone with Miss Lovell,” he says. “I want to take one last long look at her.”

I sigh. “Why do you need to go tomorrow?”

He smiles sweetly. “You have gone longer without seeing me when I’m away on business.”

“This is different.”

He kisses my nose. “It will fly by… trust me.”

“That’s if I make it after tonight.”

He laughs. “Go and have fun. Let your hair down, as long as you’re careful,” he warns. “Because I don’t want to be getting no calls, telling me that you have some python wrapped round your neck, or that you’ve slipped on some stripper’s baby oil,” he giggles. “I’ve seen how these hen parties go.”

“Oh great,” I nearly cry. “Well, I’m not going now.”

“Yes you are.” He kisses my head. “And I will see you on our wedding day.”

“Please, I’m begging you Adrien. Let’s just elope.”

His hands press against my cheeks and he has a hard look in his eyes. “No begging,” he flirts. “See.” He kisses my head again. “You.” My nose. “Saturday.” My lips.

                                                        ***

Sara drives me to the first venue of the evening, the Chinese restaurant, Luck Li. I’m not sure what I’m letting myself in for. Mum and Cate have been all cloak and dagger about it, and I know squat. It’s not like I haven’t been trying. I purposely went to see Mum in her shop; the place I avoid at all cost. But desperate is, how desperate does. I even helped her arrange a display of flavoured condoms in the shop window, while digging for information. It wasn’t long before she figured out my plan, and refused to tell me a thing. So I spent an hour on full view in a sex shop, for fuck all.

We pull up outside. I immediately slip down into my seat, covering my eyes. I can see them all in there: Kim, Clare, and Chloe, who I went to uni with, helping Cate stick something in the window.

Mum sees me shaming red, and scurries through the door. I look to Sara. She shrugs her shoulders, rolling her eyes.

“Well, we better get this over with.” She opens her door and steps out in her black platform wedges.

I approach the window and scowl at a huge blown up photo of me displayed, so all and sundry can see.

Mum hurries to me, waving a pair of devil horns with a red veil. “Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da,” she sings, trying to slip the tacky headband over my hair.

Sara goes through the glass door, leaving me gawping at a poster size photo of me at the age of ten, dressed up as frigging snow white. And above, is a big pink banner that says, bride to be. How could she do this to me?

“Come on then.” Mum straightens out the veil and yanks me inside.

Cate trots across to me and I can smell the wine on her breath. She’s so excited. I’m going to have to just suck it up. Even though I’m dreading this, she has gone to a lot of trouble. I smile and plant a kiss on her cheek. She looks great, really classy in her cream summer gown, and wavy hair.

“Come on ladies, our table awaits.” She pulls me under a trellis archway, into a private seating area.

I meet and greet my party. It’s really good to see my uni friends again; they all seem to have careers that are taking off. I don’t mention that I’ve just quit my job after four short weeks, and I’m glad they haven’t really took an interest in the subject. They seem more fascinated with the rice wine and my future husband.

I sit at the end of the long table with Mum to my right, and Sara to my left. Sara is pulling out all the stops to appear as though she wants to be here. But I can tell it’s an effort for her. Being approachable and nice to people, when she doesn’t mean it, is driving her to drink more.

We order a set menu of hot and sour soup, crispy shredded duck, with wontons and peking sauce.

“So girls, a toast.” Cate stands up. “To Liz, and her last night of freedom.” I smile and blush as they all raise their glasses. “And to commend her for snagging the hottest man in the city.”

Sara blows out an uninspired breath, before downing what’s left in her glass.

“Cate, be quiet,” I huff.

The waiters place our food in the centre of the white table cloth, along with another three bottles of wine.

“Cate is right,” Mum pipes up. “I have had the privilege of studying those perky cheeks up close. You’re a lucky girl, Lizzy.”

“Okay, that’s enough now,” I laugh. “Let’s just eat please.”

The food was wonderful. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten Chinese, and I think I’ve over-faced myself. Sara didn’t eat much, so I ended up helping myself to her portion. I think she might be a little tipsy. She’s actually been gossiping about mundane issues, she usually hates.

“Right ladies, our ride awaits outside.” Cate stands up as the waiter takes the silver bill plate away. “Now Liz,” she says. “You need to wear this.” She holds out a black blindfold.

Oh for fuck sake.
I’ve enjoyed the normality of the night so far. It’s been pleasant; nice meal and good company. Why is it now I feel like I’m on the slippery slope to smuttiness?

“Are you seriously going to make me wear that?” I groan and notice Sara smiling.

“Yes, we have been planning this surprise, with the help of Sara for weeks now.” Cate walks to my back. “So the least you can do is keep it a surprise until we get there.”

“You helped plan this?” I frown at Sara.

She nods with a strange smirk. “Yes.”

Cate ties the back of the blindfold, and I hear Kim giggling and chatting with Mum. I just want to run. I feel sick speculating what’s going to happen next.

I’m steered out into the summer night breeze. I hear a door slide open and I’m told to lift my foot and watch my step.

“Okay Liz, park your butt,” Cate says, pushing me down into a firm seat.

We’re all inside what I presume to be a minibus, which is now on the move. I lift my hand, unable to bear the suspense. I really want to peek.

“No you don’t,” Mum slaps my hand down.

“Here Liz, drink this.” Cate places a wine size bottle in my hand.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Just rosé, now get it down your neck.”

I lift the bottle and take a gulp. Yes, it’s rosé, but it’s not the good stuff I’m used to, like Adrien’s. It sets my stomach lining on fire.

The bus stops. They all twitter and fluster out as I nervously wait. God, I hope this isn’t a flipping strip club. I don’t want a man’s bits wafting in my face tonight. I swear if that happens, I’m going home. My party or not, I’m not going to degrade myself.

I’m helped outside, listening to high heels clopping all around me.

“Lizzy, there’s a step in front of you.” Mum grips my elbows.

I carefully hoist my feet over, and the wind suddenly vanishes. I’m inside… somewhere.

“Can I take this off now?” I yell over all the girly giggling.

“In one minute,” Sara’s voice calls.

“Shit!” Music. Loud music that makes me jump out of my skin.

I feel the blindfold being untied. I blink several times, unable to see clearly. What the hell. I’m at The Mill, and right in front of my face there’s a tall shiny dance pole. In fact, there’s one been put up for each of us.

“This is going to be so much fun,” Cate squeals. “We have our own private DJ, all the booze in the world, and I’ve so wanted one of these.” She flirts and fingers her pole.

Mum begins to bump and grind against the chrome. Normally, I’d be furiously embarrassed, but she’s waving her ass everywhere, and I’m in stitches laughing at her. My belly hurts so much.

Kim and Clare join her as hysterical tears roll down my face.

“Here.” Sara hands me a red layered cocktail.

“What is it?” I yell over the song, Jubel.

“It’s a Bloody Knight,” she smiles.

“Okay.” I study it, pondering whether it contains real blood.

“It’s Jägermeister, with raspberry balls,” she insists. “Give me some credit.” I take a sip and my taste buds dance. “Told you.” She walks back to the bar, proudly.

Holy crap, this pole dancing business is so much fun. I think I’m actually very good at it. Whirling and twirling to all my favourite music. I’m having such a good time. Though, I’ve had to take my shoes off now, much easier to spin in bare feet.

The music changes. It’s gone all guitars and rock. This is great for the little routine Mum and I are working on; a few hair flicks and bends.
Oops,
I giggle as Mum slides down on her butt.

The volume is suddenly turned low. Cate and Kim quickly exit the bar whispering, and I know something’s going on. Okay, why are they all standing still by the bar, sniggering at me?

There’s a knock, well a bang from the entrance doors. I sway all tipsy with a puckered brow. Again a louder rattle occurs, like someone’s trying to break in. Should I be worried here?

“You’re going to have to get that Lizzy,” Mum yells next to Sara, who’s sitting on the bar swinging her legs.

Oh god, they’re all in on this. Standing there waiting for my shame to overflow. I don’t want to open the damn door now.

“You really shouldn’t keep them waiting Liz… go open the door,” Cate screams at me.

They all begin to chant, “Open the door. Open the door.”

Crap. I spin unsteadily, and prepare myself to be faced with a slicked up spray tanned fireman, and his ten foot python.

I hobble as the door rattles again.

“Can you open up please,” a husky American voice calls.

The bloody door is unlocked anyway. God this is so cheesy, blooming drunken roleplay with a stripper. Could this not get anymore tacky?

I open the door slightly and squint. Holy crap. Tis no fireman, it is my first ever major crush standing there, leaning against the doorframe. A very believable lookalike of one gorgeous Dean Winchester: the jacket, hair, boots, the whole damn package. Okay, I can’t speak right now. In fact, I can’t blink. Is he the real deal, and should I get his autograph? Nah, he can’t be.

I hear Cate giggling behind me as all the girls wolf whistle. I close my eyes, burning up fast.

“I hear you got a problem,” he says, bobbing his brows up and down.

Oh god, I feel like such an idiot. But to hell with it, I’ll play along.