Page 96 of Vengeful Vows

“Don’t get all mopey again,” Paige pleads as she pulls me into the club.

No one checks our IDs, presumably because Lara and Paige have rented the place out.

We walk into the bar and the music booms.

It’s so strange to see a club with no people in it but the bartenders. It’s a gorgeous club, with red and blue lights strobing overhead. A tiled, huge dance floor sits in the middle of the building, and the bar stretches around it in a square. The chandeliers look to be made of real crystal, and there’s a disco ball in the corner.

We grab drinks at the bar and go right out to the dance floor, and by the time I’m halfway finished with the drink, I feel happy and free.

It’s not just the booze, either. Paige and Lara have become like my own sisters. I’m closer to them than I have ever been to Rory. Even now that we are closer since he decided to leave the family.

Paige does a little twirl, giggling, and nearly falls.

I can’t help but double over, laughing, as Lara tries to help her up.

Jimmy stands in the corner, watching us with a small smile, and other than him being there and the club being empty, it’s like a normal night out with the girls.

We have the time of our lives, and I stop drinking around midnight so that I’m not unsteady on my feet, although I’m definitely tipsy.

Paige and Lara aren’t too much the worse for wear either, and we all pile into Jimmy’s car, in the backseat so that we can whisper and talk like young girls.

I guess we are young girls. It just seems like so much has happened that it’s aged me.

When we arrive back at the mansion, Paige and Lara say their goodbyes, and I head up the stairs to the bedroom. I am a tiny bit unsteady, but I blame it on my new heels.

I expect Declan to be asleep, since it’s nearly three in the morning, but when I open the bedroom door, he’s sitting on the bed. A sheet only barely covers his abdomen, and I know he’s naked beneath.

“Hey, princess,” he calls in a low tone, and I stumble slightly as I take off my heels. He chuckles. “You good?”

“Fine,” I mumble. “I’m not even that drunk.”

“You’re not, huh?” He stands up, nude, and walks over to unzip my dress, his hands lingering on my hips and ass.

He whispers into my ear, “You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

I shiver, letting the dress fall to the floor. I turn, wearing just a white thong, and Declan looks me over.

“Are you drunk?”

“No.” I pout.

He chuckles. “I think you’re a little tipsy.”

I shrug. “Not much,” I say, but my head is starting to spin slightly now that I’m home.

“I think maybe we should just cuddle tonight.” Declan smiles, and I whine but let him take me to the bed, let him draw me into his arms.

“Declan,” I whisper, and Declan hums in response. “Are you mad at me?”

He’s quiet for a long moment. “No, baby.”

“Okay,” I say in a small voice, and bury my face in his chest.

I sleep like this every night, listening to his heartbeat, and tonight, it’s strong and steady, relaxing me to the core.

This is where I feel most at home, in my father’s enemy’s arms.

24

---