Chapter Fifteen
Where the hell did he go?
Keely was slyly dancing with her gaze trained on the end of the bar where Caine had been a few minutes earlier.
She scanned the room, desperately avoiding the hands of the man who’d started dancing with her and Caite.
Every time he slid his hands on her waist, she moved away, trying to create distance.
He was probably taking it as a challenge.
It’s not, asshole. Making Caine jealous was her only agenda at the moment.
And that plan was going up in flames. Where the hell did he go?
Keely turned toward the exit doors, then the hallway leading to the back.
Caine was nowhere in sight. Had he left?
With her ? An unnatural heated rage raced through her body.
Jealousy was an angry bitch! And Keely was feeling it tenfold.
She spun around, taking a slower look around the room.
It was so crowded, especially on the dance floor, it was impossible to pinpoint people and keep them in her line of sight.
She felt a push to her back seconds before the dampness had her gasping and frozen with her arms spread out wide.
What the fuck? Her pristine white dress was now half covered with a large red stain.
She swung around to catch a woman walking away with remnants of wine in her glass.
Accidents happened, and this wasn’t the first time she’d gotten a drink spilled on her.
Though it usually wasn’t a full glass and was followed up by a sincere apology.
Keely glanced down at the damage. As suspected, it was probably a full glass.
Of red fucking wine! Keely groaned. The dress was new.
And overpriced. She’d been saving it for a special occasion.
Mainly one with Caine. She had visions of a dinner, maybe dancing, and then seeing it wrinkled and piled on the floor near his bed the next morning.
Now, its only final destination would be the garbage if she couldn’t clean it quickly. Shit!
“Looks like you pissed someone off.”
Keely was caught between the shock of the moment and her dance partner’s words. What was his name? Oh, who gives a shit! She pulled her stare from her soaked, stained dress and looked up at him. His lips twitched, and she squinted, shouting over the music.
“You think she did it on purpose?”
He shrugged. “I mean, she could’ve walked around the other side where no one is dancing, but she cut through the most crowded section, and it kind of looked like she was heading straight for you.”
What?
“How do you know?”
“I always got my eyes on the hot ones, and I’ve been scoping her out all night.”
While you’re dancing with me? It was confirmed and official, all men were dicks!
Keely abandoned the dance floor and headed past the bar.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the woman put down her glass, and when she turned, Keely felt a raging fire swarm in her belly.
It was the same woman who had been cuddling up to Caine.
Bitch!
Keely was so incensed, she almost missed the glass being slid over to her on the bar. It was a tall glass with clear liquid. She furrowed her brows and glanced up. The female bartender pointed to it.
“Club soda.” She looked down at Keely’s dress. “Not sure how much it’ll help, but it’s worth a shot, right?”
Keely mustered up a smile and grabbed the glass, rushing down the hallway to the bathroom. Thankfully and surprisingly, it was unoccupied. She stood at the sink, examining the damage.
Fuck!
She grabbed a handful of paper towels and dipped them into the glass, gingerly patting it over the edge of the stain.
It quickly became clear this was going to be a fruitless effort.
She’d spent over one hundred dollars on this dress.
It may not have been much to other women, but it had been an irresponsible splurge purchase for her. And now it was ruined.
The sharp knock on the door had her jumping, but she kept her focus on salvaging anything from the dress. She continued to try and clean it without much success.
The pounding on the door became more aggressive as the seconds rolled by.
“Just give me a minute!” Keely shouted.
The last thing she expected was someone barging in, especially since she’d locked the door. But seconds later, Caine was standing inside the bathroom door with a harsh glare.
“Where are you parked?”
What the fuck? She was an utter mess with stained red wine on her dress, and he wanted to know where she was parked?
“Out of town, huh?” She arched her brow in challenge.
“Where?” he snapped.
Oh, fuck you, Caine. How dare he come in here and demand anything from her.
Keely shot out her arm, pointing. “Who is she, Caine? Is that what you’re working on tonight? You’re an asshole!”
Caine stalked forward, and she straightened her back, standing her ground.
“Where are you fucking parked, Keely?”
“Out back in the lot,” she blurted.
He grabbed her forearm. It was tight enough to bound her but not enough to hurt.
He swung open the bathroom door with so much force, it slammed against the wall.
He lead her down the hallway and out the back door.
The cold air walloped her, and she shivered.
The temperature had definitely dropped since she’d arrived.
She tried to pull out of his hold, but she was no match for his strength.
“Caine, what…”
As soon as they got a few feet into the parking lot, she noticed Ridge and Cyrus standing on the curb. They weren’t alone. She was there too.
Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me! She yanked her arm so hard, she tripped backward when Caine loosened his hold. He reached out for her, but she slapped his hand away as she righted herself. All three stood in a lined formation, but Keely locked her glare on the woman.
She was taller than Keely by maybe an inch or two.
Her long dark hair hung down past her shoulders in perfect curls.
Her dress was form fitting, showing off all her curves.
She was perfectly proportioned, unlike Keely who had been blessed on the top but not on the bottom.
Staring back at the woman had Keely comparing herself and coming up short. Very fucking short.
Caine stepped in front of her, blocking her view, towering over her, and growled. “Go home.”
What? Who did he think he was? Caine couldn’t order her to do anything!
“You can’t tell me…”
“Yes, I can, and I just fucking did. Go home, Keely.” He leaned closer and his tone was feral. “Now.”
Keely could’ve fought against him, given more pushback, but the odds of getting past Caine and into the club were null.
She could’ve chosen to fight with her words.
Unleashed everything she was feeling at that very moment.
The hurt, the betrayal, and the utter heartbreak.
But you don’t get that, asshole! Caine didn’t deserve it.
He wasn’t worthy. In the end, it wouldn’t matter to a man like him.
One that had been so careless with her heart. I was so wrong about you.
Keely felt her eyes well, and she immediately sucked in a breath, forcing them back. Caine didn’t get the satisfaction of seeing how much he’d hurt her. She rolled her shoulders and straightened her back.
“I’m gonna go.” She paused, narrowing her gaze.
“But not because you’re telling me to. I’ll leave because I don’t want to talk to you, hear you, or see you.
” She clenched her teeth. “ Ever. Again! You’re not worth my time, my energy, or a felony charge for assault, which is exactly what you deserve, asshole! ”
True to form, Caine didn’t respond. He didn’t react.
He was emotionless. And her heart broke a little more.
When her gaze shifted past him, she swung out her hand and pointed at the woman.
“You spilled the drink on me on purpose. That makes you the worst kind of girl. Your womanhood card should be revoked!”
At this point, Keely was beyond clear thinking. Anger and rage had a way of blinding coherent and rational thoughts.
The woman gave no reaction, and even more irritating, no apology. That only incensed her more, and she changed direction, heading straight for the woman. Caine swiftly stepped in her path.
“I said, go home.” He growled, and the impossible happened. Her heart broke another fraction. It was as if he was hellbent on tearing her heart out.
Her heartbreak made a quick pivot back to anger, and she smirked.
“And they say chivalry is dead.” She hiked her brows. “But look at you, Caine, protecting your new girl. I would say side piece, but it’s becoming very clear” —she paused— “That would be me . Right, Caine?”
For the first time tonight, she saw a semblance of emotion. It wasn’t much, but Caine lowered his gaze to the ground. Was it shame? I sure as fuck hope so.
Keely scoffed, shaking her head, and started across the lot.
It was humiliating and demeaning the way she’d been treated.
She could’ve walked away without another word.
Maybe she should’ve. But Keely was never one to avoid revenge in the most satisfying way.
Was it immature? Yes! Did she care? Oh fuck no.
Eye for an eye, Caine.
Keely spun around, walking halfway to the group. Ridge, Cy, and the woman had moved closer to the back door, but Caine remained staring at her. His brows dipped, as she got closer.
“Hey!”
When they all turned around, Keely zoned in on the woman.
“Just so you know, two nights ago I was at Caine’s place. Fucking .” Keely held up her fingers. “Three times!”
The woman widened her eyes and stilled. Keely expected more anger than shock. The woman flattened her lips and remained silent. It wasn’t the response she’d expected, or that she wanted. So she doubled down.
“Handcuffs and all.” Keely tapped her wrists together, arched her brow, and winked, “For your sake, I hope he changed the sheets. Otherwise, you’ll be smelling me all over them.”
She heard a thunderous growl. Keely slowly turned her gaze to him. Caine was pissed. His eyes shaded to black, and his features tightened, stretching his skin over his jaw and cheekbones. His temple pulsed rapidly. She’d hit a nerve or two. Good!
“Oh, I’m sorry, Caine, did I fuck up your plans for the night?” she asked with a careless shrug and a gratification she felt down to her core. Revenge never tasted so sweet. An entrée of karma served with a slice of humble pie.
Bon appétit, asshole!
****
Caine stood silent, his heart racing, his blood raging through his veins, all the while watching her get in her car and rip out of the parking lot.
Anger was nothing new for him. It had played a huge part in his life since he was a child.
This was different. Never had it been so strong, and it was directed at himself this time.
He’d categorically fucked up this entire situation, and in turn, lost her.
There was no coming back from that kind of rage. Or hurt.
Fuck!
He turned and walked through the door, ignoring the blatant silence. But Cyrus’s amusement hadn’t gone unnoticed. He glared down at the man who’d been as close as a brother.
“You know, I’ve been in the market for a pair of handcuffs myself.”
Cyrus’s light-hearted banter was usually welcome, even from Caine. Comic relief was few and far between in the Underground. But his timing was off. Way fucking off. Maybe his brother in security didn’t realize the cataclysm of the situation.
“One more fucking word and I’ll kill you.”
Cyrus held up his hands and remained silent. Ridge, on the other hand, slapped Cyrus’s back and gave a disapproving shake of his head.
Caine stalked down the hall in silence followed by his crew. He stopped at the opening of the main floor of the bar. There was nothing he could do about Keely now, but he still had his duty to fulfill. He scanned the room looking for their fifth party.
“Jared’s here. At the bar,” Ridge said and lifted his chin to the left.
The only saving grace for the night was that Jared hadn’t been around for the debacle with Keely.
That would’ve only added more to the already trainwreck of a situation.
Caine’s mind was reeling, and while he was trying to stay focused on the job, he was distracted by thoughts of Keely.
She’d tried to hide behind her bravado, but Caine saw through it.
She’d been utterly destroyed by what she thought was the truth.
And it couldn’t have been further from it.
Caine took a step forward, but halted when he felt her hand on his arm. His first instinct was to yank it away, but now they were in view of others. Caine slowly angled his head, scowling. He didn’t want any woman touching him except Keely .
Jessie smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. She was playing the part.
“Close to Nash’s girl, yeah? But not the only one she’s close to, huh, Caine?
” Jessie sidled up next to him, her face soft, but her tone was laced in venom.
“I could think of half a dozen ways we could’ve handled that differently.
All of them would’ve had your girl safely on her way home and not in tears. ”
Mistakes had been made, and Keely suffered the brunt of it. Caine ground his teeth, battening down his emotion.
“And before any of you assholes tries to give some lame ass statement of ‘she wasn’t crying’” —Jessie paused and stepped in front of him, eyeing Ridge and Cyrus who were standing at his back— “What you saw was the first response to betrayal. Anger. What you missed is what’s going to go down in about an hour.
Hurt and heartbreak.” Jessie rested her hands on his chest and tapped it lightly.
“Well done, Caine. You just destroyed that girl. She must not mean much to you.” Jessie glared, and gave a small shake of her head before sauntering across the room, meeting Jared at the bar.
Caine stalked up to him, glaring.
“When I tell you ten o’clock, you fucking show up at ten.”
Jared’s stare darkened. “You have an issue with my tardiness, you’re welcome to take it up with Rogue.”
Caine scoffed. “Maybe you need to enlighten your boss on this deal and who’s in charge. If he has a problem, then Rogue’s welcome to take it up with Inez.”
The tension was high with his men and even Jessie backing his stance. Jared was the odd man out and turned his head, flattening his lips.
“I’ll make note of that.”
Ridge stepped in between the two men and gestured toward the corner of the bar. “Anders is here. Let’s go.”
Caine was last in line as they made it over to Anders’ table. He rolled his neck and drew in a breath. This night hadn’t gone according to plan, but he had a job to do. For now, he had to put her out of his mind and focus on the deal.
Fuck!