Shiver (Night Roamers #2)
Kristen Middleton
Prologue
Hip hop music pulsated throughout the dark club as Ashley followed Jenny through its crowd of undulating bodies. Both girls were heading towards the bar where Jenny was set on buying her first “Sex on the Beach” using her new fake driver’s license. Both seventeen-year-olds had received them from “Creepy” Curt Hammer before seventh period gym class the day before. Curt could get anything and everything you needed.
For a price.
His price wasn’t yet known to the girls, but his presence at the club tonight would be certain. He’d practically begged them to show.
“Don’t forget to meet me outside of the V.I.P. lounge at Club Nightshade, ten o’clock,” he’d reminded them as they were leaving Jenny’s locker earlier in the day.
Jenny had gushed with excitement. “Are you freakin’ serious, Curt? How in the hell did someone like you pull that off?”
“Let’s just say I have friends in high places,” he’d replied with a tight smile.
Nightshade was a brand new club that had opened in Shore Lake. Everyone at school was hyped about it. Tuesdays were officially “Teen Night”, but weekends were supposed to be off the hook. If you could find a way to get in, you’d have the chance to experience some really intense partying. Now, it was almost ten o’clock as Ashley held onto Jenny’s belt loop, trying not to lose her friend through the tangle of bodies. Before they cleared the packed crowd, however, someone grabbed her by the elbow, forcing her to stop, breaking her connection with Jenny.
“Jenny!” she called to her friend, who was already disappearing through the rowdy crowd.
“Hey, sweet-thing, how about a dance?” a deep voice rasped into her ear.
She turned towards the guy and swallowed.
Scary.
His bald head was covered with skull tattoos and he had a single silver ball pierced just below his bottom lip. His breath reeked of liquor and something more pungent than cigarettes.
She stepped back and swallowed. “Um…no, but thanks, anyway.”
He scowled. “Why not? You think you’re too special or something?”
She shook her head, vehemently. “No… please… I’m just trying to follow my friend.”
“Your loss,” he grunted.
Very doubtful, she thought, noticing the long, ragged scar under his chin. He was definitely trouble.
Ashley turned around and pushed through more bodies until she reached Jenny, who was already at the bar.
“Oh, there you are. I ordered for you,” said Jenny, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ashley flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and smiled. “Okay, thanks.”
“What happened to you? I thought I’d lost you,” she asked.
“Some guy tried asking me to dance,” replied Ashley.
Jenny’s eyes lit up. “Was he hot?”
Before Ashley could answer, the guy in question parked himself onto the stool right next to them.
“This seat taken?” he asked with an arrogant smile.
Jenny shrugged. “Actually, we aren’t staying, so you can do whatever you want with it.”
He took a swig of his beer. “Why not? I bet you could use some company.”
“We’re not looking for it,” Jenny replied.
He smiled coldly. “You know, it isn’t safe in a club like this for two little girls such as yourselves. It can be pretty dangerous if you’re not careful.”
The bartender interrupted before either girl could respond. He slid their drinks across the bar and said, “Drinks are on the house. Also, the V.I.P. is upstairs. They’re waiting for you.”
Jenny and Ashley looked at each other and smiled in delight. Not only had they scored big in getting into the nightclub, but they were also guests in the V.I.P. lounge.
It was, a dream come true.
“That guy was a total loser,” whispered Jenny as he finally took the hint and moved towards another conquest, a bleached blond cougar, sitting alone at the other end of the bar.
Ashley nodded, relieved that he’d moved on. Something had been really off about that guy, making her skin crawl.
Jenny took a sip of her drink and motioned for Ashley to follow her up the stairs. When they reached the top, Curt was standing outside of what appeared to be a private room.
“Good, you made it,” he said, looking at little tense.
“Hell yeah we made it,” replied Jenny, taking another drink of her cocktail. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Lead the way, Jenny,” said Curt, waving her in.
“Don’t mind if I do,” she said, stepping through the entrance.
“Mm…you’re looking really hot, Ashley,” murmured Curt.
She shivered as his beady eyes raked over tight shimmery black dress. “Well, ah…thanks, Curt.”
His eyes stared unabashedly at her cleavage. “After you,” he said, holding the door open.