Chapter 7
Deuce
“I’ll see you tomorrow at noon,” I say, kissing the top of her hand.
Portia gives me a smirk and then climbs into her fancy car.
One that reminds me of Lauralyn’s back in the day—even down to its red color.
But the princess said she took the bus. That doesn’t fucking make sense.
Did her dad take her car away too? Or maybe she wrecked it and couldn’t afford another one.
There are too many fucking questions, and she wasn’t willing to give me answers to anything.
As soon as Portia pulls out, I reach for my phone.
“What’s her story, Lola?”
“What? No hello? You sound frazzled, Deuce. Is everything okay?”
No. Things are not okay. I feel like my nerves have been scorched over by a blowtorch. My blood is running so fucking hot as both anger and desire twist in my gut.
“I need to know Lauralyn’s story.”
“I knew you’d pick her,” she says with a boastful laugh. “You are so predictable, Deuce.”
I didn’t pick her. I chose Portia for the job. Why? Not because I thought she was better suited for Hemsworth, but because I couldn’t handle the thought of that man fucking the princess.
“Don’t make me ask again, Lola.”
I need my questions answered. NOW.
“Jeez. Hold your horses, rough rider. Let me just close my door. Don’t need any of the other girls hearing our conversation.”
I wait on the edge of my patience for her to do what she needs to do, hearing the noise grow silent on her end. My heart, on the other hand, is pounding so loud I can barely hear my thoughts.
“Now, what do you want to know?” She comes back on the line.
“I want to know what brought her to your club.”
“Are you going to take this to your grave, Deuce? My girls are like my daughters. I don’t want their secrets getting out.”
“You have my word, Lo. I only want to make sure there isn’t any weird shit in her past that’s going to be an issue for my client.” I hate lying to the woman, but I need the truth.
“Her father died.”
I grip my phone tighter as I brace myself against the side of the building. Damn. I wasn’t expecting that.
“She showed up in tears, looking for a job. Said her stepmother was the sole beneficiary of everything her dad owned. The woman kicked her to the curb and cut her off. Laur was going to some fancy college up north, but she had to drop out because of the cost. She enrolled in the local college here and has been working to put herself through school and finish her degree.”
My jaw clenches as I think back to the stupid remarks I made. I was a royal prick. I’m not even sure what shitty things I said to the girl. All I could think about was how much I hate her. Never would I have guessed that shit went south for her.
“What about her mom?” I ask. In all the years I went to school with the girl, I didn’t know her life story. I had no idea her parents were divorced. I’d just assumed she was living the perfect life up in that mansion of hers.
“Her mom turned into a junkie after her husband left her for the younger woman. Laur hasn’t been in touch with the woman for years. And for her sake, I hope she never speaks to the witch again.”
Fuck! How could I not fucking know any of this?
“How old was she when all this happened?”
“She was just starting middle school. Talk about a fucked-up time of your life to have to go through all that shit.” Middle school?
That was before I even met her. I wonder if that’s why she was such a bitch to me.
I wonder if her mom spun out and ended up in a trailer park.
That would explain why the princess couldn’t stand the look of me.
“But for all the shit she’s been through, Deuce, she’s a good kid. A real sweetheart. This job is going to mean the world to her. The girl works her ass off, so this money will be a lifesaver. Thanks for giving her the chance.”
“Not a problem, Lo. Hey, listen. Turns out I’m going to need two girls for the weekend. Can you handle the show without Portia and Lauralyn?”
“Two? Is someone else coming to town?”
I almost want to make up another lie, but I can’t.
“No, one’s for me. The other is for the client. I’m not interested in being the third wheel for the weekend. Plus, while we’re talking shop, the girls can keep each other company.”
She whistles low. “Those two don’t exactly like each other. But I’ll make sure they put away their differences and handle the job like professionals.”
They better, or else we’re going to have an issue and no one’s getting paid.
“So… which lucky girl is going to be your date for the weekend?”
Her voice is laced with so much suspicion I almost don’t want to answer. In truth, I shouldn’t even allow myself to be distracted this weekend with a woman. Hemsworth is my priority. But for some reason, I can’t walk away from the girl.
“Portia is my client’s exact type,” I answer.
It’s true. That girl is exactly who Hemsworth goes for.
And me—I never thought I’d want to be near the princess again, but I can’t deny that she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
If we didn’t have the shit in our past, she’d be checking off every box.
I might have even considered hanging up my bachelor card for good.
But I can’t forget the disgust I saw in her eyes, or all the shit she said.
“Let me tell you something, Deuce. Lauralyn’s been through hell and back and she’s barely still standing.
You have to promise me that you won’t ruin her.
That girl has already suffered massive heartbreak in her life.
If you want to play, you pay. But you make it damn clear what your expectations are.
Don’t go leading her on and giving her any false hope.
I don’t want her thinking you’re the marrying type, when you and I both know you aren’t. ”
“You have my word, Lola. I have no intention of leading her on. I just need her to play her part. But do me a favor. Don’t tell her she’s going to be my date for the weekend. I didn’t make the best impression this afternoon.”
A low laugh rumbles through the line. “You don’t say. Never known you to be the warm and fuzzy type, Deuce. You don’t have to worry. I’ll let you do the honors. But if you hurt her, you can consider our partnership over.”
I’m shocked that she would risk losing millions a year in business over a girl like Lauralyn Prince. That’s because she doesn’t know the girl like I do.