Page 5 of Scarred Hearts

“Oh my God,” she cackled, “you slut. You loved it!”

Rolling my tongue between my lips, I cocked a brow. “I’ll just say, he wasn’t a client I ever forgot.”

The timer on the sauce beeped, and I spun around to check on it. Thankfully, that was enough to divert the topic to anyone else but Tyler and me. I trusted her not to breathe a word to anyone. A couple of hours passed while we chatted about normal club stuff and life while we ate and cleaned up.

She suggested we go out for a girls’ night. She didn’t know how to relax, and I was just needing to get the conversation about the past out of my head. Reluctantly, I agreed, but it was probably because I was feeling moderately tipsy at that point. By the end of dinner, we’d finished two bottles of wine and took the train to Enigma; one of the upscale clubs downtown.

The building’s exterior reminded me of a restored shipyard warehouse with a mid-century modern-industrial interior. Unlike other clubs, it didn’t feel gross as we made our way through the packed black and gold room with teal, marble floors. Kirsten hooked her arm in mine as we weaved between grinding bodies.

Ah shit, that’s Gia Aggio! Someone close to us shouted. First time I’ve seen her since her dad died, another called out. I thought she was back in New York!

Sometimes I forgot who I was. My family was well known due to their business practices. We were often on the news. Originally, I’d dyed my hair pink to try to disguise myself a little when I needed the freedom, but now that it was back to its natural color, I was easily identifiable. Right now, I didn’t like that.

One of the male bartenders smiled in our direction, making his way over as we approached the bar. “Hey, K!”

“Hi, Pauly!” she called out over the crowd and music as she leaned between people at the bar.

“What can I get you, ladies?”

She glanced at me.

“Just water for now,” I replied.

“Boooo,” she sang in a deep voice, “that’s boring. We’re getting drunk tonight. I’m still processing what you told me, and this is my night off.”

“Fine.” Snorting, I rolled my eyes, calling out to the bartender, “White Russian, please.”

“And the usual Negroni for me, thank you.”

“Sure thing!” He picked up two glasses and lifted his chin over her shoulder. “Want me to have Leah deliver them over there to your friends?”

“What?” we asked at the same time, then glanced behind us to see Chance and Amber, with a few others crowded around a table in a black half-booth and modern, leather chairs. They were throwing back shots and having the time of their lives. That’s when someone stepped out of the way, and I saw Tyler on the other side of Amber, laughing hard at something someone said. Shit. Kirsten turned to me with a wide grin.

I tilted my head. “Um, no.”

“Giaaa,” she sang.

“No, Kirsten.” I rolled my eyes.

“Gia,” she repeated with faux seriousness. “That’s her.” Crossing her arms, she nodded toward the table.

“Who?”

“The blonde next to Tyler.” She leaned closer to my ear, speaking over the music. “That’s Victoria, the one I told you wanted him.”

“Ladies!” Pauly called out, and we turned around. He handed our drinks to Kirsten, and she gave me the White Russian, holding hers up. “Thanks love.” She winked at him, then spun toward the table.

“You don’t have to pay?”

She bent toward me again, laughing as we sashayed through the crowded room. “Gave him a mind-blowing BJ once, and he’s given me free drinks since. He’s no Declan O’Brien but he’s a scrumptious toy and tips me well.”

I cackled. “What’s going on with you guys these days any—” My sentence fell short when I realized we’d walked right up to the Euphoria table.

Amber was the first to see us, springing to her feet and throwing her arms around me. “Ahhhh, Gia!” She leaned away, her palms still on my shoulders. “Holy shit! Are you back?” She paused then gasped. “And with black hair?!”

Chance stood, leaning over and giving me a hug as well. “Damn girl, what’s uppp,” he greeted before pressing his lips to my ear, whispering loudly, “You heard from Luca?”

Digging my nail into my ear, where the vibration of his words tickled, I shook my head. “No, and I don’t want to either. Not any time soon.”

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