Free Revenge #4 by JJ Knight

they’re here.
    Great.
    Marley shrugs up her shoulders and runs over to me, squealing. She leaps on the couch and hugs me. “It’s so good to see you again, Jess!”
    Her red hair flies everywhere, sticking to my lip gloss and tickling my nose.
    Her more reserved sister, Bianca, waves politely. Bianca takes a seat on an ornate chair.
    “Marley and Bianca,” I say, looking them both over. They’re wearing layers of feathery, gauzy clothes. Both look amazing from head to toe.
    Dylan is busy for the moment checking out the food trolley. I try to hide my disappointment that he brought company.
    I smile at the girls. “I love your turquoise jewelry. You guys look amazing. Are you… rushing off to a gig tonight?”
    Marley settles back on the sofa next to me. She stretches her arms along the sofa back, like she’s not going anywhere.
    “No gig, but we just came from a photo shoot with Mr. Wolf,” Marley says.
    Dylan pops the champagne open. “Don’t call me Mr. Wolf.” He pours champagne into four glasses. “You make me sound like the bad guy in a fairy tale.” He looks right at me, his dark brown eyes sending a tickle down my spine. “Mr. Wolf sounds like someone who devours innocent young girls.”
    I smile back at him sweetly. “Doesn’t sound like anyone I know.”
    Bianca gets up from her chair and helps distribute the tall glasses of champagne.
    “That’s some black dress you’re wearing,” Dylan growls at me. “No little red riding hood today?”
    “My riding hood must have fallen off in the forest, on my way here.”
    He jumps over the back of the sofa facing mine. He lands on his feet on the firm cushions, then on his butt.
    The twins squeal about him spilling champagne. He hasn’t spilled a drop. He takes a sip, his eyes on me over the glass.
    “Congratulations,” I say, tipping mine back.
    Marley rifles through the pictures I’ve dropped on the floor. “What’s with all the photos?”
    “That’s nothing.” I snatch them from her hands. “Boring work stuff.” I push everything into my bag. I can ask Dylan about the photo and Q as soon as we’re alone.
    Marley declares that she’s famished, and starts raiding the trolley for food.
    For the next hour, we eat and drink, celebrating Dylan’s deal. I find out why they were all at a photo shoot together. Morris Music signed a deal with Marley and Bianca, as well. Not a huge deal like Dylan’s, but they’re planning to go on tour with him.
    As we talk about the tour, Dylan barely takes his eyes off me. I would be jealous over the idea of him spending more time with the redheads, but he’s not even looking at them.
    The words of Mr. Morris echo in my head. I push them away by thinking about Q. Something tells me the game isn’t over yet.
    By nine o’clock, I’m getting annoyed. Dylan and the girls pass around his guitar. They trade off playing songs, talking about working together on something. We’re on the third bottle of champagne, brought up by room service.
    I give Dylan a special look, my eyes wide and unwavering.
    He puts down the guitar and says, “Girls, I can spring for a room down the hall for you, but I have bad news. You’re not spending the night with Jess.”
    Thankfully, the girls take a hint and start to leave.
    We all hug goodbye, and they tell me we’re going to have so much fun.
    I practically shove them out the door.
    Once they’re gone, I collapse on the couch. Dylan walks over to where I’m sitting.
    I feel a gentle pressure in his silence now. The last time we were alone together, he basically said he loved me. I didn’t say it back.
    He leans over me. I pucker my lips to kiss him. He scoops his arms under my legs and around my back, and picks me up.
    “Dylan,” I whisper.
    “You don’t have to say anything.” He gazes down into my eyes as he walks us over to the bed. “You’re my inspiration. My angel. My good luck charm. You’re my everything. I should have said no to the girls coming over, but