Read The Bride Star for Free Online

yourself out.”
    “Did you hire a dancer named Mark Battaglia?”
    Rayne nodded. “Yes. He’s my best dancer. He’s the one I partner with in my shows.”
    Hannah clapped her hands. “I knew he’d make it. We used to dance together on occasion.”
    Rayne refrained from voicing her opinion about the woman’s ill-placed excitement.
    “Sorry.” Hannah set Rayne’s boots in the wardrobe and then closed it.
    Victoria handed her a glass of water. Rayne took it and peered at it.
    “It’s not drugged, I promise.” Victoria smiled again. “Are you hungry at all?”
    “No.” Rayne sighed and took a sip of the water. “I do need to use the restroom though.”
    Victoria nodded toward the chamber pot back sitting on the bed.
    “You were serious?” Rayne gagged. “That means the bowl at the prison was…”
    Victoria frowned. “Yes.”
    “ Disgusting !” Rayne hissed.
    “I’m really sorry, Rayne.”
    Rayne chewed the inside of her cheek. “I’m going to be sick.”
    Hannah handed her the clean bowl.
    When Rayne’s stomach calmed, she looked at the women. “What do I do now?”
    “For now, try to relax,” Hannah said.
    “Riiiight.”
    Victoria squeezed her shoulder. “We know it’s a lot to take in, but you’re going to be fine. Hannah and I will do everything we can to help you through this. You’re welcome to stay here, or at my place when it’s finished, for as long as you like.”
    Rayne glanced up at her. “This isn’t your home?”
    “No, it’s mine. Although, Victoria’s southern charm has taken over.” Hannah snorted. “She can’t help herself.”
    “Quincy and I are renovating our home a few blocks from here,” Victoria explained. “It should be done in a week or so. With indoor plumbing, I might add.”
    “Lovely,” Rayne droned.
    Victoria smiled. “Why don’t we leave you alone, so you can change? You really need to rest. If Jared put GHB in your water, you’ll probably be groggy for several hours.”
    “I didn’t think he’d do something like that. I’ve known him for years.” Rayne dropped her head onto the back of the chair.
    Victoria leaned against the mattress. “Would you like to take a bath?”
    “Showers haven’t been invented yet, right?”
    “Unfortunately, no.” Victoria sighed. “But, you’ll get used to baths. They’re kind of nice.”
    Rayne sighed. “I would like to get this make-up off my face.”
    Victoria chuckled. “I think it looks great.”
    “Thanks. It’s theater grade, though, and really heavy.” Rayne scraped her eyelid gently. “Plus, these eyelashes are driving me nuts.”
    “I’ll organize some food,” Hannah offered. “And have a bath sent up.”
    “Thanks, HoBo,” Victoria said.
    Hannah left the room and Rayne glanced at Victoria. “HoBo? Did she used to jump trains and carry a bandana tied to a stick?”
    Victoria laughed and waved a hand dismissively. “An old nickname, I’ll tell you about it when you’re not so shell-shocked.”
    Rayne smoothed her hand over her pants. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
    Victoria’s eyebrows puckered. “What do you mean?”
    “Nothing. Just forget I said anything.”
    “Tell me,” Victoria prodded gently. “You can be honest.”
    “In my line of work, people aren’t nice to me for no reason.” Rayne pinched the bridge of her nose. “There’s usually a catch.”
    Victoria cocked her head to the side. “I know a little about people stealing pieces of you, but you’re safe here. There aren’t any expectations.”
    “For now, perhaps.”
    Victoria smiled. “Take advantage of the fact that no one here knows who you are. You can reinvent yourself.”
    “I don’t want to reinvent myself, Victoria. I want to go home.” Rayne stood and began to pace. “I love my life. I love singing. I don’t know how to do anything else. I just want to go home.”
    “Well, perhaps we can find a way for you to go back.”
    A knock at the door brought the housekeeper with a tray of