Chapter Thirteen.
April
After all his sweet words, Stone was on a date with someone else.
I’d been watching for several minutes. He’d touched her gently and with love, and that stabbed deep into my heart.
As I hurried away, I was mentally kicking myself.
Once a cheater, always a cheater, the mantra kept running through my mind.
Okay, Stone had dumped me the first time, but the sheets had barely been cold.
As Stone explained what happened with Chelsea, some doubt remained, and now I understood why.
I hadn’t been able to see her fully. The sun cast shadows over her face, but she was beautiful; that much could be garnered. Stone had been completely at ease, suggesting familiarity. Fuck, he had a girlfriend, and I’d been the sidepiece. When the hell would I learn?
I approached my car and unlocked it. Tears welling in my eyes, I threw my purse in and went to climb in.
“Miss Graham,” someone uttered. I spun around and gasped in fear. Salisbury stood close by with his two goons.
“No! Whatever it is, no,” I cried, pressing into the car. Salisbury’s gaze narrowed on my tears and mistook them.
“Miss Graham, I mean no harm. In fact, I brought you this,” Salisbury said reassuringly and held out an envelope.
“No thanks, I don’t want anything,” I replied as I edged towards the open door.
“There is a cheque inside. Miss Graham, fill in whichever charity’s name you wish. A card with my direct private line is also included. If you ever require assistance, call. I shall endeavour to aid you in any way you need.”
“Charity?” I asked, ignoring Salisbury’s offer of help.
“I would have made it out to you, but research shows you’d probably tear it up and piss on it,” Salisbury stated crudely.
A laugh escaped despite my fear. “True.”
“Miss Graham, I sincerely apologise for any fright you took the other day. Please be assured, we’ll not cross paths again unless you need help,” Salisbury said, and with a nod of his head, walked towards a tinted SUV.
He climbed into the back with one of his thugs while the other got in the front, and moments later, drove away.
I gazed down at the envelope before slowly climbing into my car and driving home. A local charity would enjoy receiving a surprise gift.
Harlequin
April was pissing me off. She’d ignored my calls since yesterday, and I was now riding to see what had crawled up her ass this time.
Surely, she wasn’t pissed that I’d had lunch with Briar?
If so, then we wouldn’t work. My family wasn’t something I would ever relinquish.
I was also mad because Margrave had finally deviated from his usual routine, but instead of chasing him down, I was hunting April.
I hoped April was at home because I couldn’t afford time away from Julie’s case. When I parked, the door opened, and Rose stood there with disapproval leeching from her pores.
“Miss April isn’t available.”
“Tough shit. Rose, I’ve not got the patience to deal with April’s hissy fit,” I said, approaching.
“You’re not welcome here!”
“Why not?”
“Maybe because you’re dating other women. April admits you hadn’t discussed your fledgling relationship yet, but she had assumed exclusivity,” Clara stated, appearing.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I demanded.
“April witnessed you at lunch with a beautiful woman. She said you were very cosy, and it was clear you were incredibly familiar with each other,” Clara announced.
I stopped walking and stared in disbelief. “You’re saying that April has accused me of cheating?”
“Not as if you don’t have form for it,” Rose replied tartly and folded her arms.
Completely bemused but with anger growing, I threw back my head and laughed. The sound was grating and harsh.
“Give April a message. She can take our fledgling relationship and shove it up her ass.” Clara looked affronted. “If April weren’t such a paranoid bitch, she could have said hi to Briar!”
With that, I turned and marched away. Screw April. I had shit to do. I wasn’t playing into this bullshit.
“Briar? April never mentioned Briar! Wait, Stone, I think a mistake has been made!” Clara called.
“Clara, I don’t give a fuck. Instead of wasting my time on April’s crap, I should have been looking for a missing eighteen-year-old girl. See ya around,” I said in reply and revved my bike and pulled away.
April
Briar? That hadn’t been Briar. Stone’s sister was dowdy and a little chubby.
This woman had been a damn model. Harlequin was lying through his teeth.
That bastard. Did Stone really think I’d believe the beauty whom he looked at with such love was his sister?
Hours had passed since he’d left, and I was still stewing over the lies.
And truthfully, I was as bitter as hell.
Well, guess what? What’s good for the goose is also good for the gander. I snatched my phone and texted Teagan to see if she wanted to be my wingman. Teagan responded with a hell yes.
Anger riding me, I yanked out a little red dress that looked great despite my weight and put on some makeup. Teagan would meet me at the Hellfire bar, and I hoped that Stone would be there to view me in my glory.
I didn’t pine after any man anymore! Tonight, I was going to flirt and take somebody back to a hotel and screw their brains out. Fuck Stone Ryan!
Harlequin
Briar looked amused when I explained what had happened. “Guess I’ve changed a lot in the last few years.”
“Don’t care. Could you picture living with that? Being accused of fucking every woman I speak to? Shit, I thought April was open to trying again. Instead, she’ll use the past to beat me constantly. God, can you imagine life with that level of jealousy and paranoia?”
“Stone, April made the first move. She invited you on a date. If April wasn’t ready, she shouldn’t have asked you. That’s poor judgement.”
“What are we talking about?” Mom inquired as she entered the dining room.
“Jealous bitches,” Briar stated, and I choked on my laughter.
Mom stared at us, and her eyes narrowed. “What am I missing?”
Briar and I swapped glances, and Mom groaned. “You know, for your age difference, you two are extremely close.”
“As we should be,” Briar retorted as Dad entered carrying Mom’s huge casserole pot, which he placed near Mom—she always served.
“I’ll fetch the bread,” Dad said and left again. He reappeared moments later with the smell of hot bread wafting in the air.
“Damn, I missed this,” Briar remarked and sniffed appreciatively.
“Family dinners?” Dad asked as he sat.
“Home-cooked meals. But yeah, family dinners too,” Briar replied and offered Dad a cheeky grin.
Conversation flowed as Dad cut the bread and slathered butter on it, and Mom served up huge helpings of her beef casserole. Dinner had ended, and we were letting it settle before pudding when my phone texted. The message was from Jinx, and I frowned.
‘April is here, dressed to kill and flirting with any man that catches her fancy. Want me to step in?’
Undecided, I chewed it over for a few seconds and sent back a no. April could do what she wanted. I glanced at Briar, and an idea grew.
“Fancy going for a beer after dessert?”
Briar looked at me, puzzled, and I slid my phone towards her slightly. She read the text before nodding. “That sounds great. You can show me this bar your club owns.”
“Ah, you two go have fun!” Mom announced, beaming.
“We will!” Briar exclaimed, her face giving nothing away. But Briar was going to make a point tonight; I could sense it.
April
I was on my third drink, happy but not drunk, when Stone walked in with that bitch.
She was honestly stunning, and Stone was laughing at something she’d said.
At the sight of them, my mood plummeted.
I thought I’d dressed to impress, but she killed it.
The tight little black dress drew eyes from everyone with a dick in the bar.
Jealousy swamped me as my teeth ground together.
Stone spotted several of the Hellfire members, and with a hand on her back, Stone walked over. Angrily, I watched as he introduced her, and she smiled prettily.
“Are you okay?” Teagan murmured, following my gaze.
“Yeah, let’s get a round of shots in,” I replied, turning away. Jinx, who was serving, gave me a knowing look but took our order and said nothing.
◆◆◆
An hour later, I slid off my stool. “Be back soon, I need to pee,” I murmured to Teagan, who nodded.
She was flirting with some guy, but I’d lost interest because I kept watching Stone and the new woman.
While Stone was attentive and definitely loving towards her, something was off.
I pondered the issue as I hit the toilets and relieved my bladder.
When I came out, I nearly stumbled. Checking her makeup was Stone’s girlfriend. Silently, I gritted my teeth as she looked up and smiled. Unable to return the smile, I nodded and proceeded to wash my hands. I dried them and walked past her.
“Wow, really, April? Not a single fuckin’ hi?” she demanded, and I turned.
“What?” I replied, not even bothering to be polite.
“Eleven years and you can’t use the manners Clara installed and say hello? What a damn embarrassment,” she snapped.
“How the fuck do you know Clara?” I snarled, ready to defend my adoptive mom.
“You really don’t recognise me? Briar, Stone’s sister.”
“Yeah, you’re not Briar. Did Stone put you up to this?”
“Take a good look, bitch. I get the fact that Stone did a number on you, but you asked him to start dating. You, April, convinced Stone that you had a second chance. Considering your behaviour, it’s a good job Stone learned about your issues and attitude before you got any deeper.
What was this? An excuse for revenge? Stone was an asshole, but move on, bitch, ten years have passed. ”
I reeled at her tone. Then squinted. I recognised her now; this was Briar! Oh lord, I’d made a fool of myself. But Briar’s words rankled. Without thinking, I hit back.