Page 1 of Bluff

Chapter One

AINSLEY

I rush down the dark sidewalk, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I’m not being followed. Regret crashes into me. We shouldn’t have confronted her, but I couldn’t stop myself. I had to prove to my sister I was right.

The moment we pushed through the door and heard Lennon getting sick, I knew the rumors were true. She’d been avoiding us, shutting us out, and now I knew why. She married him. And she was pregnant with his offspring.

How could Lennon do this?

Our plan was to bring them to their knees. Not join them.

The image of Lennon’s face going pale as she collapsed flashes through my mind, sending a sharp pain through my chest. If Lyric hadn’t caught her, she would have cracked her head against the sink.

“Fuck,” I exclaim loudly. People glance my way, but I keep moving.

Growing up in this cesspool, I know people will pay attention if you act out. But if you just keep walking, they’ll ignore you. I don’t need to attract any more attention than I already have.

I need to put as much distance between me and the Russians as possible. They’d kill me for what I did. Everyone knows you don’t mess with family. That’s why our schemes against the underworld bosses never targeted their loved ones. We went after their businesses. That’s it.

Well… until our father, Jimmy, got involved.

I finally stop and look around. Somehow, I’ve ended up in front of the Second Circle Club and Bar.

I take a deep breath. My feet must have had a mind of their own. This place has become a second home to me. Ever since Chloe and I became friends a couple of years ago and she invited me to hang out here, I’ve kept coming back.

Chloe knows more of my secrets than my own twin. Lyric isn’t my identical twin, but we shared a womb and spent our lives sticking up for each other. I’ve sacrificed so much for her, and I know she’s done the same for me.

Now we have Lennon, and it hurts me that I’ve hurt her. I should text Lyric to find out how Lennon is doing. But I don’t.

I reach for the heavy, black wrought iron handle of the gate and push it open. Security spots me and gives a quick nod. I open the door to the bar, but before stepping inside, I glance toward the entrance to the club.

A part of me wants to go in, but I haven’t been back there since February.

One night, and I was ruined.

Every time I think about it, I remember that night and catch myself looking for him. But he hasn’t been back.

I step into the bar. A mix of red glow and soft white lights illuminates the space. Wrought iron accents, red velvet stools, and booths line the room.

I make my way to the antique wooden bar and slide into a seat.

“What can I get you?” the server asks. She’s dressed in a black leather bustier and tiny black leather shorts.

“I’ll have a vodka cran with lime. Is Selene here?”

“Just a sec.” She walks off and picks up an old-fashioned phone, fitting with the steampunk theme that decorates this side of the bar.

I glance up at the mirror. I can’t see through it, but I know the people on the other side can see me. That side looks just like this one—red, wrought iron, soft gold lighting, and black with wood.

It’s also the place I haven’t been in months. Not since I was ruined.

I take in more of the bar around me. It’s the front for the club. To get to the private area, you have to knock on a door like a speakeasy and give a password. Then, you’re allowed into the bowels of the Second Circle. The place where pleasure and pain blur into one for people like me.

I used to think there was something wrong with me. That my past had twisted me into this sick person. But I’m not sick. I just crave a different type of contact.

He knew what I wanted without me ever saying a word. And I had to walk away because it scared me too much.

I do that a lot. I self-sabotage.

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