Page 22 of The Devil In Disguise

“Whatever she did, don’t get used to it or too comfortable with her. She’ll be gone and dealt with before you know it.”

When I look up, Ace deadpans. “Hey, all I’m saying is nothing good can come from getting close to her.”

Now I really don’t know if I’m talking to him or to myself.

Unsurprisingly, I’m not the first one to show up at the club. Dario is already halfway through his drink and a conversation when I arrive. One of the strippers is sitting on the bar top with him on the stool right between her legs.

Lacy’s is the only strip club any of us come to. It’s a large building, hidden and dark enough inside to not be easily noticed. The spotlights are always on the performers while the rest of the room is bathed in red and purple LED lights and signs.

Right as I take a seat next to Dario, Luci walks in with his signature two-piece suit with not a hair out of place. He has always had a weird obsession with order, a perfectionist through and through. Weaving his way through the tables, he orders the usual rum on the rocks before joining us.

Dario raises his glass in the air. “Look what the cat dragged in.” The rest of his drink is gone after that and he whispers something in the dancer's ear before she leaves, returning shortly after to top off his drink.

We naturally bring the conversation into expectations for our next shipment deal, but I’m not really listening to them. Dario notices first and diverts the conversation.

“Alright, we’re in a club surrounded by ass and titties talking about work, no more of that. Speaking of, I heard you moved a bimbo onto the compound.”

“I didn’t move anyone in and your face was between a real bimbo’s thighs just now.”

The side of his lip tips up along with one brow. “It was and I’d do it again. I have nothing against them, are you deflecting?”

Amusement dances in Luci’s eyes as he chimes in, “Yeah, how is that going?”

Just the topic I wanted to avoid tonight.

“It’s fine,” I remark, shooting back the rest of my drink and motioning to the bartender. “I’m just ready to get rid of her.”

“Don’t tell me she’s wearing you down already,” Dario chides.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Swirling the amber liquid in my glass, my treacherous mind connects it to that she-devil. Her fucking foxlike eyes pop into my head and it only serves to raise my irritation.

Luci stays quiet, watching us go back and forth with barely more than a lip twitch until the dancer from earlier saunters up to the three of us. Still, he remains impassive while she speaks. He isn’t the type to show too much emotion.

We follow the girl to a more secluded area where she has a stage to dance on and we can watch from the couches. It doesn’t take long for her to gesture Dario towards one of the private rooms. He’s gone in a matter of seconds.

Luci is staring at the side of my head, but I won’t turn to look at him. Oddly enough, he is the only person who has ever been able to read me just by looking at me, sometimes.

Most of the time.

It’s annoying.

Instead, I focus on the new girl taking the stage. Not once do I take my eyes off hers, if only to get Luci’s eyes off me. Knowing he won’t give in, I turn to him, deadpan. “What?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this stressed.”

“I’m not stressed, just confused and annoyed because I don’t even know what the plan is,” I state, matter-of-factly.

“Renato is unpredictable. At the end of the day, you have to trust yourself, too. You are the only person who can’t fuck you over, Ky. Not entirely, at least.”

A pretty blonde with crystal blue eyes strolls right up to Luciano as he finishes his sentence and places her hand on his forearm. He tenses slightly and looks down at the girl's arm before fixing her with a cold glare. He says nothing, just shakes his head from side to side, spooking the girl off with the intensity of his gaze. I know there’s a story there, but I won’t pry. He only drops bits and pieces when he’s comfortable enough to.

As if we weren’t interrupted, he turns with his usual mask back in place, prompting me to continue the conversation. Taking a swig of my drink and blowing out a breath, I push through, feeling my tongue get a bit looser thanks to the drinks.

“I can’t stand to be around her, now I have to accommodate her?” It’s not a question, but it sounds like one. Running my fingers through my hair, I continue. “She has no clothes. So, what? I take her shopping now? Where do I even take her? Not the places I shop, that’s for sure.”

He studies my face before nodding to himself. “For starters, you can take her to the big mall near the center of the city and let her do the rest of the work. I’m sure she’s perfectly capable of picking out whatever she needs without you.”

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