Read Online The Magic's in the Music (Magic Series Book 5) by Susan Squires - Free Book Online Page A

generous tip for the bartender. She was antsy, anxious, as well as nauseated. What was wrong with her? Was the Ghost staring at her again? She looked around the club, noting that a couple of A-listers had come in during the Ghost’s set. Damon Jones and his girlfriend—what was her name? And Suzanna Patronia with her usual entourage. They’d all be tweeting about how they’d seen the Ghost to get extra attention for themselves.
    She pushed herself off the faux-snakeskin barstool. Better get home. She had no desire to throw up in some club bathroom.
    She headed out the front door. On a deserted Tuesday night, she’d just parked in the lot.
    She hadn’t taken a single step before the flashes started going off. Shit. The A-listers had brought out the vultures. If she hadn’t been so preoccupied, she’d have realized the danger.
    “Hey, isn’t that Gretchen Falk?”
    “Hey, Gretchen, look over here.”
    “This way, honey. Strike a pose.”
    “Alone tonight or just going out different doors?”
    “I hear Anderson wants you for the Amazing franchise. Can you confirm?”
    “Gretchen! Gretchen!”
    The paparazzi weren’t alone. Fans had lined up to get in the club, even as late as it was. Cell phones must have been busy reporting the presence of the Ghost. Now they were calling her name, holding out hands, wanting to touch her. Everyone surged against the velvet ropes in her direction. This was the downside of the movie business. The two security guys usually out front had been reinforced with two others, but they had their hands full. If she could just get to her car… Greta tried to still her pounding heart and find some balance. She felt dizzy. How could she have been surprised like this? She knew better. But now there was no avoiding them. If she managed to hail a cab, she’d still have to make it through the crowd to reach the street. Just get to your car. She hunched one shoulder and pushed along the sidewalk toward the parking lot, protected on one side by the wall of the club.
    Unfortunately, the crowd surged after her. The creeps with the cameras pushed up into her face, shouting. As she made it around the corner of the building they enveloped her like a wave. Panic made it hard to get her breath. She hugged her purse to her chest as the cameras and cell phones flashed and video whirred. Don’t get upset . That’s how those horrible pictures of angry or fearful faces got on supermarket check-out stands everywhere, but she just couldn’t help the panic. Now some guys reached out for her. Fans? She gave a little shriek and looked around wildly. Everyone was pressing so close she couldn’t get through. Her car might as well have been in Nebraska. Her anxiety ramped up until she lost it.
    “Leave me alone,” she wailed.
    “Just one more.” “Have a drink with me.” “Over here.” “Who’s the guy in your life?”
    Where was the guy with the scar when she needed him? The cacophony swirled around her. Hands touched her. Blinding flashes stabbed at her. She thought she might faint. She lost her balance. Her knees hit the pavement and she gave a little cry. They were all looming over her, hands reaching out for her. Then she heard the snarl of an engine.
    *
    Lanyon heard the shouting from the parking lot just as he was slinging his leg over the Harley. Fight? He’d better go out the other way. He turned the motor over and revved the engine. Jesus, he felt like shit. Ahead, at the other end of the alleyway, he could see the traffic cruising by on Sunset Boulevard. At least he could avoid the front of the club with its crowds and the possibility he’d be recognized, or that someone would manage to tail him. He was pretty good at using the narrow alleys of Hollywood to avoid attention. Out to Sunset, then off immediately—just to make sure he wasn’t followed. As he turned his bike, the nausea hit him again, hard.
    He leaned over, hoping not to hit his knees with vomit. Through all the noise from the