Page 24 of Scarred Hearts

Trying to keep myself busy with my nightly duties, I glanced down at my watch. She hadn’t returned to the office all night, so I could only imagine what she had been up to. Every night, I joined everyone at the VIP table for the last two or three dances. If I skipped out on her first night back, I’d never hear the end of it.

Chance, Ian, and Luke had already grilled me about things with her. One night, while playing poker, I had a little too much to drink and spilled all but a few details about my night with her. So, now it wasn’t just Luke and Jade who knew.

When I approached the VIP booth, Jenna was sitting on Ian’s lap. I didn’t want to be next to that. It was no secret what went on under that table between the couples; every couple except me. Mila would’ve slapped me. I was pretty certain Ian had those tables built that way just to hide whatever he wanted to do, even before my sister came into the picture.

Noticing my hesitation, Declan scooted closer to them, giving me room to sit on the outside of the booth. On the other side, Chance and Luke were casually sipping their drinks, with Jade sitting between them. The moment I sat down, Chance gave me a knowing smirk.

I shook my head, frustrated and on edge. “Don’t you dare say a fucking word.”

Ian, whose face was buried in Jenna’s neck, pulled away with a smile. “You sure you want to be out here?”

I grabbed the bottle of Grey Goose Vodka in the center of the table and a glass, pouring a triple shot. “If I hadn’t come out here, you guys would’ve given me shit too.”

Luke chuckled. “You can’t win.”

Jenna turned back to us, confused. “What are you all talking about?”

“Just guy stuff,” I barked, sending warning glances to the guys and silently thanking Ian for keeping her out of the loop.

“Whatevs.” She rolled her eyes.

Jade fought back a smile as the lights dimmed. Amber sped by with an order of drinks, waving while shadowed by one of the new waitresses. She stopped, turning to the main stage, cheering with Jade and Jenna. Kirsten appeared next to the table with Nico at her side.

Giovanna’s song started, and she stepped out in her same signature outfit as before. Despite trying to avoid it, my gaze was drawn toward her like a magnet. Her presence alone was enough to make me feel overwhelmed, but when I caught sight of Dr. Douche in the front row drooling at her, my entire body stiffened, and I forced my eyes back to the stage.

Blue, green, purple, and yellow lights pirouetted around her, forming a hypnotic presentation. Purple lasers danced beneath her on the black stage as she grabbed the pole, spread her legs, then flipped herself upside down. She pulled her legs back over her head, still rotating, before she pushed her breasts out, locking her ankles around the rod to stabilize herself.

Her performance was mesmerizing. The more I tried to fight watching her, the more I craved her. My knee bounced up and down with anxiety. I wasn’t just watching any stripper, I was watching Giovanna perform for me.

I knew Ian wouldn’t be mad at me if I lit a cigarette at the table, but the stress and adrenaline coursing through my body were becoming too much. The club atmosphere was too overwhelming at that moment, and it felt like my head was spinning. I needed to get out of there... now.

With a sharp jolt, I abruptly stood from the bench, determined to leave the showroom as quickly as possible. Ignoring any potential followers, I marched through the roped-off, side door and turned right, making my way down the private hallways toward the elevator. Despite my usual nonchalance, I was unable to hide my inner turmoil tonight.

Only two security guards remained outside the executive lobby doors in the hallway. The one on the left pulled open the door for me as I approached. “Mr. Prescott.” He dipped his head as I passed.

Even if I’d wanted to, I couldn’t have replied. Right now, I needed to be alone. As I made my way past my main office, I veered left. At the end of the hall, next to Ian’s secret room, was a staircase with roof access. Up until five months ago, we’d never used it, but one day, he went up there to smoke after a stressful meeting. Then, he decided he wanted to turn it into another place to escape.

Tonight, I was thankful for it. I stepped out onto the roof, instantly hit in the face with a gust of nighttime summer breeze. The door slammed behind me, and I took the pack of cigarettes out of my inside jacket pocket and lit one. Pacing the rooftop area, I stared out at the buildings surrounding the property as I inhaled the cigarette and blew out the smoke repeatedly.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I asked myself, feeling all the guilt coming to a head.

The sound of the metal door opening and slamming summoned my attention, and I spun around mid-inhale. Ignoring Jade, I turned back around, staring down at the front parking lot. A random thought crossed my mind, pulling me away from my misery. How the hell was Ian able to get enough real estate in downtown Boston to provide a private parking place for employees? I remembered the two buildings that used to stand where Euphoria is today. It was nothing like it.

“Are you just going to ignore me?” Jade’s voice interrupted my thoughts as she came to a stop next to me, setting a bottle of water down on the ledge before hooking her arm through mine. She rested her head on my shoulder and let out a sigh. “You need to stop, Ty.”

The vice was clamped between my lips, the sharp taste of smoke filling my mouth. I exhaled slowly, watching as the tendrils of the grey cloud spiraled up into the night sky. “I’ve betrayed her.” My words were laced with self-disgust.

“You and Gia hooked up again?” she asked, still staring ahead with her head resting on me.

I shook my head. “No, same thing. Just feeling guilty.”

She took a step back, folding her arms. “How many times do I have to tell you it wasn’t your fault?” I opened my mouth to reply but she continued, “What happened was no one’s fault, and you know it. She?—”

“Shut the fuck up!” I barked, and she took two steps back. “You have no fucking idea?—”

“You and Mila were toxic for each other,” she interjected with a hint of anger in her voice.

I scoffed, my cigarette to my lips. Slowly, I lowered it, dropping it onto the cement roof. “What the fuck did you just say?”

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