29. June
June
Cora literally squeals when she sees that Claire is in the limo with me.
“Shut the fuck up! I didn’t know you were in town.” Cora wraps her arms around Claire immediately and hugs her tightly.
“Surprise!” I give her a squeeze, too.
Do I want to put my best friend in danger?
Absolutely not. But the fact that all of this time has gone by and she hasn’t been compromised tells me that whoever is doing this shit doesn't care to involve her.
It was a risk I was willing to take in an attempt to make this whole night that much more believable.
We do girls’ nights often. And it’s no secret that the three of us are friends. Going out is something that is totally within the range of our usual norm. And the fact that Claire is in town makes the perfect excuse to get together.
A week ago, I wouldn't have even questioned this setup.
Why would anyone else?
And because Simon has been with me non-stop for over six months, that doesn't change tonight.
He will remain nearby, along with Johnny.
Not a thing about that is potentially alarming for anyone who might be watching.
The rest of the men are in position; lurking from their respective corners in wait for whatever might happen.
Half of us might hate this plan, but we’ve never been more unified than we are tonight. And maybe that will finally be the upper hand we need to take down this bastard once and for all.
Cora and Claire make small talk on the way across town. Johnny joins in here and there when he can get a word in.
I tune out most of their conversation and lean into the strong man beside me, hooking my pinkie around his and enjoying this simple but intimate grip we have on each other.
Simon throws his arm over my shoulder and tugs me toward him, replacing his pinkie with his other hand, fully enveloping my palm with his. It’s moments like this when I feel capable of overcoming anything this stupid world throws at me.
The limo comes to a stop in the Haven District in front of Cora’s favorite place.
The door opens a moment later, and Alec greets us on the other side.
Simon steps out first, assessing the vicinity, and then reaches for me.
I allow him to help me out and adjust my dress once I’m on the sidewalk.
“Are you sure I look okay?” Cora follows me and glances down at her outfit.
She's wearing a sheer black long-sleeve shirt that hangs off the shoulders, exposing a black push-up bra underneath it.
Her black satin bottoms hug her curves tightly, and the heels she's wearing only makes her legs appear longer and her ass bigger.
Her golden hair falls in loose waves on her shoulders.
Alec clears his throat. “You’re, uh, beautiful.” He avoids eye contact like he might be reprimanded for speaking to her.
“Thanks, Alec.” She grins and her cheeks flush red.
Simon leans in close to Alec and whispers something into his ear.
Alec nods sharply and waits for the rest of our party to exit the limo before shutting the door. He and Cora exchange a bashful glance.
Once he’s out of sight, she tells me, “He’s so cute.”
I elbow her and smile. “You’re out of his league, sweetheart.”
“Oh whatever, I don’t believe in leagues.” She weaves her arm around mine, and I ignore the ache that still radiates from the healing gunshot wound that’s covered up by a flesh color bandage our fancy in-home doctor brought over.
It blends in so well that Cora doesn’t even notice it.
The club buzzes with energy and loud music as we approach.
My heels click against the pavement, a pace matching that of my heart. Steady. Calculated. Prepared. Whatever this night brings, we will handle it together.
Completely bypassing the long fucking line outside the place, Johnny walks us straight to the doorman. The massive guy takes one look at us and opens the door, leaving an opening for Claire to step into the booming place.
We follow her in and are immediately greeted by a young kid with a clipboard. “Right this way,” he tells us.
Simon nods his approval and places his hand on the small of my back to guide me. His touch travels a bit, resting just along my hip. It’s electric and inviting and completely fucking distracting.
The worker leads us to a roped-off area. He lifts the thing to let us through and then secures it behind us.
“Shut up,” Cora says. “I’ve never been in VIP.” She spins in a circle in the open space and plops down onto the plush couch.
This girl has no idea what kind of things she's missing. If only her best friend would bite the bullet and tell her the truth about what her men do for a living, then maybe Cora could get a taste of this life, too.
“If you need anything else, don’t hesitate,” the worker tells Simon.
“Look at all these bottles.” Cora rummages through the vast selection on the table in the center of our little area. “Who’s paying for this?”
Simon rubs his neck. “I’m uh, part owner.”
“Of this entire fucking place?” She throws her arms up dramatically.
“I didn’t know that,” I whisper to him. There are so many things about each of my men that I’m unaware of. Like the fact that Dominic owns multiple homes across the country and one internationally. He has a private freaking jet, too. What kind of secrets are Coen and Magnus hiding?
“Yeah, it’s not a big deal,” Simon tells Cora. “Drink up.”
Cora grabs the bottle of tequila and yanks out the cork. She pours five shots and hands one to each of us. “A toast.”
Claire smiles at her. “What are we toasting, Cor?”
“To friends.” Cora holds hers up in the air. “The best of friends.”
“To friends,” we collectively say and then down the warm liquid.
The heat spreads down my chest and into my belly. I settle into the spot next to her as she fills her cup back up. "You getting shit-faced on me tonight?"
“So are you! It’s the only way I can get you to dance with me.” Cora refills my shot glass.
“You know I’m not a tequila girl.” I take it, because I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention, and down the contents.
Cora pours more into Claire’s empty glass, too. “I’m seriously so happy you’re both here. That we’re here. I needed this. More than you know.”
My heart tugs at the fact that I haven’t been as good of a friend as Cora has deserved lately. I’ve been so focused on everything going on in my life that I haven’t been paying attention to hers. Just because someone wants me dead doesn’t mean her problems are any less important than mine.
“What’s been going on, Cor?” I ask her and swallow down the guilt of being a shitty friend.
She sighs. “It’s fine. Everything is fine.”
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I guess me and my men aren't the only ones with secrets.
“Talk to me, Cora bora.” Claire drinks her shot and sets the glass on the table.
Simon and Johnny sit on the opposite end of our roped-off section and have a conversation of their own. But from the music blaring in this place, not a blip of what they're saying carries over to us.
Simon winks and my pulse picks up speed. I force myself to look away and focus on my best friend.
“Just the usual. Work. Life. Boys. Family. You know.” Cora shrugs and paints a smile on her beautiful face. “But tonight is about forgetting our worries, right?” She pours herself another drink and tips it back.
Her eyes light up and I follow her attention to spot Alec walking toward us. Cora grips my arm and reaches for Claire. “Would you kill me if I asked him to dance? Oh my god, I’m going to do it.” Cora rises to her feet and adjusts her boobs. “I’m going in.”
And before either of us can stop her, Cora walks with confidence right over to him, their bodies separated by the rope between them. They exchange a few words and apparently, she convinces him because he unhooks the barrier and lets her out.
Alec glances over his shoulder at Simon and Simon gives him a thumbs up.
Simon turns toward me and mouths, “It’s okay.”
I draw in a breath and sigh. “I hate keeping her in the dark.”
“Me, too.” Claire leans back into the couch, throws her arm over the back, and turns toward me. “I haven’t been around enough to have the conversation with her though. You know? And there are so many unpredictable variables. It could be the best or worst thing for her.”
“That’s my thought, too. I feel selfish not telling her, but I’d be selfish for telling her. It sucks not having someone to talk to. She’s my best friend, and she’s completely in the dark. Part of me wants to keep her there, to protect her.”
“Yeah,” Claire says. “It’s not always the best choice though.” She faces me more. “I told my best friend, Rosie.”
My eyes widen. “No shit? How did that go?”
“Well.” Claire exhales. “I was forced to, really. She got caught in the war, almost died. I didn’t have a choice at that point. We went through a rocky period, but I think it brought us closer.”
“Wow, I had no idea.”
Claire grabs one of the bottles of water off the table and twists the cap off and takes a sip, returning to her position toward me. “We’ve all held our fair share of secrets in an attempt to protect those we love.”
“Even you and Johnny?”
Claire laughs. “Especially me and Johnny.” She shakes her head and smiles. “The shit we kept from each other was unreal. And there’s still times when I have to shake information out of him. A relationship like ours isn’t without its complications.”
Complications. Is that what my guys and I are going through? Just a natural rough patch that is exasperated by being with multiple men who are also running a massive criminal syndicate?
I’ve honestly never been in a relationship before. So even if this was normal, I wouldn’t know. It doesn’t feel like shit everyone else goes through. But who am I to make assumptions like that?
“I had no idea,” I tell her. “I thought you guys were solid.”