Page 48 of Heartbeat Girl

“Yes,” the worker answered in a monotone. Or compliant might be a better word. Who was Smooth Voice? Was he important?

Regardless, it wasmyband he asked about. I wasn’t about to let just anyone roll up in here.

Steeling my spine, I threw open the door. “You’re looking for The Oppressors?” I asked and glanced at the stranger.

His dark eyes flickered over me. He was tall and lean, like my guys. But that was where the similarities ended. His glare could cut glass. Next to him, the worker stood eerily still while his gaze remained fixed on Smooth Voice.

Alarms rang in my head.Something’s not right here.I clasped the door. Maybe I researched too much and now I suspected everything.

“And you are?” Smooth Voice’s gaze dropped to my ankle, where the Band-Aid covered my cut.Oh God. Why did his eyes suddenly seem wider and brighter?Then I saw the black spread across his pupils. He didn’t even try to hide it, but perhaps I wasn’t supposed to notice.

I looked away, trying to ground myself by counting the floor tiles. “I’m The Oppressor’s manager. How can I help you?”

His twitchy movements read dangerous. Like someone waiting to pounce.Choose your words wisely.

“You are?” My skin crawled, and my mouth tasted like cotton. “Are you a friend of theirs?”

“Oh, yeah.” He grinned. It reminded me of a shark. “We go way back.”

Getting away from him seemed like my best option. “Would you like to sit in their dressing room until they’re finished?” I held out my arm and pointed to the couch in the room.

“I loved that,” he said.

“Great. There are a few things I need to do so—”

I tensed as he trailed his finger down my neck. I whirled around.How did he get behind me? I didn’t see him move.

“Why don’t you stay here with me?” he whispered into my ear. “Why are you so afraid? Have they been mean to you?”

“You have the wrong idea.” I tried to put distance between us, but he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

“Even with your fear clouding everything else, you still smell nice.” My heart thumped so strongly I swore I’d faint.

What happened next was like a blur. Suddenly, I was yanked off my feet. Unable to steady myself, my heels skittered on the slick floor. When I turned, I came face-to-face with Liam. I reached for the doorknob and watched Liam pin the stranger to the wall. His mouth opened and fangs revealed. But Smooth Voice had his own, baring them at Liam.

Oh. God. I’m right!

“Do you want to die?” Liam snarled.

Smooth Voice laughed. “Not like you do. Do you realize what you’ve done? They’ll kill you. She’llkill you.”

What was he talking about?

“Marilyn can’t touch us,” Liam muttered.

With a hiss, Smooth Voice threw his weight against Liam. I thought they fell to the ground, but they stood so quickly I wasn’t sure. Liam grabbed a chair and broke the leg.

“How many are with you?” Liam held up the splintered leg like a weapon.

The other vampire shrugged. “What makes you think there are others?”

“Because it would be foolish otherwise.”

“You’re right. I’m not.” The vampire’s stare slid to me.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my neck from behind. I screamed.

Liam stepped forward.