Free Silverthorn by Sydney Bristow Page B

desperately wanted one, or because she would be a wily ally against Darius since she could read minds, push thoughts into those around her, and move objects with her mind.
    “You looking for Alexis?” asked the bouncer, putting a hand in his pocket and adjusting his erection through his pants. “Damn, girl. You got some hot shit going on.”
    I ignored him, barely able to contain my revulsion. “Is she still scheduled to go on? Or is she done for the day?”
    He looked at me, incredulous. “Seriously?”
    “Yeah. What’s the problem?”
    “Problem? There ain’t no problem.” He stepped aside and jerked a thumb toward the stage. “She’s on right now.”
    I looked in the direction he pointed. Shocked, my mouth hung open. My sister did a fantastic job of transforming herself into a naughty schoolgirl.
    “Hey, I catch your drift,” he said, nodding at my expression. “I’m due for a break. You open for business? I got a hundred coming your way. You know, the best job…is a blow job!”
    In no mood for further sexual harassment, and without a second thought, I landed an open-handed chop into his neck. Even though it made my own neck sting, the punishment I doled out was well worth it.
    He doubled-over, grasping his throat, gurgling.
    “ Never speak to a lady like that. You hear me, you redneck punk!” I walked past him and made my way down an aisle, watching Alexis contort her body in various directions, accepting bills of various denominations. Just as the last man tucked a fifty-dollar bill into her bra, I stepped up beside him and glared at my sister.
    Shocked, she stared at me, touched her wig and adjusted it. “What’re…” Anger flashed across her face. “What’re you doing here?”
    “We need to talk. Now!”
    Seeing the seriousness in my expression, she clenched her teeth, nodded, and slanted her head toward the hallway about forty feet to my left. Then she spun around and strutted across the stage as the song ended.
    I followed opposite her, ignoring the men who stared at me as though they’d seen double, because they had, only I wasn’t about to acknowledge that fact. When I finally reached the hallway entrance, a seven-foot tall, burly black man stared at me with an uncompromising stare.
    “You just saw me speak with my sister. Please let me see her.”
    He shook his head. “That won’t happen…without word from Lexie.”
    I disregarded the man’s nickname. “Did you see me put down the bouncer at the front of the club?”
    He nodded. “Already got someone to take his place.” He gestured toward the entrance. “See for yourself.”
    “I don’t care who’s there. What I care about is seeing my sister. It’s incredibly important that I see her. Please don’t make me hurt you.”
    He cracked a smile. “Not gonna happen, sister.” Then he nodded his head behind me. “Already got some back-up.”
    I sensed more than saw two men behind me, both of whom were no doubt ready to escort me off the premises.
    At that moment, Alexis turned the corner along the red-carpeted hall, no longer wearing her wig. She had traded in her schoolgirl outfit for a t-shirt and jeans. “Hey, Tony, she’s all right. She can hang with me for a few.”
    “Can’t let that happen. She beat up on Ray.”
    Alexis put a hand on Tony’s shoulder, drawing his attention. “It’s okay.” She stared into his eyes for a few moments.
    I watched Tony’s determined gaze relax. I didn’t need my sister to tell me that she’d pushed thoughts into his mind, the kind directing him to agree with whatever she asked.
    Alexis said, “Let me and my sister chat for a bit, okay?”
    Tony broke into a wide grin. “Sure, you got it, Lexie.” He turned aside, allowing me a path to walk into the hallway.
    The only issue I had with waiting to speak with Alexis dwelled on whether or not Darius planned to send another crew of vamps after me soon. I couldn’t imagine him spending his days worrying about me, so I doubted