Page 6 of Mischievous Lies

“Always when you’re around,” he jokes, and I stride inside like I own the place. Most bouncers know me because of my family. And because—let’s be real—I’m a good time. I’m trouble only in the number of hearts I break. But that doesn’t pay their salary.

My phone buzzes again, reminding me of the text from Hope, and I check it.

Hope: Where are you? You’re late.

I adjust my short, blonde hair, making sure it’s slicked back. I’m wearing a light pink dress that fits like a glove and stops just below my ass. I paired it with my favorite silver heels that sparkle under the fluorescent lights.

My soul purrs with satisfaction as soon as the music pours into my ears, and I sweep my gaze over the crowd. Tonight is going to be fun.

I look up to my left, where I see the designated spot for Dutton’s party. It’s the usual section we claim when we’re here. I head toward the familiar group, spotting Hope first. It seems like a sigh escapes her as she sees me walking up the stairs. Bouncers guard both the top and bottom of the stairway.

The one at the top smirks and says, “No breaking hearts tonight?”

“Me? I would never,” I lie. I like going to these places; they make me feel comfortable, and I know no matter what happens, I’m safe. I’m a party girl through and through, but the reality is, I’m still a woman, so it never hurts to be extra safe.

Hope pulls me in straight away, holding a drink in her hand that barely looks touched.

“You’re late,” she grumbles, and I know it’s most likely because her social battery is already dying. Even around just family and friends, she flickers out quickly.

“Fashionably late, right?” I ask, waving a hand down my new dress.

She shakes her head, trying not to smile. “Always. Billie ran off with Ford ten minutes ago, leaving me here by myself.” Pretty sure they’re fucking in some dark nook somewhere, or maybe his car. They seem to do that a lot.

“I’m going to miss her when she moves out,” I say wistfully. We’ve already started packing her things. And although I don’t see her that much with her job, and now that she’s with Ford, it’ll be different having the apartment entirely to myself. “Want to move in yet?” I ask Hope with a nudge.

She rolls her eyes. “I won’t be a consolation prize. Besides, I told you I’m looking for my own apartment.”

Which translates to she’s also fucking her detective nonstop and most likely going to move in with him soon. Everyone’s become a buzzkill. I’m happy for them, but I just don’t get it. I thought I was a ho, but it turns out that when they’ve got someone specifically for them, they’re at it all the time. I ponder the idea of having only one person, and the image in my mind becomes blurry. I can’t imagine it or what that person would look like to keep me hooked for long enough.

“Where’s Posie?” I ask, glancing over her shoulder at the others seated around and spotting her straight away.

She gives me an eye roll. “With Dutton.”

“I should’ve expected that since we’re technically here forhisbirthday.” All I care about is that it’s an excuse to hang with my girls.

When she steps to the side, Dutton and Eli stand from the leather booth in the corner. I see multiple bottles on the table and lick my lips with anticipation. Posie and Jewel are in a deep discussion in the back of the booth the guys just got up from.

“Happy birthday,” I say to Dutton, who offers me one of his charismatic smiles. They’ve always given me chills. Although he’s the older brother of one of my best friends, there’s always been something unsettling about Dutton. I know he’ll never hurt me, but his cold demeanor beneath those smiles is terrifying. For the life of me, I don’t know how Posie wore him down.

“Thank you. Now, I’m depending on you to get my wife very drunk tonight while my parents babysit,” he says, keeping that smile.

I angle my head, looking at Posie and Jewel, who each take a shot. “I don’t think she needs my help, but I can promise a good time nonetheless.” I salute him.

He joins Eli at the edge of the railing, overlooking the crowd. I hear him say to Eli, “I don’t even know half of these people. You put Hawke in charge, didn’t you?”

I smirk at that because although Dutton knows a lot of people, I imagine half of the business people he’s acquainted with have a pole up their asses. If they wanted a party, then Hawke is the person to go to.

Posie and Jewel finally spot us as we get closer to the booth. “You came,” Posie cheers, pulling me into a hug while Jewel nods her head and pours me a drink. Jewel is probably one of the deadliest women I have ever met. She is fucking great with a gun, and that’s saying something, considering I know Anya Ivanov. Jewel and Posie are the newest to the crew, and I likethem both, but it still baffles me how they were able to leash their murderous men.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say and accept the drink Jewel offers me.

“Still no Billie?” Jewel asks, trying to hide her smirk.

Hope shakes her head.

“Fifty bucks says they’re in his car. That’s where I first caught Ford and Billie in their ‘trying to keep the relationship a secret’ phase.”

“I found them coming out of my pantry,” Jewel adds with a smirk, and we all laugh as we take a sip of our drinks. I sigh as I let the music take over my body, acting as a natural relaxant. I can’t wait to dance the night away.

---