Secrets Collide (Bluegrass Brothers) by Kathleen Brooks Read Free Book Online Page A

mysterious side. The question was, should she trust him or not? He made a pretty compelling argument for why she should go with him. Cy was dangerous looking in that sexy sort of way. The man who was after them was dangerous in an I’m-going-to-kill-you way.
    Gemma finally looked around and realized they were close to the posh part of downtown. “Where are we going?”
    “To my apartment. I need to get some things.”
    “I’m not going up to your place with you? Are you crazy? I still haven’t decided if you’re an axe murderer or not.” Cy was so the type of man her mom had warned her about. Sexy, confident, and he probably had a motorcycle, too.
    Cy just laughed. It was a low deep rumble that had her biting her lip. He was definitely the man her mother had warned her about. “That’s fine. You’ll be safe downstairs,” he answered as he slowed to a walk.
    Gemma looked down at her sweaty shirt and ran a hand through her damp hair. Hotshot over there didn’t even have a bead of sweat on his body. “What’s downstairs?”
    “A club. The bouncer inside can watch you.”
    “You live above a club?”
    “Yeah. I’m not home much, so the bouncers look after the place when I’m gone and I help them out sometimes when they need it. Works out pretty well,” Cy explained.
    They rounded the corner and Gemma stopped in her tracks. A long line of young women in sky-high heels and short to nonexistent skirts stood around as they talked and applied makeup. Cars and vans belonging to paparazzi lined the street and flash bulbs brightened the night sky. “This isn’t just a club, this is the freaking Le Vue. It’s the hottest and hardest club to get into. Trust me, I know. I tried more than once to get into that VIP section.”
    “Yeah, well, I guess you didn’t have the right connections.” Cy’s cocky smile reappeared and Gemma rolled her eyes.
    Oh, she had made it in, but it hadn’t been easy and she didn’t know the number of people she flashed in her trashy getup. But it had been worth it. She had gotten information about one of the giant movie companies paying off the most respected review critic in the industry. During her investigation, she discovered that the movie companies bought almost all of his reviews, even though he touted himself as completely independent.
    “Squeeee!”
    Gemma cringed at the high-pitched screech and Fred popped his head out of the bag and growled at the woman in knee-high leather boots and a micro-mini running over to him.
    “Cy!” The woman flipped her long hair over her shoulder and threw herself on him. Her bright red lips left a perfect imprint on his cheek as the flashbulbs from the paparazzi went wild. Wait, Gemma knew who that was. That was the actress from the summer’s big chick flick, Summer Island .
    “Hey, Autumn,” Gemma heard Cy say. Autumn Hayes moved to block Gemma out now.
    “I heard you were leaving L.A. for some Podunk town in the South. Want a going-away present?” Autumn dropped her voice when she asked her question and Gemma felt a little annoyed, somewhat jealous, and totally dumpy as she stood in her damp shirt, jeans, and trashed hair. Not to mention the woman with her exposed back and long tan legs was a knockout, rich, and famous. How could anyone not feel self-conscious being ignored by that?
    “Actually, Gemma and I were on our way up to my place for a bit. But, thank you. If you’re ever in Podunk, let me know.”
    “Gemma who? Is she that new actress on that action movie you just finished?” Autumn put her hands on her hips and looked around the crowd.
    Cy leaned around Autumn and grabbed Gemma’s hand. “This is Gemma. It was nice seeing you again.” Gemma let Cy drag her past the stunned starlet and through the VIP entrance. He ducked behind the bar and into the kitchen before stopping. “Do you want to stay here or go up with me?”
    Well, if Autumn Hayes was about to go upstairs with him, it couldn’t be that bad, right?