The Devil’s Den (31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker & Mobster #38)

Prologue

Removing the bags from my trunk, I blow a piece of hair out of my face. I don’t know how I exactly manage to shut it, but I do. With my arms loaded down, I head into Troy’s apartment building.

Today’s our anniversary, and while things have been a little off this week, I can’t let the date pass by without doing something. If I did, I’m sure it would only irritate him more. Besides, Troy is the longest relationship I’ve ever had, and that deserves some recognition.

He loves it when I surprise him with gifts and loves acts of service, so setting up his apartment for a date night to celebrate should go over well. I mean, he did give me a key in case of an emergency. I’m pretty sure this counts as one.

Who knows? Maybe the reason he’s been off this week is something simple, like he’s been busy with work. Or maybe it’s something more dramatic, like he’s about to ask me to marry him.

God, do I want to get married yet?

Hell, I really haven’t thought about it.

I let myself into his place and shut the door quietly behind me. I drop the bags onto the island and go to the cabinet to grab a glass. When I move toward the fridge, I freeze and almost drop the glass. There on the floor, lying on their sides, is a pair of black heels with red bottoms.

Not only are they something I would never wear style wise, but they also look to be a size or two too big.

They aren’t mine.

They look so out of place next to my platform Vans.

“Yes, Troy, yes!” someone gasps.

The sound of skin smacking makes my stomach roll. As I fight back the urge to vomit all over the expensive shoes, I make myself walk down the hall as quietly as I can.

“Fuck yes, you feel amazing,” he grunts.

“Better than her?” the female asks.

“So much better. Fuck, you’re so tight, baby. You take my cock so good.”

Me. They’re talking about me.

I don’t want to look into the room, but I need to. Taking a deep breath, I step into the doorway. I can’t help but gasp as I slap my hand over my mouth at the scene in front of me.

Kimberly, my best friend, has her legs wrapped over Troy’s shoulders as he pounds into her. They both look over and neither looks ashamed to be caught in the act.

Troy pauses mid-thrust and looks at me in confusion. “Esme, what are you doing here?”

I chuckle at his audacity. “You’re really asking me that right now? I can’t believe you two.”

“It doesn’t mean anything, I still love you,” Troy says.

Kimberly narrows her eyes at him. “Really? Pretty sure you were singing a different tune while I was swallowing your cock earlier.”

“Kimberly,” he hisses.

“How could you? It’s our anniversary. If you were unhappy, you should have left,” I tell him before looking at her. “And how could you? You were my best friend.”

She shrugs. “It’s nothing personal, and let’s be real, if you satisfied him, he wouldn’t be seeking attention elsewhere.”

“I’m not unhappy,” he adds.

“You’re still inside of her!” I snap as tears roll down my face.

He goes to move, but I raise my hand. “Stop. Just stop. We are done. You two can have each other.”

“Esme, wait!” he yells as I walk away.

Grabbing the bags, I rush out of his place, slamming the door in my wake. I practically run to my car and throw the bags in the back seat before I get inside, locking the doors.

Squeezing the steering wheel, I let the tears fall.

How fucking stupid am I? He wasn’t being distant because he was going to propose but because he was cheating on me. Sobbing, I lay my head on the steering wheel, everything hitting me like a ton of bricks.

Out of everyone he could have chosen to cheat on me with, he had to choose her. My best friend. The keeper of my secrets. I’ve been friends with Kimberly since high school, and we even chose to go to the same college, so for her to do this kills.

I always knew she had a jealous streak, but I didn’t know it was this bad.

I thought I would be the exception to her wrath.

Losing her hurts just as much as losing him.

I should be calling her right now, telling her what I walked in on so she could comfort me, but I can’t.

She’s the one who caused the ultimate betrayal.

God, I should have seen the signs.

He always complimented her. Troy was never shy about checking out her curves and complimenting what she wore, yet he was overly critical of my body.

He didn’t like how toned my arms were from work or that sometimes when I bend over, you can see the ridges of my spine.

He especially hated the little mole on my back and thought I should get it removed.

She’s got big boobs, while I’ve got a handful. Her hair is black, where mine is on the verge of white it’s so blond. I’m short in comparison and thin where she’s tall, with long legs and curves.

It all makes sense now. He was fucking me, someone who looks the exact opposite of her. Kimberly and I couldn’t be more different if we tried.

Fuck him. Fuck her. Fuck. Them.

They don’t deserve my tears or my time of day. I meant it when I said I was done with them. I never want to see either of them ever again.

Huffing, I dry my tears and start my car.

At least I found out now before it was too late and I was married to him, or God forbid, had kids with him.

Yes, I’m better off learning how sleazy he is now than ten years down the line.

I’ll give myself today to mourn what I thought was my future, and tomorrow, well, tomorrow I’ll forget either of them ever existed.