TWENTY-THREE
I realised this yesterday when Damon was throwing down on one of the men who ruined my life. I haven't hung out with my mates in what seems like months, though it's only been a few days.
Smiling at Damon's sleeping form, I press a kiss to his cheek before I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. Writing a note to tell him where I went off to, I sent a text to Bailey and Scarlet before heading out of the house.
Me : You two up to go shopping? Maybe do something crazy?
Sunshine : Count me in! I can't wait.
Book Nerd : Lip gloss is required, right?
I giggle softly as I shove my boots on before typing a response to them.
Me : What about your red lipstick? Isn't that always required?
Book Nerd : You're right. You know me so well ;)
Better than she thinks. I know more than I should about her, that's for sure.
Sunshine : STFU Scar, get your ass out of your bed. I'm already in the kitchen.
I sigh once again, registering how much I have missed my friends. Ever since Damon got shot, it's been different. My life's been different. I've been spending so much time at this house with Damon.
Sliding into the driver's seat of Damon's car since he said I could take it whenever I needed it, I reverse out of the driveway and head down the street toward Scarlet's.
I needed this. Really needed this. I pull the car into the driveway and turn off the engine. Pushing open the door, I take the steps two at a time and head inside. A smile lights up my face when I see my two best friends sitting at the table sipping coffee.
"We missed you." Scarlet pouts, her red lipstick glistening.
Everything I know about her comes crashing into my brain the longer I stare. I frown, the same look coming from Bailey. "I got distracted…" I mumble.
Bailey smirks, taking a sip from her coffee mug. "Distracted?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "That's her way of saying I'm too busy with my legs around Damon's hips."
"Is he as good in bed as people make him out to be?" Scarlet questions me.
I choke at the comment, but I say nothing and take a seat beside them, pouring myself a cup of coffee. I do need to talk to Scarlet alone about all the information I know when I have the chance.
"What is this crazy thing we're doing?" Bailey wiggles an eyebrow in my direction.
"I want my bellybutton pierced." I grin at them. Something I'm not sure I'm fully ready for, but I want it, anyway.
Bailey widens her eyes and Scarlet claps her hands. "I've been looking for an excuse to get my nose pierced! Yay!" She grins at me.
Bailey wiggles a manicured finger in my direction before she speaks. "I will never put metal through my skin, except my ears, of course." She smiles proudly, her hoops dangling from her ears. I smile softly after finishing my coffee.
She's so lucky to be kept in the dark. Just a girl who gets to live the way she wants to. A regular person and not be burdened by the secrets Scarlet and I are.
"Let's get moving!" Scarlet barks, setting her mug in the sink before she vanishes into her makeup room. Bailey smirks at me as we follow after our dark-haired friend.
By the time we make it into the room with Scarlet, she's got her entire makeup kit out, digging through it for something. "Sit down, Han Han," she instructs. A frown touches my lips. Makeup, really?
I fight a comeback as I plant my ass in the chair while I let Scarlet give me a makeover. "You're next, Bails; don't run away," she chants as she smears concealer on my face.
Bailey frowns, pursing her glossy lips. "I didn't sign up for makeup," she argues.
"I think you did the moment you agreed to go shopping with Scarlet." I grin.
Bailey chuckles, flopping on the little lounge in the corner. Closing my eyes, I allow Scarlet to add mascara to my lashes before she brushes lip gloss across my lips and smiles proudly.
"All done. Bailey, sit your ass down!" She angles her head toward our blonde friend. I smile and take Bailey's seat as she takes mine. I run my fingers through the ringlets in my hair.
That's the perk of having wavy hair. When you braid it, your hair comes out ten times curly. Flipping through my phone, I see a text from Damon and quickly open it.
My Mafia Prince : I'm going to Ricky's with the boys tonight. Please avoid certain death while you're with the deranged mafia bitch.
Me : She's still my friend, even if her life isn't what I thought it was. Learn to be nice.
My Mafia Prince : Nice to the woman who has threatened bodily harm more times than I can count? Nice try, but as long as you come back to me with your hair intact, I will feel less likely to kill her. See you later, get ready to get naked ;)
I stifle a laugh as Bailey and Scarlet eye me, tilting their heads. I know I can't say anything with Bailey sitting right there, so I shake my head at Scarlet instead.
Scarlet scoffs and pulls out her phone, dialling a number. I peer over and see Damien as the head name. "What?" he responds on the phone. "I don't have time for this, and I'd rather see you dead than your number on my screen."
She scowls at the phone while Bailey stares wide-eyed. "Tell your brother if he's going to talk shit, then he might as well say everything he has to say to my face." She smiles and I stifle a laugh.
"You're dramatic," Damien responds. I widen my eyes. Oh no, he didn't. Why do they do this again?
Her eyes blaze. "Remember that when you booty call me again," she argues, cutting the call. Bailey bursts into fits of laughter, holding her stomach. I widen my eyes as I stare at my friend. Aren't they enemies?
Scarlet scowls at us, her lips twitching as Bailey laughs. "Okay enough! I'm almost done, Bails," Scarlet replies, adding mascara and more lip gloss to Bailey's lips.
Once all three of us are ready, we all jump into Damon's car and head to the mall.
"We must hit Victoria's Secret. I need new bras," Scarlet announces with a smile.
"Why? I can't find your tits," Bailey jokes. I giggle softly as we walk across the mall toward the piercing studio.
Her lips thin slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry! Not everyone has double-Ds like you two assholes." Scarlet scowls, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Bailey smirks as we enter the piercing studio and glances around. "I was kidding. I'd trade these massive beasts for yours any day, baby." Bailey smirks, flicking her tongue out to taste Scarlet's red lips. I shake my head as we come up to the lady, her arms filled with tattoos.
"What can I do for you, ladies?" She smiles at us.
I look around the store while Scarlet talks about getting her nose pierced. "My pretty little friend wants her belly button done," Scarlet announces.
I smile at the girl as all three of us walk into the back and wait for Scarlet to get the hoop through her nose. "Damn, I'd fuck you." Bailey grins and stares at Scarlet's new look.
Our friend grins back at us and inspects her new piercing. "Damn, I look hot," she announces.
I stifle a laugh as I lay on the table and lift my shirt, undoing my pants to reveal my belly. I'm hoping it doesn't hurt like people believe.
"Any specific piece for the future?" the lady asks.
I gaze off toward a piercing. "Just the regular for now," I reply with a smile. She nods as she begins heating up a new needle.
I stare at the needle as it slips through my skin, keeping my eyes glued to my skin as she pushes the jewellery through. I must be a sadist because pain has never felt good. But that did.
"Damon's mouth is going to hit the ground when he sees you tonight," Bailey says with a smirk. I grin as we make our way to the front counter to pay the piercer.
"Damn, Han Han, you did it." Scarlet smirks.
I pull my shirt up as I stare at the flamed skin where my new piercing now sits. Bailey admires it and licks her lips. "If I was Damon, I'd probably use my tongue to trace it," Bailey says, licking her lips again.
Though she doesn't realise that isn't an option since it's brand new. I groan at the crude comments from my friends as we quickly pay and exit, heading for the next store
After an hour of shopping, and Scarlet's insistence on making me buy new panties and bras, we take our seats at the food court. As usual, I ordered a chicken Cesar because the food court food is too greasy for my liking.
On the other hand, Scarlet has a plate of fries in front of her and the greasiest burger I've ever seen. Bailey joined me on the salad option as our friend chomps down on fries. I wish I could eat like that and not gain anything, but if I eat that, it all goes to my arse.
I snicker at the thought and shove a piece of chicken into my mouth. "Where next? It's nine p.m. The mall's closing," Scarlet says while crunching on a fry.
"Could we meet the boys at Ricky's? They're going there at nine-thirty," I reply, shoving a drenched piece of lettuce into my mouth. Bailey nods with a smile.
"I could do with some tequila," Scarlet answers, shoving her empty cardboard into the greasy McDonald's bag.
"Are you and Damien… you know?" Bailey asks.
Our dark-haired friend stops chewing and stares at us, covering her mouth as she laughs. "Hell no, I sucked his cock once," she replies, her gaze finding me.
Scarlet crosses her arms over her chest and sticks out her tongue after she takes a sip of a sugar-filled Coca Cola. I wonder if Damon knows his brother is fucking the enemy. And what would happen if Margarita found out?
Bailey tilts her head and looks at me. "Hockey players in general scream sex," Bailey says. "I'm dating one of the defence men, Alexander, and well… When we first met, I couldn't not fuck him—hockey players have too much sex appeal."
We're still having this conversation? What if she slips up? Scarlet rolls her eyes and takes another sip from her pop. "He can try. Except I won’t deliver a second time. The first time was a mistake; I don't need to go round two," she replies. Bailey nods as if she's crazy, but I stay silent, not wanting to ask the wrong question.
After dumping the empty food containers into the trash, we make our way to the car. I've had about enough of the mall anyway, so I'm ready to get the hell out of here.
Once settled in my seat, I buckle my seatbelt. Turning my head over my shoulder, I check to see if my friends are also buckled as I pull out of the parking lot and head toward Ricky's, a bar off campus.
Parking outside the bar, we all pile out, heading inside, whispering and giggling about the reactions from our friends. Once my feet hit the hardwood inside, I noticed someone I didn't think was going to be here hammering off comments to Sam in a booth.
Jared Tucker. What the hell is he doing here? I hear Sam's sneering remarks, but I don't hear what he says. I watch Jared's face pale as the entire Princeton hockey team leans over the table and helps Sam pitch into him.
"Who's he?" Scarlet whispers in my ear. I bet my face is pale, but I know my friends. I know the moment I tell them, there will be hell in here. I don't really want to have that conversation quite yet. I want to talk to her alone.
Spinning toward her, I grip her arm. "If you want to know, you'll talk with me alone first." Scarlet glances at Bailey, who shrugs and heads for the bar, leaving us alone at the front doors.
Wrapping her red nails around my wrist, she drags me out of the bar, where we stand alone in the cold late fall. "So? You want to fire off comments about Damien, right? Ask me why I would fuck my enemy?" she snaps.
My eyes widen as I watch her. My teeth slam together as the words I had are lost in my throat. "Oh come on, Hanna. You think Damon would tell you everything about this world and not let the appropriate parties know what deep secrets you hold?" she questions with a raised brow.
I'm at a loss for words as I stare at her. This is the mafia princess talking, the girl Damon said exists behind the smiles. I didn’t believe him, but I'm seeing it now.
"I didn’t think about it. So that means Sam knows that I know about everything?" I question as I stare at her.
Scarlet grins, rubbing her red lips. "Yep! And he was not happy about it. Me, personally, I don't care if you know because I know you wouldn't cross us, but Sam was not happy."
I nod a few times, brushing the hair from my face with a frown. "I have your secrets and you still want to be my friend? That's a serious amount of trust in someone, especially when you could just drop me as a friend."
I watch the emotion splash across her face. "Hanna. The reason we are friends has nothing to do with the mafia world. And I would never turn my back on you just because you know my secrets," she says as her arms drape me in a hug.
A smile pulls at my lips as I return the hug and hold her close for a second. "Now! Since I answered your questions, who's the guy in the booth that made this pretty face pale?" She claps her hands with the look of murder on her face.
I gulp as I take a second to speak. "He's the guy who, um…" I close my eyes, breathing softly. I watch Scarlet's red lips twitch as she marches back inside with me close behind her.
She stops short of the booth, shoving the hockey players aside. Bailey rushes toward me from the bar as we stand close enough we can hear but not close enough that they can see us.
"Hey, baby," Scarlet coos, climbing into the booth before she shoots Sam a knowing smile. Jared eyes her up and down and smirks. "I heard you like to get your dick wet?" She grins at him. Jared smirks, leaning closer.
My throat clogs as I try not to vomit on my shoes. "I also heard this said dick also likes to get wet in girls who aren't conscious it's happening." She sneers, and Jared pulls away, eying her.
Scarlet takes her manicured nails softly over his chest before she grabs his shirt. "May I remind you, that you have to ask for consent before fucking someone."
Jared's face pales when he realises where this is going. I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest. I love her. "I would love to remind your dick that it's only okay when girls say yes," Scarlet bites out. I watch Sam smirk in triumph as he watches it play out.
My eyes travel toward him as I remember the words Scarlet said. He was pissed that I knew all his secrets—secrets I shouldn't know in his opinion.
To my horror, Scarlet unzips Jared's pants and yanks his dick out, and of course, he's hard. "Awe, baby. You're not supposed to be turned-on by this," she growls, digging her nails into his shaft.
"Fuck! You bitch!" Jared hisses in pain. Sam continues to smirk as he watches Scarlet. Ace slides into the booth next to him, watching with a calculated expression.
"I'll make sure you dick knows sex is no longer happening for him." Scarlet grins as she grips her nails onto his… ew.
I watch the man from my nightmares. His eyes are dark with malice as he stares at my friend. "Fuck! Stop! I get it!" he growls.
"No, you don't. You messed with my friend, so now I get to mess with you." She grins as she twists his dick and pulls. I hear a huge crack and cringe, knowing Scarlet broke it.
"Shit…" Bailey breathes beside me.
I totally forgot she was standing beside me until she spoke. "Fuck! You pathetic whore!" He seethes, grabbing Scarlet's neck and shoving her backward. I hear a shriek before Sam's fist flies forward and knocks Jared in the face.
Scarlet falls backwards, and Damien grabs her, pulling her to his chest and making sure she's all right. Which is something I never thought I'd see—he's supposed to hate her.
"We may have let her break you, but you lay a hand on anything that isn't your own shit, and we'll deal with you," Sam growls. The possessive note in his voice comes as a surprise to me.
I see Ace's eyes blazing as he gets to his feet, slamming his knee into Jared's head. My eyes scan the room. I notice I haven't seen Damon; I don't even know where he is.
Out of the corner of my eye I see movement before a loud crack sounds again and my eyes scan the back of Damon as he knocks teeth from Jared's head. I feel like I need to be sick as I rush to the bathroom, ignoring everything around me.
Dropping to my knees beside the toilet, I hurl everything flowing out of my mouth into the bowl. Jesus . Why do I feel nauseous? I clamp my hand over my mouth, something registering.
I close my eyes softly before I breathe in and out. It can't be… It can't be this.