Chapter 14
Wicked Game
I stay in the bath longer than I probably should, but I’m trying to wrap my head around what on earth just happened.
This night has been insane. From me dancing on the main stage and having a ball doing it, to Cruz showing up again, and whatever that was with, I think, Jagger.
If it wasn’t him, it was someone who sounded just like him.
The truth is, I don’t want to get out because then I have to go home and face reality.
And after tonight, I’m not sure what that looks like.
Will Cruz have thrown all my stuff out and locked me out of the apartment in a furious huff, or am I going to have to deal with him while he goes all psycho on me because I didn’t listen to him?
And then there is Jagger. How do I look him in the eyes again now that I know what his jizz tastes like and he’s seen me completely naked?
Ahh, how did I get myself into this mess in less than a week in this town?
There are three reasons, three brothers, that are causing chaos in my life.
Once I’m wrinkled to a prune, I let out the water and step out of the bath, catching sight of my reflection in the mirror.
Grabbing a plush towel, I stare back at my reflection.
My hair is frizzy and all messed up, my make-up is smudged, my cheeks are pink, but my eyes are the brightest blue I have ever seen them.
I look alive again after feeling dead inside for so long.
With a warm washcloth, I wipe away what’s left of my make-up then dry myself off and head back into the room to find my lingerie.
I find my bra, but no cute ribbon tie-up panties.
I move some of the covers and pillows, but nothing.
Did the dirty bastard keep them as a souvenir? It sure looks that way.
I find the dress and jacket I came here in this afternoon and put them all back on, since it will be cold out.
Then I head out of the room with my heels and stockings in my hands.
I rush through the back halls and straight into the dressing rooms. Another couple of girls are in here getting changed, but they don’t pay me any attention.
I pop open my locker and exchange the heels I’m holding for my sneakers.
Then I take the cash I stashed in here earlier and my phone.
“You coming for a drink before you head home?” one of the other girls, Bea I think her name is, asks, smiling at me.
“Maybe another night.” I return her smile.
“No worries, you’re probably exhausted. It takes a few weeks to get used to the shifts.”
“Yeah,” I lie. Truth is, I’m buzzing with electricity. I just don’t feel like drinking or hanging out with my co-workers.
Just like last night, when I turn around, Asher is waiting in the doorway for me, that damn cheeky smile that melts panties. “Chauffeur Stryker, at your service.” He does a little bow for me, and I can’t help but laugh.
I stare up at him, wondering if he can see what I just did written all over my face.
I really hope not, or this car ride home is going to be awkward.
As we walk out of the VIP lounge, he wraps an arm around my shoulders.
I can almost feel his nervous tension. Last night didn’t just shake me up but him as well.
I wonder if he should even be driving today, that bump still looks nasty.
Lee follows us out and stands in the doorway, watching over us.
We dash through the parking lot and get straight into his BMW. As soon as we’re both safely inside, he locks the car and fires up the engine.
“Was Cruz super pissed when you asked him to leave?” I ask after we’re traveling safely down the road.
“Oh, you have no idea. It took Sloane to talk some sense into him. Even then, he left ready for a fight. Luckily, he was meeting his trainer down at the gym, to get rid of all that crazy. He has a big comp next week. You think Cruz is crazy? This guy is like fucked in the head; it’s going to be epic. ”
“What kind of fighting does he do exactly?” I don’t really want to imagine it, but his Instagram page shows some of it. It’s almost hard to believe the same sweet guy who comforted me and showered me this morning is the same brutal beast who fights for sport.
“Cage fighting.”
My mouth opens, but it takes me a second to respond. “I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”
“Probably not. If you did have the stomach for it, you would be impressed. He’s unbeatable.” Asher smiles at me softly. “I know it’s shitty he’s being so overprotective of you, but he can’t help it.”
I sigh heavily. “Jagger told me what happened to your mother. I’m sorry, Ash, last night must have brought shit back up for you as well. But you both have to know I’m not her and this is different.”
“I know it is. But Cruz, he’s just sensitive when it comes to The Raven’s Nest. He holds so much guilt about what happened to our poor mom. Thinks if he had just been there, he could have saved her.”
“That’s sad.” A sickness washes over me for him. I couldn’t even imagine how terrible that guilt must feel like.
“Jagger and I know better. It wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment attack. It was ordered by a powerful family, and we both know there is no escaping them.” The way he looks at me makes my stomach churn because I know who he’s talking about. The Morettis.
I point to my chest as if to say me. “My husband’s family had something to do with it?”
“The family you married into had a lot to do with the destruction of our town. But so did our father. He was a fucking piece of shit and should have protected her, but he was too busy trying to line his pockets.”
“Forced to marry,” I correct him. “I know what that’s like. Money wins over everything in this world. Love doesn’t exist. Your poor mother.”
He smiles sympathetically. “Maybe that’s why Cruz is taking this so personally and wants to protect you from this life; you’ve been through enough.”
“I’m not his problem to worry about,” I whisper almost to myself, not wanting to get into how bad it was with Valentine. But maybe I had more in common with his mother than I originally thought.
The rest of the car ride is kind of quiet, and I get the impression I’m missing something.
Both Asher and Jagger are protective of Cruz and like to downplay how psycho he is, but I’m not going to.
We need a serious chat after tonight. We pull up in the underground parking, and I hurry to get out of the car before Asher can get the door.
It’s sweet how he likes to be all chivalrous, but it’s totally unnecessary.
“Thanks for the lift. I guess I’ll catch you at work tomorrow.
” I throw him a quick smile, ready to rush off to the elevator.
“Nah, it’s your lucky night. I’m coming up. Cruz and Jagger have…” He stops talking and looks me over. “I’m going to hang with you until the boys get home.”
My eyebrow pops up. “Unnecessary, you got me home safe. I’ve got it from here. I’m not one of those girls who are scared to be alone at night, you know.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and moves me through the garage toward the elevator. “I know you love your independence, but I’m sorry, little princess, you’re stuck with me. Boss’s orders. And we both know how much of a grump he can be when we don’t follow his demands.”
“Jagger?” I grumble, my cheeks heating at the thought of me falling apart when I wasn’t supposed to tonight. And his punishment after.
He nods as the two of us get into the elevator, a brow raised. “What put that look on your face and made your cheeks so pink?” He smirks.
“Nothing,” I mutter, casting my gaze at the floor of the elevator. That is not a conversation I want to have with Asher.
“Yeah, okay.” His light laughter vibrates through the small space, and I know he doesn’t believe me.
Why would Jagger put him on babysitting duties tonight? I can’t help but wonder if it has something to do with the message he got while I was sucking his cock. That’s if it even was him. It’s messing with my brain not knowing.
I let us in, and Asher locks the door behind us. “You hungry? Or want a drink?” he asks.
“I could eat,” I agree, moving through to the kitchen, popping open the fridge to find some milk, then I go to the cupboard and pull out a box of cereal.
When I got back from work yesterday, the pantry was full, and so was the fridge.
I don’t know if it was Cruz or Jagger who stocked it, but I was surprised to say the least.
Asher looks at me, disgusted. “Cereal?”
“What’s wrong with cereal?” I take a seat at the breakfast bar and pour the milk over my bowl full of cereal.
Asher takes a bowl from the cupboard and comes to sit beside me. “Nothing, I guess.”
“So, you’re just going to hang around this place until the boys get home?” I ask, things now awkward between us, and I’m not sure why.
“I’m sure we could think of a few things to kill the time.” He raises a suggestive eyebrow, his eyes lighting up.
I glare at him, deadpan. “Not going to happen, Ash.” As much as I wish it would, Sloane’s warning to him still rings way too clearly in my ears.
He holds up his spoon in defense. “Okay, thought it was worth a try.” He smirks cheekily, unaffected by my rejection.
Something in it makes him look sexy as all hell, maybe the way his hair hangs over his eye right now or maybe it’s the shirt unbuttoned at the top that has ink peeping out.
I have no idea what it is, all I know is my lady parts are sitting up and taking notice.
I’m sure Asher could finish the job my mystery man started.
I can’t help but laugh at him, partly to try to ease the electricity now zapping through the air. “Are you like this with all the girls from the club?”
“Like what?”
“All flirty? Is that why Sloane told you to stay away from me?” I know I shouldn’t ask it, but I can’t stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth either.