Page 9 of Vengeful Secret

SUTTON

“How’s Ciara doing?”I ask my mother, standing near the door so that the music isn’t too loud.

Her voice sounds tinny and small on the other line.

I don’t have the best service here.

“She’s great. Still talking about Mr. Blue.” My mother chuckles.

I smile. “I didn’t have the heart to tell her that she’ll probably never see him again.”

“You never know, honey.”

“Well, listen, I’ll probably be out really late, so?—”

“Don’t worry about it. Ciara and I are pals. We can have a sleepover.”

I bite my lip.

It’s not like I don’t trust my mother, but I just feel bad about staying out all night.

“You sure she won’t miss me?”

“She’s barely mentioned you since you left.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom,” I drawl, waving my hand in front of my face because it’s so hot in the bar.

“Of course, she loves you to pieces, Sutton, but she’s going to be fine. You guys are together all the time. She loves spending time with her Granny.”

“All right. I’ll call you in the morn?—”

I lock on a pair of green eyes.

It can’t be.

But he’s looking right at me, that same strong jaw and chin, the same strong, dark brows.

Gray Burke.

Shit. This can’t be happening.

I have to get the hell out of here, as soon as possible.

I hurry back to the table in the back, not letting on that I’ve noticed Gray at the bar, because none of my friends know anything about him.

Hell, I never thought I’d see him again, so I’m not sure how to even react.

My mind races, wondering what he’s doing here, wondering if he’s noticed me. There’s no way he hasn’t—he was looking right at me while I was by the door.

I curse myself for heading over in that direction. Maybe I would’ve never seen him if I’d gone out the back instead.

But it’s stupid to worry about that now. All I can do is hope that he doesn’t engage. I’m not the girl I was back then. I’ve got responsibilities now. I’ve got Ciara to worry about, and I’m not going to let myself get swept back up in Gray Burke and his dangerous lifestyle.

Rosa smiles and grabs my arm. She stands and points toward the dance floor.

“Not now,” I plead, not wanting Gray to see me there. Back here, it’s dim, and maybe he won’t notice me.

I don’t know why I’m so worried. He probably doesn’t even recognize me. It’s been so long. And I’ve changed my hair, and maybe that’s good enough.

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