Mystery Bride's Revenge

Selina never thought she'd see Trevon at Starlight Club, of all places.

"Selina, why are you here? Trevon, after checking the tab at the bar, decided to downstairs to look into Charm. Someone said a woman sounding like her had gone towards the bathroom. He followed and was stump CC Selina, the woman he was married to only in

name.

As Trevon strode over, his voice was deep, the kind that could make a girl's heart do flip-flops. He had that aura about him, the kind that filled the room, made stronger with each step he took. His sharp eyes, the way his suit fit just right over a clearly fit body, and the faint whiff of tobacco from him-it was all sorts of intense and attention-grabbing

"Hanging out at Starlight Club means) Im here to have fun. Did you get my last message?" Selina asked.

"Nope, haven't checked. Fm here to find someone."

Trevon stopped close to Selina, leaning in. "You've got some blood on you" he remarked, brushing off a speck from under her earring

Selina's face barely flinched. She'd been sloppy cleaning up after the scuffle, probably because she hadn't done it for years.

His eyes narrowed, drifting to the bathroom door left cracked open. "Someone's giving you trouble?"

"He won't be anymore, Selina replied, all chill. "And Trevon, let's get this straight I'm down for this charade of living together to deal with your family drama, but don't hail on me tomorrow at the service center, 3 PM sharp. You might have to step in."

Before he could answer, Selina's phone buzzed. She glanced at it, hit answer, and started moving away. "Got another thing to handle. Catch you tomorrow. Don't fake. We'll bext."

Trevon watched her walk off and then headed into the bathroom himself. He found Kevin, looking like he'd been through a meat grinder, barely hanging on. Trevon kicked open each stall door, searching for Charm only to End them empty.

"Could it really be Selina Shes only twentyone, but is she also the famous hacker Charm from the Dark Web, who has made it to the top two years ago? he wondered. It was hard to believe. Selina was a riddle wrapped in a mystery. He couldn't let it go and made a call. Bow, what do

you need?" came the voice on the other end

"Dig deeper. Scour all our sources for anything on Selina. I want a fall brief, and I mean full, by tomorrow."

With the call done, Trevon set out to review the club's security tapes and called someone to deal with Kevin.

"Help.. Help me.." Kevin's plea was weak, his vision blurry. He reached out, desperate

But Trevon stepped back, disgust clear as day, and crushed his hand underfoot. The snap of bone was the last thing Kevin knew before everything went black

Selina ducked into a o

quies comer and picked up Lydia's call.

"What? Your band's guitarist was in a wreck on his way over! And it's serious" Selina was thrown for a loop. "So, what's the plan for the show? "Selina, we need a miracle, and that's you. You still play guitar, right?"

Lydia always brought unique gifts for Selin, among them a guitar, hoping to inspire her to find her passion. She didn't want Selina to wind up lost and without direction like Lydia did when she was left to fend for herself

In Lydia's eyes, Selina wasn't just good; she was a guitar prodigy

"Yeah, I can play. Selina paused, memories of being the Harvey family's outcast flashing through her mind. It had been forever since she played. She was scared she'd fall out of step with the hund or, worse, embarrass Lydia in front of everyone.

But no, this was her second shot at life. She was done being that underdog to the Harvey family, kinging for love..

"Count me in, Lydia" Selina's voice was full of resolve, ready to take back what the deserved.

"That's what I'm talking about Lydia's voice brightened "Tonight, well set Starlight Club on fire!"

"Let's rock"

Backstage at Starlight Club, Selina felt the room's eyes on her, judging.

The Rose's manager was a kind of pudgy, bespectacled woman in her forties who seemed nice but was pacing like a nervous wreck. She rushed over to Lydia, rattled "Lydia, if it's not a sure thing, let's cut our losses. We can work with the club to tweak the lineup and save the show. A bad set could

2:31 PM 1

kill The Rose's rep; this is no joke

"Elaine, I wouldn't bet on it if I weren't sure. Meet my friend-Selina. Shell step in for the guitar, and we'll kill it. If it bombs, I'll take the hit and bow out from The Rose, promised Lydia.

"Lydia, you're what's hot in The Rose right now, Elaine Moore sighed, handing the music sheets to Selina. "Honey, it's all on you. We've band on now, and we've got thirty minutes to gel." Elaine's voice trailed off, losing steam. got another

Thirty minutes to sync up! Most bands needed a full day minimum to vibe, especially at a place like Starlight Club, and that's with their regular lineup. For Selina to jump in last minute and nail it would be nothing short of a small wonder Selina didn't miss a beat, her eyes danced over the music, memorizing every note instantly.

"Relax, Selina," Lydia reassured her, giving a supportive pat. "You've got this. Warma in

try out this guitar!"

"Sure thing." Selina took it from Lydia. The guitar was a beauty, decked out with a fiery cloud design and strings that caught the stage lights just right. She gave a string a pluck-the sound was crisp and fiery, just how she liked it Just then, a set of twins approached.