Over My Head Read Online Free

screaming?”
    “I blocked him out.” Astra pulled the zipper up on her jacket. “Ready?”
    Nodding, Judy stood. Together, Astra and Judy went out into the slushy parking lot. There they could use their real names, not the stage names. The melting ice crunched under their feet. Judy, otherwise known as Jude, stopped a few feet from Astra’s Mazda.
    “What?”
    “Since when does your car blink?”
    “Blink?”
    “The little red light by the licence plate.” Jude nodded.
    Astra stared at her beater car. Sure enough, a red light winked at her from the bumper. A camera? Something more sinister? Tiny meant business when he sent threats. Would he really kill her because they’d broken up? Or did he know something she didn’t?
    She glanced at Jude’s car. No blinking. She placed her hand on Jude’s arm.
    “You think something’s wrong with my car?”
    Astra tugged Jude close. “Something’s up. I can feel it.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I trust Slade. Let him look at it.”
    Jude nodded. “Hey, Slade. Can you come over here a moment? We need your help.”
    “Not so obvious,” Astra muttered, inwardly impressed by Jude’s quick thinking.
    “Girls.” Slade’s footsteps crunched on the ice. “Did you both lock yourselves out?”
    “Yeah,” Jude stammered. “I did…again. Blonde moment. Can you give me a ride home?”
    Astra tipped her head in the direction of the light.
    “Sure.” Slade’s gaze followed her gesture. “Astra, you shouldn’t lock your keys in your car. Silly girl.” He opened his arms. “Let’s get into my car. It’s nice and warm.”
    Instead of climbing in the front, Astra slid into the backseat beside Jude. Slade rounded the trunk and opened the driver’s side door. When he settled in his seat and put the car into gear, Astra allowed herself to breathe a little easier.
    “Talk to me.” Slade’s no-nonsense voice cut through her panic attack. He stared at them through the rear view mirror. “Spill it.”
    “There’s a light on Astra’s car and I thought it was a bomb and it freaked me out and I was afraid we’d get blown up,” Jude said in a rush.
    Slade considered them, one brow arched a little higher than the other.
    “She’s right.” Astra threw her arm around Judy. “Jude saw it first.”
    “Jude?”
    “My stage name is Judy. My name is Jude.” Jude folded her arms and huddled next to Astra.
    “Okay. We’ll head to the apartment. Jude, I’m sure the light was something inane. Don’t worry about it, you got me?”
    The commanding tone in Slade’s voice vibrated up and down Astra’s spine as they sped through the city. Silly thoughts entered her head. Would he sound so in control if they made love? Would he want to make love with her after the incident in the dressing room?
    Why was she worried about making love when her life very well could be at stake? She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Damned overactive and underused libido.
    Slade came to a stop in the parking lot. He pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed the buttons. Pings and musical notes sang out with each tap. He glanced up and stared at Jude and Astra in the rear view mirror. “Jude, hon, go on in like nothing happened. I’ll keep an eye on you, but you should be fine. Ross is working security tonight and I see him there in the doorway. He’ll help you out, too.”
    She nodded weakly and gathered her bag. “Bye Astra. See you Tuesday night.” Without a backward glance, Jude climbed out of the car, slammed the door then hurried across the lot to where Ross Malsam was standing.
    Astra settled into her seat. Jude was safe. Ross kept a close eye on the girls and went above and beyond to protect them. Perfect. When she looked towards the front of the car, her breath clogged in her throat. Once again, Slade stared at her through the rear-view mirror.
    “I’m going to have the car impounded.” The sentence came out so matter-of-fact. So…cold.
    Astra averted her gaze.