Page 86 of Beautiful Noise
After we pulled up to the VIP entrance, I turned off the engine, letting the silence settle in the car for a brief moment. Kori sat beside me, one hand rested in her lap, the other pressed into the side of the seat while she stared at the building.
“You good?” I asked with my eyes glued to her profile. The apprehension in her expression mirrored the last few times we shared the spotlight.
“I hate this part. Those people are like vultures ready to attack, maim, and kill.” She exhaled a sigh, biting her lower lip.
I reached over and brushed a finger down the side of her face. “Fuck them. It’s just you and me.” She smiled and nodded, so I got out while the valet approached, casually nodding as he moved out of the way when I reached her door. She hesitated, glancing at the mob of paparazzi waiting just beyond theentrance. I could sense her tension from the memories of their cruel comments, but again, fuck them. I blocked the view of everyone but myself and extended a hand which she accepted.
“Stay close to me.”
I turned back to the valet, handing over the keys, then took Kori’s hand, leading her toward the chaos of cameras and flashing lights.
As we stepped onto the curb, their voices fired off like guns.
“Eccentric! Kori! Over here!” The flashes sparked like tiny fireworks. I felt her stiffen beside me and I instinctively stepped closer, shielding her from the barrage of questions and greedy lenses.
“Don’t hide. Let them see how fucking beautiful you are,” I murmured, turning slightly to ensure she felt protected. I could hear the clicks of the cameras firing back to back.
“How’d you do it, Kori? How did you get Eccentric to give you more than one night?” a reporter shouted.
“Are you two serious?” another added and she tensed until I pulled her in closer.
“Very fucking serious so be careful with those questions!” I sent a warning glare to the woman who asked the first one and tightened my grip on Kori’s hand. The entire time we navigated through the mob of reporters, my pulse raced with the need to protect the woman beside me. I had done this a million times, but with her, it felt different. She deserved peace and I would do everything in my power to provide that peace.
As we approached the entrance with the music thumping from within the club, I stole a glance at Kori. Her lips curled into a reluctant smile. “Veryfucking serious?”
“You telling me we’re not?”
Her smile expanded and she shook her head.
After being greeted by security, we moved through the door and my guys who were already inside flanked us. One in frontand one in back. I never left places like this to chance and I damn sure wouldn’t while having Kori with me.
A pulsating rhythm of bass-heavy music vibrated through the air. The dimly-lit interior was a blend of deep, rich colors, blues, silvers, and blacks. There were clusters of people moving chaotically but in sync. The lower level bar illuminated with neon lights that highlighted the space and all the high-end bottles that would be empty by the end of the night. Beautiful chaos.
“We’re up there.”
“I guess it pays to be connected.”
“For you, yes.” I kissed her neck. “Come on.”
We navigated through the crowd. Jon cleared a path but multiple people still spoke, stole pictures, and tried to get my attention. What had me most amused was some folks vying for Kori’s also. They recognized her as Bleu and were shouting and pointing.
Just before we reached the entrance to our VIP lounge I leaned to speak into her ear. “I know you hear that don’t you,Bleu.”
She lifted her eyes and smiled. “One person.”
“Nah, baby that was more than one person. Looks like I’m the one connected.” I winked and let my guys know they could relax for now. As soon as we crossed into VIP, Leijah damn near knocked my lady on her ass when she rushed her with a hug. The greeting meant I would be in the background while Kori and Leijah enjoyed the night with me as a second thought. I had no complaints, Kori was mine, and sharing her every once in a while was doable.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Kori.
“Lei, Clay is looking for you,” Ezren called out when he approached from behind. I felt the security of his hard frame at my back and smiled.
“Is he or are you trying to steal my girl?” I glanced at my man over my shoulder, amused by the scowl that took over his handsome face.
“Yourgirl?”
“Yes, my girl, and before you go all psycho possessive, our claims to her are very different but, she is in fact mine too now.” Leijah blew him a kiss then swung her eyes around the club.